Youth Innovation Spirit
New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the unwavering determination of India’s Gen-Z, calling it the greatest strength of Viksit Bharat. Speaking during the 128th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister said that collective effort, confidence and the courage to rise after setbacks are essential qualities that guarantee success even in difficult times.
Modi reflected on the challenges faced by earlier generations, recalling an era when sailors navigated vast oceans without satellites, GPS or modern navigation systems. Imagine that era when there were no satellites, GPS or navigation facilities, even then our sailors would take large ships into the ocean and reach their destinations, he said. He added that while technology has advanced greatly, the core challenge of progress without external support remains relevant today.
The Prime Minister also shared an example from a recent ISRO drone competition that went viral on social media. He said the video captured the innovative spirit and resilience of India’s youth, particularly Gen-Z, as they attempted to fly drones in simulated Martian conditions.
In this video, the youth of our country, especially our Gen-Z, were trying to fly drones in conditions similar to those on Mars, he explained. The drones, built without GPS support—since GPS cannot function on Mars—had to operate solely through onboard cameras and software. The small drone had to identify the patterns on the ground, measure altitude, understand obstacles and find a safe landing path on its own, he said.
Modi noted that many of the drones crashed while attempting these tasks, but he emphasised that such failures reflect the spirit of experimentation and learning that drives innovation. According to him, the perseverance shown by the young participants embodies the qualities necessary for India’s continued progress in science, technology and nation-building.