Every Citizen Has a Role in Building a Viksit Bharat by 2047: Venkaiah Naidu

India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat by 2047 depends as much on citizen participation as it does on governance and economic progress. Delivering the keynote address at Mantraṇā, the flagship discussion series of Bharat Ki Soch, Former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu stressed that nation-building cannot rest on the government alone.

“Policies provide the vision, but citizens’ actions determine the pace and success of the outcome,” Shri Naidu said. While the government must deliver effective governance, infrastructure, and growth opportunities, he noted that citizens share an equal responsibility to uphold constitutional values and fulfill their civic duties.

Highlighting the broader aspirations of a developed India, Shri Naidu added, “By 2047, we must ensure there is no hunger, atrocity, discrimination, or disparity. True progress is reflected not merely in economic metrics, but in societal well-being, equity, and unity.”

Expanding on the core pillars of nation-building, Shri Naidu defined true patriotism as everyone diligently performing their duty and called upon the country's youth to dream big, work hard, and actively contribute to national development. Emphasising that India’s demographic dividend will be a vital instrument in leading the journey to a Viksit Bharat, he encouraged young people to acquire global skills and exposure, even from abroad, and bring those expertise sets back to fuel the nation's growth. He also inspired the audience to view national integration across regions, languages, castes, and communities as an essential prerequisite, stressing that putting the nation first above all differences is key.

In his welcome address, Anil Rajput, Chairman, Bharat Ki Soch, said that the vision of Viksit Bharat must be supported by a stronger sense of civic responsibility and individual accountability. “We often measure a developed India through its infrastructure, thriving businesses, advanced technologies and modern cities. While these are essential, the choices we make every day determine how fully we benefit from this progress. Respecting public property, protecting the environment, following rules and acting with integrity are not merely individual actions; they shape the society we collectively build. When we say, ‘This is my country,’ we must also be willing to say, ‘This is my responsibility.’ The journey towards Viksit Bharat will advance when responsible citizenship becomes a part of our everyday lives.”

The former Vice President also felicitated the winners of the Jan Chetna 2026 debate and essay competitions, organised by Bharat Ki Soch along with Manav Rachna Centre for Peace and Sustainbility recognising school students for their engagement with ideas around civic responsibility, citizenship and nation-building.

In his closing remarks, R.K. Pachnanda, IPS (Retd.), Director, Bharat Ki Soch emphasised the significance of every citizen’s role in nation-building and remarked that the journey towards Viksit Bharat is not merely a governmental endeavour or an economic aspiration, but a profound moral and civic undertaking. He underscored that the vision of Viksit Bharat is a collective endeavour that must be realised by each one of us, step by step, through thoughtful actions and a steadfast commitment to our duties as citizens.

Highlighting the responsibility that binds generations in shaping the nation’s future, he observed, “Our past gives us wisdom, our present gives us opportunity, and our future gives us responsibility.

Through Mantraṇā, Bharat Ki Soch continues to facilitate conversations on ideas shaping India’s future, bringing together diverse perspectives to explore how the country’s civilisational knowledge can engage with contemporary challenges and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat.