Viksit Bharat is a certain destination, Not a Dream

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, during his interaction with the students, faculty, and staff of Pondicherry University, underscored that “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) is not just an aspirational goal but a definite destination, driven by the strength of a robust knowledge economy. He emphasized that youth and students are key stakeholders in this national mission and must be at the forefront of India’s transformational journey.

Highlighting the foundational role of education, the Vice President called it a “great equaliser” capable of dismantling social and economic inequities. However, he cautioned against the growing commodification and commercialisation of education, urging a return to value-based learning rooted in the traditional Gurukul system—an ancient Indian model where knowledge was imparted in close-knit, mentor-disciple environments. He called upon corporates, businesses, and industries to invest more actively in the educational sector, particularly through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, to establish greenfield institutes of global eminence—i.e., new institutions developed from scratch with international standards in mind.

Mr. Dhankhar also drew attention to India’s thriving startup ecosystem, noting the country’s pride in being a global leader in unicorns—privately held startups valued at over $1 billion. He said the landscape is rapidly expanding, offering new opportunities in domains like the blue economy (sustainable use of ocean resources), space economy, innovation, and research. Affirmative governance, along with youth-centric policies, is helping young entrepreneurs launch ventures with confidence. He encouraged students to break out of silos—rigid academic or social boundaries—that limit vision, and instead take advantage of emerging prospects.

Praising the National Education Policy (NEP) as the best in the world, the Vice President appreciated its flexibility, which enables students to pursue multiple disciplines simultaneously and maximize their talent, time, and potential. He appealed to the few states that have not yet adopted the NEP to do so, and urged universities to conduct workshops to familiarise students with the policy’s provisions and benefits.

As the world undergoes rapid shifts driven by technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, and blockchain, Mr. Dhankhar noted that India is keeping pace through bold initiatives like quantum computing and the Green Hydrogen Mission—a national effort to develop clean and sustainable hydrogen energy. Declaring India as the “most aspirational nation in the world,” he credited this spirit to the country’s transformative governance over the past decade.

Concluding his address, the Vice President highlighted five guiding principles drawn from India’s civilizational ethos: social harmony, family enlightenment, environmental consciousness, self-reliance, and civic responsibility. These principles, he said, must continue to inspire the youth and the nation as it marches toward a developed and empowered future.