New Delhi, Jan 25 (NationPress) The youth are the future champions of India and will be instrumental in realizing a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, stated Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday, while honoring the Super-100 victors of Veer Gatha 4.0 - an initiative designed for students to pay homage to gallantry award recipients and freedom fighters.

These Super-100 individuals are part of the 10,000 Special Guests who will attend the Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path on Sunday. Among the 100 awardees, 66 are girls hailing from various regions across the country.

The Defence Minister highlighted that a profound sense of national pride is crucial for the advancement of any nation, mentioning, “We possess a vibrant youth population of approximately 50 crore. How can a nation with such creative intellect not progress?”

He remarked, “India’s global stature has elevated due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dynamic leadership. Today, our voice resonates on international platforms, and the world takes notice. This achievement is credited to the dedicated efforts of every Indian, including our valiant soldiers, scientists, and inspiring youth.”

Rajnath Singh encouraged students to draw inspiration from valiant figures such as freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Ashfaqulla Khan, and brave soldiers, whose courage and sacrifices will always be honored.

During the event, Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan stressed that initiatives like Veer Gatha enlighten school students about the valor and sacrifices of gallantry award winners while fostering creativity among young minds.

Veer Gatha is a competition in which 1.76 crore students from over 2.5 lakh schools participated, engaging in activities such as drawing, painting, and essay writing, to pay heartfelt tributes to the heroes of India's freedom struggle for their esteemed service and sacrifice to the nation.

The goal is to connect youth with the illustrious history of the nation’s bravehearts and instill values of patriotism, grit, and national pride, motivating students to contribute towards the nation's development.

During the event, Param Vir Chakra Awardee Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar shared his inspiring experiences from the 1999 Kargil War, urging students to embody the values of bravery, selflessness, and integrity in their lives.

“True bravery is not only found in combat but also in standing up for what is right in everyday life,” he stated, inspiring the young audience.