By Prof. (Dr.) Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit
Last week marked a pivotal moment as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a groundbreaking initiative titled “Viksit Bharat@2047: Voice of Youth”. This initiative sounded a resounding call to action for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and students, providing the youth with a platform to contribute their ideas to the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
This initiative stands out as the most thrilling and ambitious among all the endeavours in the recent decades. The palpable excitement, keen interest, and burgeoning hopes since its launch in less than ten days ago attest to its significance. This is indeed an excellent example of participatory democratic development by involving all the stakeholders. One might enquire about the reasons fuelling this fervour, and the answer lies in several compelling factors.
However, three stand out and demand our utmost attention: First, amid the multifaceted transformations that India, as a nation and a civilization, is currently undergoing on both local and global fronts, this is the time, the right time (Yahi Samay hai, Sahi Samay hai) for such an initiative. Deliberately acknowledging the profound significance of “Amrit Kaal,” the initiative resonates with a compelling sense of urgency and opportunity.
PM Modi underscored that India now stands where the world observes it with awe and scrutiny as it ascends the ladder of achievements and approaches its independence centenary. This reality adds a layer of responsibility to every citizen, particularly the youth. The explicit encouragement to the youth to actively engage in the Viksit Bharat initiative and share their suggestions through the Ideas Portal reflects a deep commitment to inclusivity and incorporating diverse perspectives.
As the Prime Minister rightly emphasized, the vision for Viksit Bharat should be a collective effort shaped by every citizen. The success of this initiative hinges on the combined endeavours of all, aptly encapsulated by the mantra, “Sabka Prayas” (everyone’s efforts). Second, this vision is not just a superficial aspiration, as we have seen with numerous plans since India’s independence.
It is a meticulously crafted strategy with precise details and modalities that are genuinely actionable, significantly increasing the likelihood of its promises turning into successful outcomes. How can one discern this? Consider the stakeholders involved; it is not a random assortment like students or teachers, as seen in many past government policies. Instead, the initiative identifies four key stakeholders: administration, academic institutions, teachers, and students.
While the onus rightfully rests on the shoulders of the youth, the recognition of administration and academic institutions as stakeholders signifies the government’s understanding. It acknowledges that to bring about a substantial difference in the conduct of students and teachers, fostering innovation and excellence requires mechanisms, processes, and, most importantly, a platform.
This might appear as a simple or intuitive observation to some, but a closer examination of higher education policies and legislation reveals how rare such comprehensiveness in planning has been. Another testament to the excellence of this initiative is the launch’s adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) prepared for universities, colleges, and students.
This ensures that it is not all rhetoric and platitudes but a call to action. Universities and university-level institutions are designated as anchors, serving as the focal point for the government. They must appoint a dedicated team to promote, organize, disseminate information, and mobilize students for this initiative.
The government outlines four clear interventions: They are firstly, raising awareness through workshops, organizing fests involving debates and events, and leveraging existing alumni networks and networked engagement through email groups for swift dissemination. Secondly, developing the requisite infrastructure through dedicated feedback loops in libraries and labs, establishing “Viksit Bharat Ideation Centres,” and allocating specific slots for students to submit feedback.
Thirdly, ensuring holistic participation through wide circulation of forms, recognition of student clubs, including NCC and NSS, and certification. Lastly, tracking progress through daily reports and implementing monitoring and accountability measures. This comprehensive approach sets Viksit Bharat@2047 apart, promising tangible and impactful results.
Third, the initiative underscores a crucial yet underemphasized facet—elevating higher educational institutions to unprecedented prominence and ambition. Throughout the post-Independence era, successive governments have endeavoured to introduce structures, regulations, and initiatives within the higher education sector.
However, the limelight has consistently eluded higher education, overshadowed by the pressing concerns of primary and secondary education. While the dearth of attention on primary education may explain this discrepancy, it has persisted for decades without serious rectification.
This oversight led external observers to infer that higher education did not hold a prime position on India’s list of priorities. Enter the Modi government and a paradigm shift in perspective occurs. This administration not only comprehends but boldly asserts that higher education is a challenging yet integral cornerstone of the country’s development as a global juggernaut of ideas, innovation, and strength.
Whether it is the establishment of AIIMS facilities nationwide, representing the apex of medical education, or the proliferation of IITs (engineering) and IIMs (management), the government’s impetus and vision are crystal clear—higher education is paramount for India’s growth as it aspires to ascend to the mantle of a world leader. To conclude, the launch of Viksit Bharat@2047 marks a transformative initiative bringing students and higher learning to the forefront of India’s developmental landscape.
With an explicit call to action for higher education institutions (HEIs) and students, this strategic and actionable plan resonates with urgency and opportunity, symbolized by the acknowledgement of “Amrit Kaal.” The comprehensive approach, involving critical stakeholders like administration, academic institutions, teachers, and students, demonstrates a profound commitment to inclusivity and innovation, positioning higher education as a pivotal driver for India’s ascent to global leadership. The Prime Minister has taken us from rule-takers to be ruleshapers, and in 2047, India will move from rule shapers to rule-makers.
#ViksitBharat@2047
Originally Published : The Sunday Guardian, 24th December'2023
Posted in SIS Blog with the Authorisation of the Author
Prof. (Dr.) Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit is Vice Chancellor of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.