Namaskar!

My Cabinet colleagues joining us from various parts of the country, Members of Parliament, Members of Legislative Assemblies, young friends of the nation, ladies and gentlemen!

Today marks the auspicious festival of Dhanteras, and I extend my heartfelt greetings to all citizens on this occasion. In two days, we shall also celebrate the festival of Deepawali, and this year’s Diwali is exceptionally special. You may wonder what sets this Diwali apart, as it is a celebration we observe annually. Allow me to share with you what makes this one unique: after 500 years, Lord Shri Ram (Ram Lalla) is now seated in his magnificent temple in Ayodhya. This is the first Deepawali since the installation of Ram Lalla in this grand temple, a moment for which countless generations have waited, and for which lakhs have endured sacrifices and hardships. We are indeed fortunate to witness such a remarkable and extraordinary Diwali.

In the midst of these festive celebrations, on this auspicious day, 51,000 young people are being awarded appointment letters for government positions through this Rozgar Mela. I extend my congratulations and best wishes to each one of you.

Friends,

The central government is continuing its process of providing permanent government jobs to lakhs of youth across the country. In states governed by the BJP and NDA as well, appointment letters have been issued to lakhs of youngsters. Recently, in Haryana, as soon as the new government was formed, 26,000 young people were gifted with employment. Those familiar with Haryana will know that there is a celebratory atmosphere there at present, and the youth are full of enthusiasm. Our government in Haryana is known for a unique approach — it provides employment opportunities without any expenses or underhanded dealings. Today, I would like to extend special congratulations to the 26,000 youth who have received appointment letters from the Haryana government. With 26,000 new appointments in Haryana and 51,000 more today, we celebrate significant progress.

Friends,

The process of providing permanent government jobs to lakhs of young people across the country continues under the Government of India. In BJP- and NDA-governed states as well, appointment letters have been issued to lakhs of youth. Recently, in Haryana, upon the formation of the new government, 26,000 young people received employment opportunities. Those familiar with Haryana will know that there is a celebratory atmosphere there these days, with the youth feeling uplifted. Our government in Haryana has a distinctive reputation – it provides jobs without any expenses or favouritism. Today, I extend special congratulations to the 26,000 young people who have received appointment letters from the Haryana government. This makes 26,000 new jobs in Haryana and an additional 51,000 from today’s programme.

Friends,

Our commitment is to maximise employment opportunities for the youth of this country. The policies and decisions of this government have a direct impact on job creation. Today, there is work underway on constructing expressways, highways, roads, railways, ports, airports, and installing fibre lines and mobile towers across the nation. We are expanding new industries into every corner of the country, building new industrial cities, and laying water and gas pipelines. A large number of schools, colleges, and universities are also being established. Through infrastructure investment, the government aims to reduce logistics costs. These initiatives are not only providing enhanced convenience to citizens but are also creating millions of new job opportunities.

Friends,

Just yesterday, I was in Vadodara, where I had the opportunity to inaugurate a factory producing aircraft for the defence sector. This factory alone will directly employ thousands of people. But beyond this, the number of job opportunities it will generate is significantly greater, due to the vast number of spare parts needed for aircraft production. A network of many small factories will emerge to manufacture and supply these parts. Our MSMEs across the country will be engaged in producing these components, with new MSMEs also emerging to meet demand. An aircraft contains between 15,000 to 25,000 small and large parts, meaning thousands of factories across the nation will become active to supply each manufacturing plant. One can only imagine the substantial boost this will bring to our MSME sector and the countless employment opportunities it will create.

Friends,

Today, when we launch a scheme, our focus is not solely on the benefits provided to the public; we envision a much broader impact. We also aim to establish an ecosystem that generates employment. Take, for instance, the PM Suryaghar Free Electricity Scheme. On the surface, it may appear that the scheme is designed to supply free electricity to households, but a closer look reveals much more. In just the last six months, around 1.25 to 1.5 crore customers have registered for this scheme. Over 9,000 vendors have joined to carry out the necessary installations, and solar panels have already been fitted in more than 5 lakh homes. Moving forward, there are plans to establish 800 solar-powered villages across various parts of the country as a model under this scheme. Additionally, 30,000 people have been trained in rooftop solar installation. In essence, this single scheme has opened up lakhs of employment opportunities for manufacturers, vendors, installers, and repairers. The PM Suryaghar Free Electricity Scheme is poised to create lakhs of new jobs across the country.

Friends,

Let me give you another example, and today I am focusing on examples related to smaller villages. Khadi has been a topic of discussion in our country since the independence era. But consider the remarkable transformation of the Khadi Village Industry today. Over the last 10 years, the policies of our government have completely revitalised the Khadi Village Industry, not only changing its image but also transforming the fortunes of those involved in this work within rural areas. Today, the Khadi Village Industry is generating over 1.5 lakh crore rupees in revenue annually. If we compare this to the situation a decade ago – just as Dr. Jitendra Singh recently highlighted the statistics on government jobs under previous and current governments – the difference is astounding. For example, Khadi sales today are 400 percent higher than they were during the UPA government. This growth means that artisans, weavers, and traders are reaping substantial benefits. New opportunities are emerging in this sector, creating a large number of jobs.

Similarly, our Lakhpati Didi Yojana has provided new avenues of employment and self-employment for rural women. In the past decade, 10 crore women have joined Self-Help Groups, engaging in economic activities and earning an income through their work. These 10 crore women are now bringing money into their households through employment and self-employment, thanks to their hard work. This impressive number of 10 crore women often goes unnoticed by many. The government has fully supported them, providing resources and financial aid. These women are generating income from various types of employment. Our government has set a target to enable 3 crore of these women to become "Lakhpati Didis," aiming not just to create income but to increase it. So far, around 1.25 crore women have achieved this milestone, earning an annual income of over Rs 1 Lakh each year.

