President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, said India's ambition of becoming a fully developed nation by 2047 must extend beyond economic metrics to encompass spiritual awakening, calling on the country's youth to combine modern skills with moral values and inner strength. She was speaking at a Brahma Kumaris organisation's programme in Vadodara, Gujarat.

The Core Message

Addressing the gathering, Murmu underlined that 65 per cent of India's 1.4 billion population is young — a demographic advantage that could power nation-building if channelled constructively. 'Today, the youth have awakened. The dream of a developed India by 2047 is not only about economic development but also spiritual awakening. Today, the entire world is looking towards India,' she said.

The President stressed that while knowledge, technology and skills were essential, young people also needed self-confidence, self-discipline, positive thinking, sensitivity and moral values to navigate a rapidly shifting environment shaped by the digital revolution, information overload and intense competition.

Launch of 'Awakening Inner Strength' Initiative

The address followed the virtual launch of 'Awakening Inner Strength for Nation Building', a national initiative linked to a Brahma Kumaris programme held in Nadiad. The event also marked the organisation's completion of 90 years of its spiritual journey and the unveiling of its 2026 national theme, 'Spiritual Awakening for World Renewal'.

Murmu said inner strength — encompassing self-awareness, concentration, emotional balance and a positive outlook — was the foundation on which young Indians could build resilient personal and professional lives. 'When young people give a positive direction to their thoughts, emotions and actions, their families, workplaces, communities feel its impact and ultimately the entire nation,' she said.

India's Spiritual Heritage as a Development Asset

The President argued that India's ancient philosophical traditions — yoga, meditation, non-violence, compassion and the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) — were not merely cultural artefacts but practical tools that could be integrated with modern science and technology to create a distinctive, holistic development model.

She also invoked the legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, noting that his examples of nation-building continue to inspire younger generations. 'Our goal should be to build an India that is economically prosperous, scientifically powerful, socially inclusive and spiritually awakened,' she said.

What This Signals for Viksit Bharat 2047

Murmu's remarks reflect a growing official emphasis on the Viksit Bharat (Developed India) framework going beyond GDP targets to incorporate human development, values education and civic responsibility. This comes amid an ongoing national conversation about youth mental health and the pressures of a hyper-competitive, digitally saturated environment. The President's call for a dual focus — skills alongside spirituality — adds a dimension to the Viksit Bharat discourse that economic blueprints alone do not capture.