Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 1 August made a direct appeal to the people of Karnataka to keep the younger generation connected with Kannada literature, warning that the state's storied reading culture must not be eclipsed by the rising dominance of smartphones and digital media. Modi was speaking in Mysuru after inaugurating the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre (Viveka Smaraka), built by the Ramakrishna Ashrama.

Modi's Appeal on Kannada Literature

Delivering part of his address in Kannada, the Prime Minister asked citizens to actively inspire the next generation. 'Kannada has a rich literary tradition, and the people of Karnataka are known for their reading habits. In this age of smartphones, the culture of reading should not decline. Can we inspire the younger generation to stay connected with Kannada literature?' Modi said. The appeal carried particular weight coming at the inauguration of a cultural youth centre designed to nurture precisely such engagement.

Mysuru's Cleanliness and Environmental Pledge

Modi also congratulated Mysuru for its recognition as one of India's cleanest cities and called on residents to sustain the achievement. 'Mysuru has earned a place among the cleanest cities in Bharat. Can we all take a pledge to maintain this distinction in the future? We must protect nature and work in mission mode to conserve water,' he said, framing cleanliness and environmental conservation as a public movement rather than a government directive.

India's Youth Driving Economic Growth

The Prime Minister highlighted the central role of young Indians in the country's economic ascent, noting that India had become the world's third-largest start-up ecosystem and the second-largest manufacturer of mobile phones. He credited youth-led innovation for rapid advances in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and deep technology. Modi also acknowledged the younger generation's contribution to flagship programmes including Digital India, Make in India, and technology adoption in agriculture.

Education Infrastructure Expansion

Underlining the government's investment in higher education, Modi cited figures from the past 12 years: more than 650 universities, around 14,000 new colleges, over 4,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), nine new Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), and seven new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have been established. The number of MBBS seats and medical colleges has also risen substantially, he said. He added that the National Education Policy (NEP) was equipping students with the scientific temper and skills required for the 21st century, including the option to pursue medical and engineering education in their mother tongue.

Swami Vivekananda's Bond with Mysuru

Modi drew a historical thread connecting Swami Vivekananda to Mysuru, recalling that the young monk had visited the city more than 130 years ago, before he had gained international recognition. The Maharaja of Mysuru was among those who recognised Vivekananda's greatness and extended support — support that Vivekananda later acknowledged in a letter written from the United States. Modi invoked Vivekananda's teaching that 'the one who lives for others truly lives' and praised the Ramakrishna Ashrama for keeping those ideals alive through continuous service. The Prime Minister also briefly mentioned the government's Khelo India initiative, saying improved sports infrastructure was helping identify talent from villages and smaller towns while strengthening India's international sporting performance.