Chennai, September 22, 2025 : In a powerful and inspiring address at the Dakshina Patha Summit 2025, held at IIT Madras, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan called upon India’s youth to take center stage in shaping the future of the nation. Speaking to a hall full of students, researchers, and young innovators, he described India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as a blueprint for building a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047.
Describing NEP 2020 as “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam in action,” Pradhan emphasized that India’s education reforms are not just about degrees — they are about empowering individuals to think globally, act ethically, and innovate fearlessly.
What is NEP 2020? A Transformational Education Reform
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is India’s first major education overhaul in over three decades. It is rooted in flexibility, inclusion, creativity, and global relevance, and aims to redefine how education is delivered from school to higher education.
Key features of NEP 2020 include:
- Holistic and Multidisciplinary Learning: Students can now combine subjects across science, arts, and commerce, allowing greater freedom to explore interests.
- Multiple Entry and Exit in Higher Education: Students can pause, reskill, and rejoin courses as per their needs.
- Skill Development Focus: Vocational training, coding, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship are now part of mainstream learning.
- Mother Tongue as Medium of Instruction: For foundational learning, NEP encourages education in local languages to improve understanding.
- Digital and Global Outlook: Integration of technology, online learning, and global collaborations to build future-ready graduates.
Youth-Led Nation Building: Think India’s Role
At the summit, Pradhan praised the efforts of platforms like Think India, which connect young minds across campuses to policy, governance, innovation, and development.
“Think tanks like Think India are crucial in building models that don’t just serve India, but inspire the world,” he said.
“The world is looking at India—not just for solutions, but for leadership rooted in compassion, sustainability, and youth energy.”
Viksit Bharat: The Goal for 2047
With India set to celebrate 100 years of independence in 2047, the goal of a Viksit Bharat is more than just economic. It is about building a nation that is:
- Innovative and self-reliant
- Inclusive and equitable
- Globally respected, yet deeply rooted in its cultural values
NEP 2020 plays a critical role in this vision by preparing the next generation to lead not only in technology and science but also in ethics, public service, and global diplomacy.
From Classrooms to Changemakers
Minister Pradhan reminded students that India’s strength lies in its demographic dividend — the creativity, confidence, and courage of its youth.
“You are not just students. You are changemakers, entrepreneurs, problem-solvers, and ambassadors of a new India,” he declared.
“NEP gives you the wings. Now it’s your time to fly.”
The summit witnessed panel discussions, student showcases, and idea exchanges on topics like AI in education, startups for social good, and India’s role in the global knowledge economy.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
The Dakshina Patha Summit 2025 wasn’t just a gathering of bright minds — it was a reflection of a larger national movement, powered by NEP 2020, aimed at transforming education into a launchpad for India’s development.
As India marches towards 2047, the NEP is not just a policy document, but a people’s policy — one that equips students to not only dream big but build boldly.
Because in the classrooms of today, lie the leaders of tomorrow — and with the right support, they will take India from potential to performance, and from vision to victory.