Interacting with the participants of the MP LEAD Fellowship, a two-month internship programme initiated by Rajya Sabha Member Dr. Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade, at Uprashtrapati Bhavan today, the Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, urged young people to become ethical leaders committed to national service. He said leadership is measured not by authority but by one's ability to serve society with humility, integrity and compassion.

Emphasising India's civilisational unity, the Vice-President said, "Bharat was one, Bharat is one and Bharat will always remain one." Urging the fellows to rise above region, language and caste, he said India's shared cultural heritage from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari has always united the nation and remains its greatest strength.

Recalling India's transformation from the food shortages of the 1960s to becoming one of the world's largest exporters of foodgrains, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said young people should understand the hardships endured by previous generations and draw inspiration from the nation's development journey.

Describing the fellowship as an ideal platform to begin one's career, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said they expose young people to the world beyond classrooms, build confidence and provide opportunities to interact with national leaders. Emphasising that opportunities must be matched by merit and continuous self-improvement, he urged the fellows to strive for excellence and contribute their best to nation-building.

Expressing confidence in the potential of the fellows, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said many among them would go on to occupy positions of responsibility in public life, administration and the judiciary. "Who knows, one of you may also be holding the position of the Vice-President of India," he remarked, encouraging them to dream big and serve the nation with dedication.

Highlighting the importance of constitutional values, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said democracy flourishes when citizens uphold their duties along with their rights. He urged the fellows to learn with curiosity, innovate fearlessly and remain committed to the larger national interest, expressing confidence that the MP LEAD Fellowship would nurture future nation-builders contributing to a developed and self-reliant India.

The MP LEAD Fellowship, an initiative of Rajya Sabha Member Dr. Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade, is a two-month internship programme that provides young people with first-hand exposure to governance, public policy and legislative processes. Congratulating the 40 fellows selected from over 5,000 applicants, the Vice-President noted that 62 per cent of the participants are women and represent diverse regions of the country.

***

PR/ASM/VMJ