My Bharat: A Decade of Youth Empowerment in the Amritkaal Era

The last decade has witnessed remarkable progress in empowering the youth of Bharat for the Amritkaal era, a time of prosperity and growth. The government has implemented various steps and policies aimed at empowering the youth and creating job opportunities. Let’s delve into ten significant measures taken by the government to empower the youth and the resulting job creation.

Mera Yuva Bharat – The My Bharat platform launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on National Unity Day 2023 resembles the vision of ‘Shashakt Yuva, Samarth Bharat’ for Viksit Bharat in 2047. It envisions increased youth development and youth’s engagement in democracy by community interaction, mentoring programs, etc. it is one of its kind ‘Phygital Platform’ (physical + digital) comprising physical activity along with an opportunity to connect digitally. It will enable the youth to play a vital role in nation building during amrit kaal, bring the youth from diverse background on a single platform to consolidate the ‘Yuva Shakti’ and engage the youth with accessible and tech-friendly platform. It will create a youth ecosystem that will create youth leadership for the society in Amrit Kaal for a Viksit Bharat.

1. Skill Development Initiatives

The government of Bharat has prioritised skill development to enhance the employability of the youth. Initiatives such as Skill India MissionThe Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship has received a total budget of Rs 3,517.31 crore — up from last year’s Rs 2,999 crore.Of the total Rs 3,517.31 crore, the majority — Rs 2,278.37 crore — has been allocated to the Skill India program. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), and National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) have been instrumental in providing skill training to millions of young individuals, making them job-ready and bridging the skill gap.

2. Entrepreneurship Promotion

To encourage youth entrepreneurship, the government launched the Start-up India In the Budget 2022-23, the government allocated Rs 283.5 crore for the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, which was higher than the Revised Estimates of about Rs 100 crore in the previous budget. It provides various incentives, tax benefits, and funding opportunities to aspiring entrepreneurs. Additionally, the Stand-Up India scheme focuses on empowering women and individuals from marginalised communities to start their own businesses, fostering a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

3. Digital Transformation

The Digital India : The government has approved an extension of the Digital India project, valued at over Rs 14,900 crore, spanning five years from 2021-2022 onwards. This continuation builds upon the groundwork laid by the preceding iteration of the initiative. As part of this programme, approximately 5.25 lakh information and technology (IT) professionals are slated for reskilling and up-skilling, while another 2.65 lakh individuals will undergo IT training within the country.Campaign has played a pivotal role in transforming Bharat into a digitally empowered society. This initiative has not only provided access to digital technologies but has also created employment opportunities in the IT sector, digital services, and e-governance. The rapid growth of digital infrastructure has opened new avenues for the youth to explore and excel in the digital economy.

4. Make in India

Launched with the aim of transforming Bharat into a global manufacturing hub, the Make in India campaign has generated numerous job opportunities. By attracting foreign investment and promoting domestic industries, this initiative has bolstered the manufacturing sector and created employment prospects for the youth.

5. Infrastructure Development

The government’s focus on infrastructure development has created a ripple effect of job creation. Initiatives such as the construction of roads, railways, airports, and smart cities have not only improved connectivity and quality of life but also generated employment opportunities in the construction and allied sectors.The Modi government has spent Rs 91 lakh crore on social sector programmes and infrastructure development over the last eight years, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted citing a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report.

6. Financial Inclusion

Policies promoting financial inclusion, such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, More than 500 million Indians have opened accounts under the government’s flagship financial inclusion scheme – the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) – since its inception nine years ago, accounting for Rs 2.03 lakh crore in deposits till August 18, 2023.have been instrumental in providing banking services to the unbanked population. This has enabled the youth to access financial services, avail loans, and participate in economic activities, thereby empowering them to become financially independent.

7. Education Reforms

The government has implemented several education reforms to enhance the quality of education and equip the youth with relevant skills. Initiatives like the National Education Policy (NEP) focus on holistic development, vocational training, and digital literacy, ensuring that the youth are well-prepared for the job market and future challenges.

Some significant achievements made after the announcement of NEP 2020 for the past 3 years is as under:-

i. PM SHRI for upgradation of schools, Under PM SHRI, Rs. 630 Crore were released as first instalment to selected 6207 schools, out of more than 14500 PM SHRI Schools; with total cost of Rs. 27360 crore spread over a period of 5 years with central share of Rs. 18128 crore.

ii. National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat) for ensuring foundational literacy and numeracy by the end of Grade 3;

iii. Vidya-Pravesh–Guidelines for Three-month Play-based School Preparation Module;

iv. PM e-VIDYA to unify all efforts related to digital/online/on-air education:

v. DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing) as One Nation One Digital Platform having e-Books and e-Contents,

vi. Launch of National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (NCF FS) and Jadui Pitara for play-based learning teaching material tailored for children between the age group of 3 to 8 years;

vii. NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement) 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 Integrated Teacher Training Programme for different stages of school education for Teachers, Head Teachers/Principals and other stakeholders in Educational Management;

viii. National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR) for creating a unifying national digital infrastructure to energise and catalyse the education ecosystem;

ix. Implementation of a scheme “New India Literacy Programme or ULLAS” targeting all non-literates age 15 years and above.

