PM’s pitch to youth earns praise but not all convinced

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s youth-oriented announcements, including AI skilling and free online coaching, at the Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort on Saturday drew praise from many young attendees.

Chennai residents Prabakaran and Rudreshwar, who are part of a microchip fabrication project supported by the NITI Aayog, praised the push to include young people in science and technology. “The announcement about the government providing AI training to students is appreciable. It will help the growth of AI-based products and create a talent pool of skilled people needed to bring about an AI revolution in the tech industry,” said Mr. Prabakaran. Both were in the Capital for their project and were first-time attendees at the Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort.

Regarding the PM’s speech, Mr. Rudreshwar said, “It would have been easier if other visitors also had access to the audio equipment provided to foreign dignitaries for translation of the speech.”

Some also viewed Mr. Modi’s announcements against the backdrop of the youth-led protest at Jantar Mantar last month.

‘Paper leaks happen’

Seema Chaudhary, who attended the event for the first time with her two children, lauded the PM’s announcements.

Referring to the agitation over the NEET paper leak, she said young people should rise above such issues and focus on building their lives.

“The youth should rise above paper leaks and focus on doing well in life. Paper leaks happen in every government’s tenure. Students have to work hard even if it means appearing for the exams multiple times or choosing a different path in life,” said Ms. Chaudhary, adding, “I would advise my children the same.”

However, not everyone shared her views.

Outside the venue, Sachin stood with vials of saffron, white and green, ready to paint visitors’ faces in the Tricolour for a small fee. “I have appeared for police and clerical-level job exams. But I couldn’t succeed, so I turned to vegetable vending. If everything in the country is so good, why do people like me from marginalised sections struggle for education and jobs?” he said.

Mr. Sachin, a Dalit, blamed the “bureaucracy’s stranglehold” over the employment and education sectors for the struggle of those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Regarding the announcements on free online coaching, he said, “It would help only if the scheme’s benefits actually reach the masses.”