Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Tuesday interacted with a delegation of young students from Chhattisgarh participating in Yuva Sangam Phase VI, stressing that India’s youth hold the key to transforming the country’s demographic advantage into its greatest strength.
The delegation, led by IIT Bhilai and hosted by IIT Delhi, met the L-G at Lok Niwas as part of the flagship youth exchange programme under the Ministry of Education’s “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” initiative. The group comprised students from diverse academic backgrounds, including fine arts, commerce, science and technology.
During the interaction, Sandhu encouraged the students to align themselves with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 through innovation, skill development, civic responsibility and active participation in nation building. He urged them to share ideas and contribute to solving contemporary challenges through entrepreneurship and technology-driven solutions.
Responding to questions on leadership, public service and diplomacy, the l-G highlighted India’s unique demographic advantage at a time when many developed nations are witnessing ageing populations.
The L-G said, “India’s demographic dividend can become its greatest strength when young people continuously identify, nurture and enhance their skills. Success begins with self-reflection and a clear understanding of one’s strengths and aspirations. Do not be afraid of failure as it is an integral part of every journey of growth and achievement. What is important is to remain resilient, keep learning and never giving up.”
Addressing the growing concern over academic pressure among students, Sandhu emphasised that no examination should define a person’s worth. Expressing concern over incidents of depression and suicides linked to exam failures, he said life is far more valuable than any test and urged students to remain resilient in the face of setbacks.
The L-G also underlined the importance of technology and innovation in India’s growth story, particularly the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI). He noted that while the AI is transforming industries, its true value lies in practical implementation alongside human expertise.
He said ultimate success would belong to those who can effectively integrate technology with human capabilities, describing the technology-human partnership as a critical driver of future growth.
On what makes him proud to be an Indian, Sandhu remarked, “Whenever I see the youth of India, I see the promise of a stronger, more innovative and self-reliant nation. With the immense potential of our young population and the remarkable creativity, adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit they possess, I am confident that they can successfully navigate any challenge and drive India’s progress in the years ahead.
