Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 26 July interacted with over 400 youth participants from 250 districts across India who took part in the Viksit Vibrant Village programme, implemented through MY Bharat. The programme is designed to fulfil the Prime Minister's vision of treating India's border villages as the nation's first villages — active partners in the march toward Viksit Bharat.

Key Interactions and Voices from the Ground

Law student Nikita, a resident of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, shared her experience of visiting Changoo village in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district — describing it as a significant personal milestone as a woman travelling solo to a remote border village. She recounted how local residents welcomed her with the warmth of family.

When Modi asked whether she had met women panchayat heads during her visit, Nikita confirmed she had, noting that women Pradhans in Changoo were actively engaged in farming, local administration, and household management simultaneously. Modi encouraged her to stay connected with the villagers via video call, quipping, '4G (network) must have reached there too.'

Reflecting on solo travel, Modi said: 'Solo travelling is a way of discovering the world while discovering yourself. You all went (to the villages) solo but while returning you all must have become a family.' He added: 'You have undertaken the journey alone which is a symbol of increasing self-esteem of India's daughters. Our effort is to ensure that each of the youth and daughter of the country can march ahead with this same confidence.'

A Rajasthani Youth's Border Village Discovery

Participant Sunil Kumar Kela, who hails from a border village in Rajasthan, shared his experience visiting Dhar Chango Uperla village in Himachal Pradesh. He noted that the patriotism and warmth of the people mirrored what he had seen in Rajasthan, and was struck by the quality of roads in the hilly border terrain — which he found superior to those back home.

Kela also highlighted the role of the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, noting that villagers in the border area were using solar-generated electricity. He described the dramatic shift in conditions — from 50 degrees Celsius in Rajasthan to zero degrees Celsius in Himachal Pradesh.

From Andaman to Ladakh: A Young Traveller's Surprise

Sayontika, a 21-year-old from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, recounted her visit to Man Village in Ladakh, where the sharp altitude change initially affected her health. She expressed gratitude to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) battalion, including its medical personnel, for prioritising civilians. She also noted being pleasantly surprised to find UPI payment facilities available in the remote border village.

Modi's Message: Border Villages Are Now First Villages

Addressing the participants collectively, Modi underscored the programme's broader philosophy: 'Residents of such villages may geographically appear to be distant but emotionally they are very much connected. It is with this thought that we made the border villages as the country's first village. Otherwise, as you all may have experienced, these villages were left behind after independence as the last village of the nation.'

He asserted: 'Those who were last in priority earlier, are now the first.' The Prime Minister urged all participants to share their experiences widely, so that the stories of India's border communities reach every corner of the country.