The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of an autonomous body, Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), to serve as an overarching enabling mechanism powered by technology for youth development and youth-led development. The primary objective of MY Bharat is to make it a whole-of-government platform for youth development. With access to resources and connection to opportunities, youth will become community change agents and nation builders, allowing them to act as the Yuva Setu between the government and the citizens.
MY Bharat will benefit the youth in the age-group of 15-29 years, in line with the definition of ‘Youth’ in the National Youth Policy. In the case of programme components specifically meant for adolescents, the beneficiaries will be in the age-group of 10-19 years.
The establishment of MY Bharat is expected to lead to the following:
- Leadership Development in the Youth:
- Improve leadership skills through experiential learning by shifting from isolated physical interaction to programmatic skills.
- Invest more in youth to make them social innovators and leaders in the communities.
- Set the focus of the government on youth-led development and make the youth “active drivers” of development and not merely “passive recipients”.
- Other Benefits:
- Better alignment between youth aspirations and community needs.
- Enhanced efficiency through convergence of existing programmes.
- Act as a one-stop shop for young people and Ministries.
- Create a centralized youth database.
- Improve two-way communication to connect youth government initiatives and activities of other stakeholders that engage with youth.
- Ensure accessibility by creating a physical ecosystem.
MY Bharat is a significant investment in the future of India, and it is expected to play a major role in developing the leadership potential of Indian youth and building a Viksit Bharat.
How MY Bharat Will Make a Difference?
MY Bharat is expected to make a difference in the lives of young people in India in the following ways:
- Provide a platform for youth to develop their leadership skills and become social innovators. MY Bharat will provide youth with opportunities to learn and practice leadership skills in real-world settings, and to develop and implement innovative solutions to social problems.
- Connect youth to resources and opportunities. MY Bharat will act as a one-stop shop for young people to access information and services from all relevant ministries and government agencies. It will also create a centralized youth database to better understand the needs of youth and develop more effective policies and programs.
- Empower youth to lead and participate in development initiatives. MY Bharat will recognize and support the role of youth as active agents of change, and empower them to lead and participate in development initiatives.
- Improve communication between youth and the government. MY Bharat will ensure that youth have a voice in the development and implementation of government programs, and that they are aware of and able to access opportunities from other stakeholders.
MY Bharat is a comprehensive and ambitious initiative that is poised to make a significant impact on the lives of young people in India. By providing youth with the resources, opportunities, and support they need, MY Bharat will help them to develop their leadership skills, become social innovators, and contribute to the building of a Viksit Bharat.