Youth Energy and Creativity Will Drive Developed India and Developed Chhattisgarh: Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai
Chief Minister Emphasises Youth Participation in Nation-Building at High-Level MY Bharat Review Meeting
Raipur, August 18, 2026/
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai chaired the state-level review meeting of Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) at Mahanadi Bhawan on August 18 and reviewed its activities in detail. He directed officials to connect more youth across Chhattisgarh with the platform and create opportunities for their active participation in programmes and activities of various government departments.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that India is one of the youngest countries in the world, and the energy, talent, creativity and innovative potential of its youth constitute the greatest strength in building a Developed India. To realise the vision of a Developed Chhattisgarh alongside a Developed India, young people must be provided opportunities aligned with their interests and capabilities, and actively involved in nation-building. Participation in social and community activities, he said, will develop leadership qualities, a spirit of service, social responsibility and dedication towards the nation.
The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, efforts are being made to bring every young person into the mainstream of development and make them active partners in nation-building. MY Bharat has been developed as a comprehensive platform for this purpose. He said today’s digitally connected youth have a global outlook, innovative thinking, and the ability to adapt rapidly to change, and that their potential must be channelled through appropriate guidance, opportunities, and platforms.
Youth to Get Opportunities Across Sectors
Chief Minister Shri Sai directed officials to expand youth participation through MY Bharat in areas such as health, sanitation, education, sports, environmental conservation, civic awareness, history, tourism, skill development, agriculture, technical education, disaster management and social welfare. Such participation, he said, will provide young people with practical experience while enabling society to benefit from their energy and creativity.
Under the vision of ‘Empowered Youth–Empowered Chhattisgarh’, the Chief Minister called for a strong youth network from the village to the state level. He said identifying talent, providing appropriate opportunities and developing leadership platforms should remain priorities. Activities promoting service, social engagement, community responsibility and digital detox should also be encouraged.
Over 6.60 Lakh Youth from Chhattisgarh Registered on MY Bharat
The meeting was informed that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched Mera Yuva Bharat on October 31, 2023, as a digital and physical platform connecting young people with government, society and nation-building activities. More than 2.65 crore youth are currently registered nationwide, including over 6.60 lakh from Chhattisgarh.
MY Bharat is being developed as a single-window digital platform offering information on volunteering, experiential learning, skill development, leadership and nation-building opportunities. The MY Bharat app has also been developed to make these opportunities more accessible.
More than 24,900 Experiential Learning Programmes (ELPs) conducted nationwide have provided practical exposure to over 1.21 lakh youth. In Chhattisgarh, 2,389 youth have participated in 233 ELPs.
Similarly, more than 10 lakh youth nationwide have participated in service activities through over 1.53 lakh volunteering opportunities. In Chhattisgarh, over 23,900 youth have participated through 5,778 volunteer opportunities. More than 65 lakh youth across the country have also participated in quiz modules aimed at increasing awareness about Central Government schemes and programmes.
Focus on Viksit Chhattisgarh Young Leaders Dialogue
Chief Minister Shri Sai described the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue as an important initiative for developing youth leadership. The meeting was informed that more than 30 lakh participants took part in the initiative in 2025, with a multi-level selection process designed to ensure fair, transparent and merit-based selection.
Detailed discussions were held on organising a ‘Viksit Chhattisgarh Young Leaders Dialogue’ to increase youth participation in sports, health, panchayat and rural development, technical education, skill development, social welfare, urban administration, disaster management, tourism and agriculture.
The meeting also reviewed initiatives such as the Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament, Viksit Vibrant Village Programme, Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect, Youth Icon, Viksit Bharat Padyatra, Sardar@150 Padyatra and ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’ aimed at strengthening youth participation and leadership.
Special Focus on Connecting Bastar’s Youth with MY Bharat
The Chief Minister laid special emphasis on expanding MY Bharat activities among the youth of Bastar. He said the region is leaving behind the period of Naxal violence and fear and moving towards a new era of peace, trust and development, making it particularly important to connect its young people with opportunities for nation-building.
Shri Sai said that association with MY Bharat will strengthen their confidence, recognise their talent, and open avenues for progress according to their abilities. Development and new opportunities are now reaching even remote areas of Bastar, while initiatives such as the Bastar Olympics and Bastar Pandum have provided platforms for young people to showcase their sporting talent, art and culture. MY Bharat should similarly enable them to participate and assume leadership roles across diverse fields.
The Chief Minister said providing suitable opportunities to the talented youth of Bastar and making them active partners in the development of Chhattisgarh and the country remains a priority.
During the meeting, a photograph of tribal art created by MY Bharat volunteer Aditi was presented to Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai. The Chief Minister appreciated her creative talent.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Sao, Chief Secretary Shri Vikas Sheel, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Rahul Bhagat, Sports and Youth Welfare Department Secretary Shri Yashwant Kumar, Director Smt. Tanuja Salam, MY Bharat CEO Dr Priyanka Shukla, Special Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Rajat Bansal, and state- and district-level officials of MY Bharat were present at the meeting.
