FROM SECURITY TO SKILLS: PM MODI’S VISION FOR A FUTUREREADY INDIA

NARRATORS RECALL PM MODI’S REMARKABLE ABILITY TO THINK AHEAD, CHALLENGE OUTDATED PRACTICES AND TURN SEEMINGLY SIMPLE IDEAS INTO TRANSFORMATIVE INITIATIVES. THEY RECALL A LEADER WHOSE VISION CONSISTENTLY LOOKED BEYOND THE IMMEDIATE TO CREATE LASTING CHANGE

RASHTRIYA RAKSHA UNIVERSITY – MODI JI’S UNIQUE GIFT TO THE NATION - Bimal N Patel, V-C, Rashtriya Raksha University, Vikas Sahay, Former DG, Rashtriya Raksha University, Kalpesh Wandra, Pro-V-C, Rashtriya Raksha University

While serving as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi envisioned the Raksha Shakti University, an institution that would not only offer degrees but also prepare India’s future security leadership. This very institution later evolved into the Rashtriya Raksha University and today is empowering the nation’s security framework in areas such as policing, cybersecurity, forensics, intelligence, and strategic studies. During its launch Modi ji had said that this varsity was an asset of the country, a jewel, that would engender a new confidence for India’s safety and security. Testifying to his visionary leadership, Modi ji not only thought about the country’s present progress but also its future security and thus gave the idea of this unique institution.

It was a small nondescript meeting at the Chief Minister’s residence, which we attended. It was nothing grand or lavish, and it was there that the great idea was first postulated. There were only a handful of people present, but the discussion reflected a much larger vision. What began as a conversation about strengthening the country’s security ecosystem soon transformed into a concrete roadmap for building a dedicated institution. Even at that early stage, Modi ji spoke with remarkable clarity about the need to create a university that would produce highly trained professionals capable of addressing the evolving security challenges of the future.

What started as a state venture in 2010 turned into a 230- acre national institute of repute and importance by 2020. The most standout point in the project was the Prime Minister’s keen interest and involvement in it from the initiation to the end. As is his nature, he delves deep into things, goes to their bottom, and thus his ideas and vision, born out of deep study and understanding, lead to great things. The same happened in the case of the Raksha University. He followed its progress closely and ensured that the institution remained aligned with its original purpose and vision.

Modi ji realised early that a strong nation was not just one that guarded its borders but also one that founded strong institutions to strengthen the very foundation of the country’s security paraphernalia. The university was built to that purpose, and today it is taking care of the country’s need for top-class forensic, cyber, policing, intelligence, and homeland security experts. The country will remember Modi ji for this remarkable gift, which will continue to strengthen India’s security architecture and prepare generations of dedicated professionals for decades to come.

Skill India was a visionary step by PM Modi - Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Former MoS, Ministry of skill development

Eleven years ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Skill India with a vision to make India’s youth future-ready, not just job-ready. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when much of the world’s attention was focused on immediate challenges, PM Modi’s emphasis remained firmly on strengthening Skill India. His direction was clear: “Build a new model of Skill India centred on digital skilling, upskilling and reskilling so that young Indians could seize opportunities in the economy of the future.” For PM Modi, investing in the skilling of the youth has always meant investing in India’s future.

He had once said that India was a country of knowledge and skill, and if that skill could be connected to the needs of the country, the nation’s strength could be enhanced many times over. His entire dedication and effort have been towards realising that vision. He has consistently believed that India’s greatest strength lies in its young population and that equipping them with the right skills is the surest path to national progress, innovation, and self-reliance.

Today, for this reason, our youth have a plethora of career options to choose from that their acquired skills can offer them. Opportunities in emerging sectors such as digital technology, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and services have expanded significantly, giving young people the confidence to pursue careers based on their talent and capability. A few years back, they had only one conventional option—to pursue higher studies—but Modi ji’s vision, as I have witnessed from close quarters, has opened up a whole new world for them. It has transformed the way young Indians look at employment, selfemployment, and professional growth, enabling them to become job creators as well as skilled contributors to the nation’s development.

A small suggestion but a big impact - Ashutosh Sharma, Former secretary, dept of science and technology

Once as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi ji was taking a tour of a certain dam in the state. Suddenly his eyes fell upon an old signboard at the dam that said, ‘Photography Prohibited.’ This surprised him and put him off. He immediately ordered the removal of the signboard. He said this was an example of an old and obsolete mindset that no longer held good in today’s time and era of technological advancements. He observed that satellites had been placed across the skies and every country could today access photographs and detailed information about almost every place. So, what was the purpose of depriving our own people, the people of India, from taking photographs of a place they liked and wished to remember?

This simple observation changed our outlook and attitude. It reflected Modi ji’s ability to question outdated practices and replace them with practical thinking suited to changing times. Unbelievably, soon after the removal of the signboard, the dam area witnessed a tourism boost as visitors could now openly and freely click photographs of their choice and share their experiences with others. The atmosphere became more welcoming and tourist-friendly, encouraging more people to visit the destination.

This small suggestion of Modi ji had a big and longterm impact on the tourism sector, on the local economy, and on the overall goodwill and convenience of the people. It was a reminder that meaningful reforms are not always large in scale; sometimes a single thoughtful decision can transform public perception and create lasting positive change. This is how a great leader and his ideas change society.

COMPILED & EDITED BY SHASHIKANT SHARMA