NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the aim of 'Viksit Vibrant Village' programme was to let the youth of the country experience the cultural heritage, socio-economic landscape and the livelihood in the border villages, which have been prioritized, by the current dispensation, as the 'first villages' of India.
During a virtual interaction with participants of the Viksit Vibrant Village' programme, which saw participation from 250 districts across the country, PM Modi said: "A few years back, we had created 'Mera Yuva Bharat - My Bharat Manch', with which crores of youths from across the country have connected."
Praising the youth for their work, PM Modi said that the youngsters have displayed their might, right from 'Viksit Bharat Dialogue' to 'Viksit Vibrant Village' programme.
The Prime Minister said, "The thought was to physically connect the youth so that they get to increase their knowledge about the country. There are so many aspirations in India's villages to move towards development."
He emphasised that the sentiment amongst the border villages is to prioritise the nation over any facility.
"So, the aim was to let youth from across the country travel to villages in Himachal, Uttarakhand and Ladakh to order to know about their lifestyle, eating habits, culture and livelihood and also about their challenges," PM Modi said.
Further, he stated that the programme also aimed to know about the residents of the country's first villages, their thoughts on the country's security and connection with people belonging to other parts of the country.
"Our goal was to make our youth experience this," PM Modi said while praising the enthusiasm of the youngsters during the course of the programme.
PM Modi said that three lakh youths participated in the contest, out of whom more than 400 were selected.
He further appreciated the participants for spending time with those residing in border villages, making themselves a part of the village community and aligning themselves and their lifestyle, with that of the villagers.
"There can be no bigger example of 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat' than this" he added.
PM Modi said that the programme is particularly special for him as he too had the opportunity to visit border villages, before entering politics and governance.
Referring to his meeting with soldiers at border areas, he said: "Even after being a part of the government, I still try to visit the border areas."
Referring to the experiences of the participants, he said: "Everybody had vastly different and great experiences."
The Prime Minister asserted that the work towards building a 'Viksit Bharat' is constantly going on and "youth have a major role to play in this.
"Youth strengthen the aspiration to live and work for the country," he said.
Moreover, he highlighted that despite regular challenges, residents in border areas live up to the idea of patriotism everyday.
PM Modi stated, "Till few years back, even basic facilities weren't present in those villages. We should be proud that despite that there has never been a dearth in their patriotic spirit."
He underlined that the government had declared the border villages as the first villages of India, "which are also the first to receive the day's sunlight."
