The new year and the decade will be the time when India’s millennials will start contributing to the nation, Prime minister Narendra Modi has said in the outgoing year’s last broadcast of his radio address, ‘Mann ki Baat’.

“Our new generation is an embodiment, a reflection of a new system, a new order, a new age, a new thought. Today, India eagerly awaits this generation expectantly. These are the very people who have to elevate the country to greater heights,” Modi said on Sunday.

He began by saying, “The moment to bid adieu to 2019 is round the corner, knocking at our doors! In a matter of just three days, not only will 2019 wave good-bye to us; we shall usher ourselves into a new year and a new decade; the third decade of the 21st century!”
 
One thing is certain about the new decade, he said, “it will witness the active contribution of those who were born in the 21st century, in the country’s progress; these are people who are growing up, understanding the significant issues pertaining to this century. The young people are known by myriad terms. For some they are millennials; others call them generation Z or Gen Zee too; and, broadly speaking, one thing that has captured the collective psyche is that this is the ‘Social Media Generation’.”

Praising the youth of the nation, Modi added, “All of us experience that this generation is extremely talented. It thrives on the dream to do something new, something different. It has its own set of opinions. And the best part is; especially in the case of India; according to me, they appreciate the system. Not just that, they prefer to follow the system. And in the event of the system not responding properly, they get restless and even courageously question the system itself! I consider this attribute as a virtue.”

The PM said the country’s youth detests anarchy of any sort. “They despise any element of lack of governance and instability; abhorring any shades of nepotism, casteism, favouritism or gender discrimination. There are times when we see them at an airport or a cinema theatre; if someone tries to break a queue, the first to react vociferously are these young people. And we have noticed; if such an incident takes place, the youth present around make a video of it on their mobile phones, which goes viral within no time! And the culprit instantly realizes the consequence.”

He quoted Swami Vivekanand who had observed, “My faith is in the younger generation, the modern generation; out of them will come my workers.” Further, he exhorted the youth to give thought to their responsibility on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand on January 12, which is celebrated as National Youth Day.

He concluded the address by alluding to the spirit of the times, as one year ends and another begins. “New Year, new decade, new resolutions, new energy, new enthusiasm, new zeal – come let's move forth. Let's enable ourselves to fulfill our resolutions. We have to walk far, we have to achieve a lot; we have to take our country to new heights. Let’s show immense faith in the pursuits, the abilities and the resolve of 130 crore countrymen, and come – let's move forth.”