‘Viksit Villages Are Foundation of Viksit Bharat’: PM Modi
Prime Minister urges youth to connect with border villages, says they are India's 'first villages' and key to nation-building
- PM Modi interacted with participants of the Viksit Vibrant Village Programme 2026.
- Says border villages are India’s “first villages” and pillars of a Viksit Bharat.
- Urges youth to promote border tourism and share their experiences widely.
- Highlights infrastructure growth and grassroots development in frontier regions.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 26th July: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said Viksit villages are the foundation of a Viksit Bharat, urging young people to strengthen their connection with India’s border regions and contribute to nation-building through grassroots engagement.
Interacting with participants of the Viksit Vibrant Village Programme 2026, the Prime Minister welcomed youth representatives from around 250 districts across the country and praised their participation in the initiative. He said the programme has instilled a deeper sense of national responsibility among the younger generation.
Modi highlighted the growing role of the MY Bharat platform, saying it has evolved into a nationwide youth movement with crores of participants contributing to initiatives such as the Viksit Bharat Dialogue and the Viksit Vibrant Village Programme.
Recalling the launch of the programme, the Prime Minister said over 400 youth were selected from nearly three lakh applicants to visit border villages in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. He said the initiative was aimed at helping young people understand life in frontier areas and experience the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat through cultural exchange.
Paying tribute to the armed forces on Kargil Vijay Diwas, Modi said the courage and sacrifices of soldiers continue to inspire the nation. He added that the experiences shared by participants reflected the patriotism and resilience of people living in border regions.
The Prime Minister said the government has changed its approach by treating border settlements as the “first villages” of India instead of the “last villages.” He said unprecedented investments in roads, electricity, tap water, gas connections and internet connectivity have transformed these areas and improved the lives of local residents.
Highlighting the economic impact of improved infrastructure, Modi said the Vibrant Village Programme has boosted tourism, expanded livelihood opportunities and encouraged education, particularly for women, while accelerating the overall development of frontier villages.
Calling the initiative a journey of national integration, the Prime Minister urged every participant to share their experiences with at least 100 other young people and encourage friends, families and educational institutions to visit border villages. He also appealed to the youth to promote local culture, tourism and products through authentic digital content.
Expressing confidence in India’s youth, Modi said their direct engagement with the country’s challenges and opportunities would play a decisive role in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
