MY Bharat–NSS Chintan Shivir Ends with Action Plan to Boost Youth Engagement

The two-day MY Bharat–NSS Chintan Shivir, organised by the Department of Youth Affairs under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, concluded in Bengaluru with a renewed focus on strengthening youth participation and improving programme implementation aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.

The deliberations were held at the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem) and brought together senior officials, field functionaries and youth programme coordinators from MY Bharat and the National Service Scheme (NSS) across several states and Union Territories.

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse attended the programme, emphasising the importance of empowering youth as partners in nation-building.

From Dialogue to Action

The Chintan Shivir was structured around two themes: "Samvaad Se Samadhaan" (Dialogue to Solutions) on the first day and "Samadhaan Se Sankalp" (Solutions to Commitment) on the second day.

The final day focused on translating discussions into actionable strategies through collaborative policy labs and breakout sessions. Participants worked in thematic groups to design solutions aimed at expanding youth outreach, strengthening volunteer networks and improving programme delivery mechanisms at the grassroots level.

Case studies and recommendations presented by the groups highlighted ways to enhance coordination between institutions working for youth development and improve implementation of youth engagement initiatives across states.

Focus on Grassroots Youth Engagement

Addressing the participants, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse urged district and regional offices of MY Bharat and NSS to prioritise functionality over funding.

She emphasised that effective grassroots engagement and better programme execution are essential for meaningful youth development. Khadse encouraged officials to extend outreach to the Gram Sabha level, ensuring that youth development programmes reach villages and empower young people across rural India.

Acknowledging the challenges involved in implementing programmes at scale, she said that obstacles should be viewed as opportunities to innovate and improve systems.

Dialogue as a Tool for Solutions

Earlier in the programme, Prof. Maneesha S. Inamdar, Director of BRIC–inStem, praised the concept of the Chintan Shivir for providing a platform for open dialogue among stakeholders.

She noted that, much like scientific innovation, effective policy solutions often emerge through collaborative discussions that bring together diverse perspectives and ground-level insights.

Strengthening Collaboration for Youth Development

Summarising the outcomes of the two-day deliberations, Dr. Pallavi Jain Govil, Secretary of the Department of Youth Affairs, emphasised the importance of collaboration among institutions working with young people.

She highlighted the spirit of "Let's Collaborate for Youth", encouraging government departments, educational institutions and organisations to join the MY Bharat platform and contribute to expanding youth engagement across the country.

Recognising Outstanding Youth Engagement Initiatives

The concluding session also recognised outstanding efforts by officials and districts in promoting youth participation through various programmes.

Shri Anil Kumar, State Director of Kerala, was felicitated for best performance in National Voters' Day 2026, while Shri Santhil Kumar, State Director of Tamil Nadu, received recognition for best state performance in the Budget Quest 2026 quiz initiative.

At the district level, Smt. A. Nagalakshmi, District Youth Officer (DYO) from Bengaluru Urban, Karnataka, received the award for best district performance in Budget Quest 2026.

The second-best district award went to Shri Siva MS, DYO from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, while Ms. Khushboo Gupta, DYO from Hyderabad, Telangana, secured the third position.

Officials said these recognitions reflect the growing momentum of youth engagement programmes across states and districts and highlight the role of dedicated administrators in mobilising young citizens.

Empowering India's "Amrit Peedhi"

The Chintan Shivir concluded with a collective commitment to strengthen youth participation, volunteerism and leadership development across India.

Participants reaffirmed the guiding principle of "Sampark Se Samvaad, Samvaad Se Samadhaan, and Samadhaan Se Sankalp," emphasising continuous engagement, dialogue and action to empower India's Amrit Peedhi—the country's emerging generation of youth.

Officials said such initiatives are crucial to building a strong network of young volunteers and leaders who can actively contribute to the nation's development journey towards Viksit Bharat@2047.