New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Rozgar Mela and distributed more than 71,000 appointment letters to newly appointed youth in government departments and organisations via video conferencing, on Monday. 

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister mentioned that he had returned from Kuwait late last night, where he had extensive discussions with Indian youth and professionals. He called it a pleasant coincidence that his first programme after returning is with the youth of the country. “Today marks a new beginning for thousands of youth. Your years of dreams have come true, and years of hard work have paid off. This outgoing year of 2024 is bringing new happiness to you. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you and your families,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister noted that the government is committed to fully utilising India's youth talent through initiatives like Rozgar Melas. Over the past 10 years, concerted efforts have been made to provide government jobs across various ministries and departments. Today, more than 71,000 youth have received their appointment letters. In the last one and a half years, around 10 lakh permanent government jobs have been offered, setting a remarkable record. These jobs are being provided with complete transparency, and the new recruits are contributing to the nation with dedication and integrity.

Modi highlighted that the development of a country relies on the hard work, capability, and leadership of its youth. India is committed to becoming a developed nation by 2047 as its policies and decisions focus on empowering its talented youth. He noted that over the past decade, initiatives such as Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Startup India, Stand-Up India, and Digital India have placed youth at the forefront.

India is now the world’s fifth-largest economy and the third-largest startup ecosystem. According to the Prime Minister, Indian youth are brimming with new confidence and excelling in every sector. Young entrepreneurs launching startups today benefit from a robust support system. Similarly, youth pursuing careers in sports now have confidence due to modern training facilities and tournaments. He noted that the country is undergoing a transformation across various sectors, becoming the second-largest in mobile manufacturing. India is also advancing in renewable energy, organic farming, space, defence, tourism, and wellness, creating new opportunities and reaching new heights in these areas.

Modi stated that nurturing young talent is crucial for the country's progress and building a new India, and this responsibility lies with the education system. The National Education Policy is guiding India toward a modern education system that offers students new opportunities. He said that the system was previously restrictive but now fosters innovation through initiatives like Atal Tinkering Labs and PM-SHRI schools. “The government has also addressed language barriers for rural youth and marginalised communities by allowing learning and exams in the mother tongue and providing recruitment exams in 13 languages. Additionally, quotas for youth from border areas have been increased, with special recruitment rallies for permanent government jobs. Today, over 50,000 youth received appointment letters for the Central Armed Police Forces, marking a significant achievement,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to Chaudhary Charan Singh on his birth anniversary, stating that the government is privileged to honour him with the Bharat Ratna this year. “We also celebrate this day as Farmers' Day, paying tribute to the farmers who provide us with food. Chaudhary Sahib believed that India’s progress depends on the progress of rural India. Our government’s policies have created new employment and self-employment opportunities in rural areas, especially for youth in agriculture,” Modi said.

He emphasised that initiatives like the Gobar-Dhan Yojana, which established biogas plants, have generated jobs while producing energy. The e-NAM scheme connecting agricultural markets has opened new employment avenues, and the increase in ethanol blending has benefited farmers and created jobs in the sugar sector. He also highlighted how the establishment of nearly 9,000 Farmer Producer Organisations has improved market access and created rural jobs. Additionally, the government is implementing a massive scheme to build thousands of grain storage warehouses, which will provide significant employment and self-employment opportunities.

The Prime Minister discussed the launch of the Bima Sakhi Yojana, which provides insurance coverage to every citizen while creating numerous employment opportunities in rural areas. Initiatives like Drone Didi, Lakhpati Didi, and Bank Sakhi Yojana are generating jobs in agriculture and rural sectors. “Today, thousands of women have received appointment letters, and their success will inspire others. The government is committed to making women self-reliant in every field. The introduction of 26 weeks of maternity leave has safeguarded the careers of millions of women,” Modi added.

He highlighted how the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has removed obstacles to women’s advancement, as many girls had to drop out of school due to the lack of separate toilets. He said the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana has ensured financial support for girls' education. Also, 30 crore Jan Dhan accounts for women have provided direct benefits from government schemes. “Through the Mudra Yojana, women can now access collateral-free loans. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has ensured that most houses allotted are in women's names. Initiatives like Poshan Abhiyaan, Surakshit Matritva Abhiyaan, and Ayushman Bharat offer better healthcare to women,” Modi said.

He emphasised that the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam has ensured reservations for women in assemblies and the Lok Sabha, advancing women-led development in the nation.

Modi remarked that the young individuals receiving appointment letters today are joining a newly transformed government system. Over the last decade, government offices have seen significant improvements in efficiency and productivity because of the dedication and hard work of government employees.

The Prime Minister encouraged the new appointees to maintain their eagerness to learn and grow throughout their lives. He highlighted the availability of various courses for government employees on the iGOT Karmayogi platform and urged them to utilise this digital training module. “Once again, I congratulate the candidates receiving their appointment letters today,” Modi concluded.

Rozgar Mela is a step towards fulfilling the government’s commitment to prioritising employment generation. It will provide meaningful opportunities to the youth for their participation in nation-building and self-empowerment.

Rozgar Mela is being held at 45 locations across the country. The recruitments are taking place for various ministries and departments of the central government. The new recruits, selected from across the country, will be joining ministries and departments including the Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Posts, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Department of Financial Services, among others.

BI Bureau