Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday inaugurated the Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament 2026 at the historic Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan and urged young Indians to take a leading role in shaping the nation’s future and realising the vision of a developed India by 2047.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports organised the event in collaboration with the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) of the Lok Sabha Secretariat. The programme brought together youth participants from across the country.
Birla highlighted the significance of the venue and said the participants were standing in the very hall that symbolises India’s democratic heritage. He described the Constitution of India as the world’s largest written Constitution and a guiding document for every citizen. Highlighting the growing involvement of young people in democratic processes, he said more than five million youth are now associated with the Youth Parliament programme. He noted that despite differences in language, culture and geography, the participants were united by a shared commitment to building a Viksit Bharat. Stressing the importance of youth in
nation-building, Birla said the responsibility of achieving the dream of Viksit Bharat 2047 rests with the younger generation. He praised the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for promoting democratic values, dialogue and leadership among young citizens through such initiatives. The Lok Sabha Speaker also underlined India’s long democratic tradition. He said democratic practices evolved from ancient Sabhas and
Samitis and continue to strengthen public participation and democratic institutions.
He noted that India emerged as the world’s largest democracy after Independence despite its vast diversity and complexities. Speaking about the Constitution, Birla praised its framers for guaranteeing equal rights to all citizens and upholding the principles of equality, justice and equal opportunity. He also highlighted India’s decision to adopt universal adult franchise from the very beginning of the Republic.
