Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday, 16 October 2026, expressed confidence that India's youth will be the primary force behind the country's transformation into a developed nation by 2047, telling students that the generation entering its professional prime today will steer India's economic and institutional growth in the decades ahead.

Address at SRCC Centenary Conclave

Puri was speaking at the valedictory session of Pathways to Viksit Bharat: A Centenary Conclave, a two-day national conference organised by Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) in New Delhi. The event coincided with the institution's centenary year — a milestone Puri noted as symbolically significant, given that a college founded under colonial rule now equips young Indians to lead global corporations and shape national policy.

'The youth entering their professional prime will drive India towards becoming a developed nation — Viksit Bharat by 2047,' the minister said.

Education, Imagination, and Economic Opportunity

Drawing on philosopher Alfred North Whitehead's ideas on education, Puri argued that universities must balance imagination with experience to sustain intellectual growth and innovation. He urged students of commerce and economics to apply critical thinking, challenge conventional assumptions, and convert real-world challenges into entrepreneurial and economic opportunities — framing education not as credential-gathering but as preparation for national contribution.

Samudra Manthan Scheme and Energy Security

Underlining the government's emphasis on energy security, Puri highlighted the recently approved Samudra Manthan Scheme — formally, the National Offshore Exploration Scheme — with an outlay of ₹84,084 crore. The initiative aims to accelerate exploration of India's offshore hydrocarbon resources through advanced technologies, shared infrastructure, and strengthened domestic manufacturing capabilities.

He also cited the GOBARdhan scheme as a practical example of the government's 'Waste to Wealth' approach, noting that converting agricultural residue and organic waste into energy can generate new income streams for farmers while improving the country's energy security. Puri described it as aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of turning food producers into energy producers.

India's Resilience Amid Global Disruption

Pointing to recent geopolitical turbulence in West Asia, Puri said India had maintained uninterrupted fuel supplies through diversified energy sourcing and stronger domestic capabilities — citing it as evidence of the country's growing economic resilience amid global uncertainty.

This comes amid a broader government push to frame the next two decades as India's 'Amrit Kaal' — a period of transformational growth leading up to the centenary of independence in 2047. With institutions like SRCC now celebrating a century of operation, the minister's remarks underscored how legacy educational infrastructure is being recast as a launchpad for the next phase of national development.