Youth of Today Have Open Sky of Aspirations, Says Rajnath Singh

In an inspiring address to the "Super-100" winners of Project Veer Gatha 3.0, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declared that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the nation has transformed, offering its youth an "open sky of aspirations."

Speaking alongside Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the Defence Minister acknowledged the past limitations imposed by resource constraints. "Today," he declared, "the scenario has changed. Youth who yearn to soar high now have an unhindered expanse of aspirations. It's our duty to nurture these budding nation builders."

Rajnath Singh shared insights on "spiritual strength" with the students, emphasizing its critical role alongside physical, mental, and intellectual faculties in achieving any desired outcome. He described spiritual awakening as the gateway to true bliss, accessible only to those with hearts overflowing with generosity.

Through student representatives, the Defence Minister emphasized the crucial role youth will play in realizing Prime Minister Modi's vision of a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) by 2047. "They are the architects of our future, the ones who will shoulder the responsibilities of a flourishing nation," he affirmed.

Sharing his vision for Project Veer Gatha, Rajnath Singh described it as a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Defence and Education to instill the values of "Nation First" in young minds. He lauded the addition of a chapter on the National War Memorial and its heroes in the NCERT curriculum for Class VII, stating, "Our mission is to cultivate awareness of our soldiers' bravery in children, inspiring them to embrace courage and valor."

Quoting the proverb "What I hear, I forget. What I see, I remember. What I do, I understand," the Defence Minister highlighted the importance of experiential learning.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan echoed this sentiment, praising Project Veer Gatha for its unique ability to inspire the younger generation by showcasing the sacrifices of our gallant heroes.

Each of the 100 "Super-100" winners received a cash prize of Rs 10,000, a medal, and a certificate. The event also featured a stirring keynote address by Param Vir Chakra awardee Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav (Retd). He recounted his own experiences from the Kargil war, urging the students to draw inspiration from the sacrifices made by our brave soldiers.

Several dignitaries, including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, and senior officials from both ministries, graced the occasion.

Project Veer Gatha 3.0 witnessed remarkable participation, with a record-breaking 1.36 crore students from over 2.42 lakh schools across India submitting entries in the form of essays, poems, drawings, and multimedia presentations. After rigorous evaluations at state and district levels, nearly 3,900 entries were shortlisted for national-level assessment. Ultimately, a committee appointed by the Ministry of Education selected the top 100 entries, ensuring representation from all categories (Class 3rd to 12th) and across various states, including a noteworthy 65 girl students.