Friends,

Today, Bharat is advancing towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy. Witnessing this progress, the youth naturally question why the current pace and scale of development weren’t achieved earlier. The answer is simple: previous governments lacked both the policies and intent needed.

Friends,

You may recall how Bharat used to lag in numerous sectors, particularly in technology. While new technologies emerged globally, Bharat often had to wait, wondering when they would finally reach us. By the time they arrived, these technologies were already outdated in the West. A mindset took hold that modern technology couldn’t be developed in our country, and this perception caused tremendous loss. Bharat not only fell behind in the race for modern development but also lost significant sources of employment. Without modern, employment-generating industries, how could we create jobs? Therefore, we began working to rid the country of the outdated thinking of previous governments. From the space sector to semiconductors, from electronics to electric vehicles, we promoted 'Make in India' across every new technological frontier. We worked towards a Atmanirbhar Bharat and launched the PLI scheme to attract both new technologies and foreign direct investment. The 'Make in India' initiative and the PLI scheme combined have dramatically accelerated job creation. Today, industries in every sector are gaining momentum, opening new opportunities for the youth across different fields. Massive investments are being made, and record-breaking opportunities are emerging. Over 1.5 lakh startups have been launched in the last eight years, making Bharat the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. Through all these developments, our youth are finding opportunities to advance and secure employment.

Friends,

To enhance the capabilities of Bharat's youth, the government is highly focused on skill development. This led to the launch of initiatives like Skill India. Today, young people are receiving training in hundreds of skill development centres nationwide. We have also ensured that our youth need not struggle to gain experience and opportunities. Under the Pradhan Mantri Internship Yojana, provisions have been made for paid internships in India’s top 500 companies, with each intern receiving Rs 5,000 per month for a year. Our aim is for one crore young people to benefit from internship opportunities in the next five years, enabling them to connect with real-world business environments across various sectors. This experience will be invaluable for their careers.

Friends,

The Indian government is opening up new opportunities to help young Indians secure jobs abroad more easily. Recently, Germany, as you may have read in the newspapers, released a Skilled Workforce Strategy specifically for Bharat. Previously, Germany issued visas annually to 20,000 skilled Indian youth. Now, they have decided to increase this number to 90,000, meaning 90,000 young people will have the opportunity to work in Germany each year, which will greatly benefit our youth. In recent years, India has signed migration and employment agreements with 21 countries, including Gulf nations and economically advanced countries like Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Mauritius, Israel, the UK, and Italy. Each year, 3,000 Indians are eligible for a two-year work and study visa in the UK, and 3,000 Indian students will have the opportunity to study in Australia. Bharat's talent is not only contributing to the nation’s progress but is also playing a significant role in the advancement of the world, and we are progressing in that direction.

Friends,

Today, the government’s role is to create a modern system where every young person has access to opportunities and can fulfil their aspirations. Therefore, in whatever position you hold, your goal should be to provide maximum support and facilities to the youth and citizens.

Friends,

The taxpayers and citizens of this country have played an essential role in enabling you to secure a government position. We owe our positions and opportunities to them, and our appointments are solely to serve the public. This new culture of merit-based jobs, free from expense and influence, comes with a responsibility: to repay this debt by easing the challenges in citizens' lives. No matter our position or role—whether as a postman or a professor—our duty is to serve the people of this nation, especially the poorest, the marginalised, the oppressed, tribals, women, and the youth. Whoever we have the chance to serve, let us consider it our privilege and dedicate ourselves to it.

You are joining the Government of India at a time when the nation is committed to developing a new India. To achieve this, we must excel in every sector, and this won't be possible without the contribution of young colleagues like yourselves. Therefore, your goal should not just be to work well, but to work exceptionally. Government employees in our country should set examples that are recognised worldwide. Naturally, the country has expectations from us, and with the spirit of Aspirational Bharat, these expectations are even higher. However, these expectations reflect the trust placed in us, fuelling the nation’s progress. This trust makes it our responsibility to live up to the people’s hopes.

Friends,

With this appointment, you are also embarking on a new journey in your personal life. I urge you to remain humble, remembering that we are servants, not rulers. Throughout this journey, never stop learning; keep acquiring new skills. For government employees, the central government offers various courses on the iGOT Karmayogi platform. You can access these digital training modules online, completing courses on subjects of your interest whenever you have the time. Take full advantage of these resources to expand your knowledge.

I am confident, friends, that through your efforts, Bharat will reach developed nation status by 2047. Today, you may be 20, 22, or 25 years old; you will be in the prime of your career when India becomes a developed nation. Then, you will be able to say with pride that your 25 years of hard work helped to shape a developed India. What a tremendous opportunity and honour this is! You have not merely gained employment; you have gained a profound opportunity. I encourage you to seize this chance, strengthen your dreams, and live with resolve. We will not rest until our vision of a developed Bharat is realised. We shall fulfil our responsibility through dedicated public service.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations once again to all friends who have received their appointment letters today. I wish you every success for a bright future ahead. Today, your families will also share in this special joy, and I convey my best wishes to them as well. With Diwali upon us and this new opportunity, it truly is a double celebration for you. Enjoy the moment, friends, and all the very best.

Thank you.

***

MJPS/VJ/IG