New Delhi, Jan 25 (NationPress) On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the social media trend '2026 is the new 2016', reminiscing about the government's launch of the Startup India initiative a decade back, deeming it crucial for the youth and the nation's future.

He praised the youth as the “heroes” of the Startup India program, emphasizing that today, Indian startups are thriving across every sector.

During the 130th episode of his monthly radio show, Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi stated, “Recently, I’ve noticed an intriguing trend on social media where people are reflecting on their experiences from 2016. In this spirit, I want to share my memory today. In January 2016, we embarked on an ambitious journey. We recognized that while it might be a minor initiative, it holds significant importance for the youth and the nation’s future.”

“Back then, some individuals struggled to grasp its significance. The journey I refer to is that of Startup India. The true heroes of this remarkable journey are our young compatriots. Their innovations, stepping out of their comfort zones, are now etched in history,” he remarked.

The Prime Minister noted that India has grown to become the world’s “third-largest startup ecosystem”.

“These startups are extraordinary. Today, they operate in sectors that were unimaginable a decade ago: AI, space, nuclear energy, semiconductors, mobility, green hydrogen, biotechnology — you name it, and there’s an Indian startup making strides in that field,” he elaborated.

“I salute all my young friends involved in a startup or those aspiring to establish their own,” he continued.

PM Modi urged citizens, particularly those in industries and startups, to remember, “India’s economy is advancing rapidly; the world is watching us. We all bear a significant responsibility during these times. This responsibility is to prioritize quality. The era of 'It happens, it's fine, it will work' is behind us.”

“This year, let’s commit ourselves to quality with full enthusiasm. We should embrace a single mantra — Quality, Quality, and only Quality. Superior quality today compared to yesterday. Let’s pledge to enhance the quality of everything we produce — whether textiles, technology, electronics, or even packaging. The essence of Indian products should be synonymous with top quality,” he stated.

Emphasizing the need to make “excellence the standard”, the Prime Minister added, “Let’s vow that there will be no slackening in quality and no compromises. I previously stated from the Red Fort — 'Zero defect, zero effect'. By doing this, we can advance the resolve of Viksit Bharat.