Jaipur, March 17 (NationPress) Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma highlighted that the youth represent the nation’s most significant asset, pointing out that India boasts one of the largest youth demographics globally.

He stated that by effectively channeling their energy and skills, the country could establish itself as a global powerhouse.

The Chief Minister emphasized the pivotal role of youth in realizing the dream of a Developed India - Developed Rajasthan, reiterating the government's dedication to meeting their aspirations.

He urged young individuals to strive for excellence, promising them comprehensive governmental support.

Sharma made these remarks during the Rajasthan Yuva Shakti Diwas event, held as part of the Rajasthan Diwas celebrations at Tagore International School, Mansarovar, on Tuesday.

He acknowledged that the integration of the princely states of Rajputana was accomplished through the endeavors of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, affectionately known as the “Iron Man of India”.

He recalled that on March 30, 1949, aligned with Chaitra Shukla Pratipada of the Indian New Year and under the auspices of Revati Nakshatra and Indra Yoga, the concept of “Greater Rajasthan” (Brihad Rajasthan) was born.

This historic context underpins the celebration of Rajasthan Diwas on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, which will take place statewide on March 19 this year.

The Chief Minister remarked that since 2014, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has experienced transformative growth.

He underscored the Prime Minister’s focus on elevating the status of farmers, youth, women, and laborers, noting various welfare schemes that have bolstered India's global reputation.

He further highlighted the emergence of a vibrant startup ecosystem that provides young people with opportunities to innovate.

Sharma presented several significant initiatives in the 2026-27 Budget aimed at empowering youth. These initiatives include interest-free loans for 5,000 tribal youth under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Swarozgar Yojana; the establishment of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Global Centre for Advanced Skilling in Jaipur; the creation of ICT laboratories in 50 polytechnic colleges; and the promotion of district-specific products through the One District, One Product initiative.

He mentioned the positive outcomes of economic reforms and improvements in the Ease of Doing Business, with Rajasthan’s per capita income exceeding Rs 2 lakh for the first time.

Focusing on development for the future, the Chief Minister indicated that the government is fast-tracking essential water projects, including the Ramjal Setu Link Project, the Dewas Project, the Yamuna Water Agreement, the Indira Gandhi Nahar Project (IGNP), and the Ganganahar and Mahi Project.

He also noted significant enhancements in the power sector, with 22 districts currently benefiting from daytime electricity.

The government aims to extend this service statewide by 2027. He reiterated the government’s Youth Policy, which encourages entrepreneurship, asserting that young people should aspire to be job creators rather than just job seekers.

He revealed that stringent measures have been implemented to combat examination paper leaks, including the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has led to the apprehension of 420 individuals.

He contrasted this with past challenges, emphasizing the government’s commitment to transparency.

The government has set ambitious employment objectives, targeting 400,000 jobs in the public sector and 600,000 in the private sector. To date, 125,000 appointments have been made, recruitment for 133,000 posts is in progress, and a calendar for over 100,000 additional vacancies has been published.

Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore stated that under the Chief Minister’s guidance, significant strides have been made in empowering youth, ensuring recruitment transparency, and expanding opportunities for investment, employment, and startups.

During the event, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 485 crore across various sectors, including education, skill development, entrepreneurship, and sports.