Addressing the 116th Episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on 24th November 2024 which is also the 76th Raising Day of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the youth of the country to the organization in maximum numbers.  “You will notice that no matter what career you choose, NCC will help you a lot in personality development,” he said.

Reminiscing his days as an NCC Cadet, the Prime Minister said that the experiences gained from it is invaluable and stated “NCC instills a spirit of discipline, leadership and service in the youth.” He also noted the increase in the number of cadets from 14 lakh in 2014 to 20 lakh in 2024 and highlighted that the number of girl cadets in NCC has risen to almost 40% in 2024 compared to around 25% a decade back.

Further, PM Modi asserted that efforts are being undertaken continuously to strengthen NCC in the country and to connect more youth residing along the border.

In the 116th Episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’, the Prime Minister also announced that the ‘Vikasit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue’ will be organised at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi on 11-12 January 2025 to commemorate the 162nd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda which falls on 12th January and is celebrated as ‘Youth Day’ in the country.

He informed that crores of youth from all over India will come together and deliberate upon the country’s future journey, positively, concrete paths emerge. Two thousand such youth selected from villages, blocks, districts, states will gather at Bharat Mandapam for the ‘Vikasit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue’, he added. He also said that special campaigns will be run to connect youths with no political background to politics.

The Prime Minister informed that experts from the country and abroad, and national and international personalities will take part at the event. He therefore invited and encouraged the youth to grab the opportunity to build the future of India. “Come, let us build the country together, make the country developed,” he stated.