New Delhi, March 10 Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that the aspirations of India's youth are the country's "greatest asset", emphasizing that their drive to innovate and contribute is a key strength for the nation's future.
Speaking at a post-budget webinar on Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana, Modi said that the new tradition of such consultations reflects the powerful example of "jan bhagidari (public participation)". They bring together experts, stakeholders, and beneficiaries to offer practical ideas for the effective implementation of the Union Budget, he said.
"India's greatest strength today lies in the aspirations of its youth – from villages, towns, and cities – who seek to innovate and contribute meaningfully to the nation's future," Modi said.
According to an official statement, the prime minister said that as India moves towards an innovation-driven economy, the country must continuously modernize its education system to unlock this potential.
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar said that the announcement of Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana in the Union Budget aims to strengthen employment-linked skill development for persons with disabilities, adding that partnerships among government, industry, and civil society will be key to ensuring dignified employment opportunities.
Experts at the webinar emphasized that market-linked skills for persons with disabilities should align community aspirations with industry demand and integrate them into mainstream education, STEM learning, and employment ecosystems.
The discussion highlighted the importance of inclusive hiring, accessible training tools, entrepreneurship, digital platforms, and AI-enabled remote work opportunities, the statement said.
Concluding the session, Additional Secretary in the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Manmeet Kaur Nanda, said that the deliberations underscored the need for skilling initiatives that are demand-driven, accessible, and closely linked to employment outcomes.
The webinar was held on March 9 at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre and focused on building a demand-driven, industry-linked skilling ecosystem, with special attention to rural areas and specialized vocational training through centers of excellence.
Meanwhile, a separate post-budget webinar on Divyang Sahara Yojana was also held on March 9. Experts highlighted a four-pillar framework during the session – aspiration, availability, affordability, and awareness – to expand the reach of assistive technologies through collaboration among government, start-ups, academia, and investors, the statement said.
Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment B L Verma said that under the leadership of the prime minister, the government has adopted a transformative approach towards disability inclusion by moving beyond welfare to partnership in nation-building.
Guided by the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas', the government is expanding accessibility, opportunities, and participation for persons with disabilities, he said.
He noted that the proposed Divyang Sahara Yojana aims to strengthen the manufacturing, innovation, and distribution ecosystem for assistive technologies, ensuring timely access to quality devices while positioning India as a potential global hub for affordable assistive technology.