x. National Credit Framework (NCrF) and National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF);

xi. Academic Bank of Credit to facilitate Transfer of Credits;

xii. Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programme;

xiii. Multiple Entry and Exit in Academic Programme offered by Higher Education Institution;

xiv. Transforming Higher Education Institutions into multi-disciplinary Institutions;

xv. Pursuing two Academic Programme simultaneously;

xvi. Revised regulation of ODL / Online Education permitting upto 40% credits of courses using SWAYAM platform;

xvii. Guidelines on Professor of Practice to enable HEIs to work with industry experts;

xviii. Regulations on Academic Collaboration between Indian & foreign HEIs;

xix. Regulations on conferment of Autonomous Status to colleges;

xx. Guidelines for admission & supernumerary seats for students from abroad in UG & PG in Indian HEIs;

xxi. Regulations on Minimum Standards and procedures for award of Ph.D. degree.

xxii. Guidelines for Incorporating Indian Knowledge in Higher Education Curricula;

xxiii. Guidelines for Training/Orientation of Faculty on Indian Knowledge System (IKS);

xxiv. Guidelines for the introduction of courses based on Indian heritage and culture;

xxv. Guidelines for Empanelment of Artists/Artisans–in–Residence in Higher Educational Institutions;

xxvi. 32 IKS centres have been set up to catalyse original research, education and dissemination of IKS; 64 high end inter-disciplinary research like ancient metallurgy, ancient town planning and water resource management, ancient rasayanshastra etc. projects are undergoing. Around 3227 internships on IKS have been offered.

The information was given by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Subhas Sarkar in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on dated : August 07,2023

8. Start-up and Innovation Support

Apart from Start-up India, the government has launched various schemes and incubation centres to nurture innovation and support start-ups. These initiatives provide mentorship, funding opportunities, and a conducive environment for young entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into successful ventures, fostering a culture of innovation and job creation.

9. Rural Development Programs

To empower the youth in rural areas, the government has implemented programs like the MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act). These initiatives provide employment opportunities and skill training in rural areas, reducing migration and creating sustainable livelihoods for the youth in their own communities.

10. Industry-Academia Collaboration

Efforts to strengthen the collaboration between industries and academia have been instrumental in bridging the skill gap and enhancing employability. The government has encouraged partnerships between educational institutions and industries to align curriculum with industry requirements, provide internships, and facilitate knowledge exchange, ensuring that the youth are industry-ready.

These ten steps and policies implemented by the government of Bharat have not only empowered the youth but also resulted in significant job creation, fostering a favourable environment for economic growth and prosperity. As the nation moves forward in the Amritkaal era, it is crucial to sustain and build upon these efforts to continue empowering the youth and unlocking their potential for a brighter future

India is aggressively pushing for a semiconductor industry in India. India has several advantages that make it a promising destination for semiconductor innovation and production, such as:

A vast and burgeoning market potential, with a projected domestic semiconductor consumption expected to cross $ 80 billion by 20261.

A strong talent pool and design engineering prowess, which can propel semiconductor developments and encourage domestic chip design skills2.

A supportive government policy framework, which provides incentives, tax exemptions, and relaxed regulations for semiconductor manufacturing3.

India also has some recent achievements in the semiconductor industry, such as:

The announcement of the construction of India’s first semiconductor fabrication plant by the Israel-based International Semiconductor Consortium in February 20232.

The investment by Vedanta and FoxConn in building semiconductor and display production plants in the state of Gujarat, with a total value of $ 19.5 billion2.

These developments reflect India’s increasing focus on domestic semiconductor manufacturing and its ambition to establish a strong presence in the global semiconductor supply chains.

Conclusion :

In conclusion, the past decade has been a transformative period for youth empowerment in Bharat, as the nation strides confidently into the Amritkaal era of prosperity and growth. The government’s multifaceted approach to empowering the youth has not only bridged skill gaps and fostered entrepreneurship but has also created a substantial number of job opportunities across various sectors. From skill development initiatives to rural employment programs, and from digital transformation to industry-academia collaboration, these ten significant measures have laid the foundation for a brighter future.

Furthermore, India’s ambitious foray into the semiconductor industry signifies its unwavering commitment to innovation and self-reliance. With a burgeoning market, a skilled talent pool, and strong government support, India is poised to make significant strides in semiconductor manufacturing, further contributing to the nation’s economic growth and technological advancement.

As Bharat continues its journey into the Amritkaal era, it is imperative to sustain and build upon these efforts. Nurturing the youth, promoting innovation, and strengthening industry-academia collaboration will be key to unlocking the full potential of India’s youth, ensuring a prosperous and promising future for the nation on the global stage. India’s path to empowerment and self-sufficiency is firmly set, and the journey ahead is one of boundless possibilities and opportunities.