New Delhi, Feb 7 (NationPress) Participants of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026 on Saturday commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, asserting that the insights and ideas contributed by the nation’s youth were evident in the Union Budget 2026.

Various attendees noted that the aspirations, policy recommendations, and developmental strategies shared by young Indians during the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026 seemed to have significantly impacted key elements of the Union Budget 2026–27, underscoring the growing importance of youth involvement in policymaking.

Aman Hembrom, a participant from Ranchi, mentioned that the dialogue represented the unified voice of the youth rather than just personal opinions.

In an interview with IANS, he remarked, "This was not merely my individual perspective; it was the collective sentiment of the youth of a Viksit Bharat. When we presented our ideas to PM Modi, our suggestions received appreciation. When the youth begins to engage and take charge, the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 transforms into a commitment and a belief."

Hembrom elaborated on the sense of belonging young Indians possess towards the long-term national vision.

"The aspiration for Viksit Bharat by 2047 is ours. We observe that India’s leadership, with a female president and a female finance minister, demonstrates our nation’s courage and strength," he stated.

Nimisha Suryavanshi, another participant from Hisar, Haryana, who shared her ideas during the dialogue, emphasized how the Prime Minister fostered youth-centric thinking and innovation.

She told IANS, "When we first ventured into space, the query was -- How does India appear from above?... Today, in New India, the Prime Minister asks -- How does India appear through the eyes of the youth?"

Suryavanshi also discussed her proposal focused on enhancing agricultural productivity, which received positive feedback from the Prime Minister.

"When I presented my idea 'Per Field More Yield', PM Modi expressed his satisfaction, likening it to his slogan 'Per Drop More Crop', deeming my idea equally praiseworthy," she said.

She further detailed the unique selection process and the opportunity given to participants to engage directly with the nation’s leaders.

"From 50 lakh youth who applied, 3,000 were shortlisted at each stage, ultimately allowing around 25 selected youth to directly share their ideas with the Prime Minister. It was an extraordinary experience for us. With 3,000 individuals gathered in the hall, we were able to present our innovative ideas and converse with him," Suryavanshi added.

Dipayan Sunder Ghosh, another participant from Nadia, described the dialogue as a significant and enriching experience, noting that the acknowledgment of youth suggestions in the national budget was particularly encouraging. "It was a fantastic experience to share our ideas. I was even more impressed when our suggestions were referenced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget 2026 speech," he stated.

Participants asserted that such initiatives reflect a growing emphasis on integrating youth perspectives into national policy discussions and development frameworks, reinforcing their belief that young citizens are increasingly becoming essential contributors to India's long-term growth vision.

The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders' Dialogue 2026 took place in New Delhi from January 9 to January 12, gathering approximately 3,000 young leaders from various regions of the country.

During this multi-day event, attendees engaged in digital quizzes, essay contests, and policy presentations.

Key recommendations from these discussions were later incorporated into national policy dialogues and the framework of the Union Budget.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Sitharaman emphasized that the Union Budget 2026–27 aims to acknowledge the aspirations of India's youth by transforming discussions from the dialogue into actionable policy initiatives.

The government has also highlighted that the budget is designed to create opportunities for young Indians while advancing the overarching goal of establishing a Viksit and Atmairbhar Bharat.