Kumar Bahukhandi
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai receives a photograph of tribal artwork created by MY Bharat volunteer Aditi during the state-level review meeting at Mahanadi Bhawan in Raipur on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao and senior officials are also seen-Photo Credit:channel24india.com via CMO
At the state-level review of Mera Yuva Bharat, the Chief Minister directs officials to build a strong youth network from villages to the state level
Key Factors
- More than 2.65 crore young people registered with MY Bharat nationwide; over 6.60 lakh registrations in Chhattisgarh
- CM calls for youth participation in public service, community development and nation-building
- Special emphasis on connecting Bastar’s youth with new opportunities for leadership and personal growth
- State proposes Viksit Chhattisgarh Young Leaders Dialogue to identify and encourage emerging leaders
- Digital detox, social responsibility and non-political community activities to receive greater attention
The energy, talent, creativity and innovative capacity of young people will be the greatest force behind the creation of a developed India and a developed Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said in Raipur on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
Raipur : Chairing a high-level state review meeting of Mera Yuva Bharat, popularly known as MY Bharat, at Mahanadi Bhawan, the Chief Minister directed officials at Mahanadi Bhawan, Mantralaya, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. to connect more young people with the platform and ensure their active participation in programmes undertaken by different government departments.
Sai said India is among the world’s youngest countries and that its demographic strength must be channelled towards constructive social and national goals. Young people should be given opportunities suited to their interests and abilities so that they can participate meaningfully in the nation-building process, he added.
“Participation in social and community activities develops leadership, a spirit of service, social responsibility and commitment towards the nation among young people,” the Chief Minister said.
He said MY Bharat was launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring young Indians into the mainstream of development and provide them with a platform to contribute to national progress. The Prime Minister, he said, regards youth power as a central pillar of the Viksit Bharat vision.
Sai observed that today’s youth are connected to the world through technology and digital platforms. They possess a wider outlook, the capacity to innovate and the ability to adapt rapidly to change. Their energy must therefore be directed towards positive activities serving society and the national interest.
The Chief Minister called for greater youth participation in healthcare, sanitation, education, sports, environmental conservation, civic awareness, history, tourism, skill development, agriculture, technical education, disaster management and social welfare.
He said MY Bharat should provide young people with opportunities wherever their participation can benefit society. Such engagement would give them practical experience while allowing Chhattisgarh to make productive use of their energy and creativity.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai chairs the state-level review meeting of Mera Yuva Bharat at Mahanadi Bhawan, Mantralaya, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, and Special Secretary to the Chief Minister and Commissioner, Public Relations, Rajat Bansal, are seen in the lower frame;Photo Credit: channel24india.com via CMO
Under the vision of “Empowered Youth, Empowered Chhattisgarh”, Sai directed officials to establish strong coordination and youth networks from the village to the state level. Identifying young talent, providing opportunities and creating leadership platforms remain priorities of the state government, he said.
He also called for activities promoting digital detox, voluntary service, social engagement and community responsibility.
New Leadership Opportunities for Bastar’s Youth
The meeting was informed that Prime Minister Modi launched Mera Yuva Bharat on October 31, 2023. More than 2.65 crore young people are now registered on the platform across the country, including over 6.60 lakh from Chhattisgarh.
MY Bharat is being developed as a single-window digital platform connecting young people with the government. It offers information about volunteering, experiential learning, skills, leadership development and nation-building opportunities. A dedicated MY Bharat mobile application has also been developed.
More than 24,900 Experiential Learning Programmes have been conducted nationwide, enabling 1.21 lakh young people to gain practical experience through government activities. In Chhattisgarh, over 2,389 young people have participated in 233 such programmes.
Across India, more than 10 lakh young people have participated in service activities through over 1.53 lakh volunteering opportunities. In Chhattisgarh, more than 23,900 young people have taken part in different activities through 5,778 volunteering opportunities.
The meeting was also informed that quiz-based modules designed to improve awareness of Central government schemes and programmes have engaged more than 65 lakh young people across the country.
Sai stressed that young people should be encouraged to participate in non-political, social and creative activities. Opportunities should be aligned with their interests and talents so that they can develop their personalities and leadership abilities while becoming more conscious of their responsibilities towards society.
Detailed discussions were held on organising a Viksit Chhattisgarh Young Leaders Dialogue. The proposed initiative will seek to increase youth participation in sports, healthcare, panchayat and rural development, technical education, skill development, social welfare, urban administration, disaster management, tourism and agriculture.
The Chief Minister described the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue as an important initiative for nurturing leadership among young people. Officials informed the meeting that more than 30 lakh participants took part in the programme in 2025 and that a multi-stage process had been adopted to ensure transparent, impartial and merit-based selection.
The meeting also reviewed initiatives such as the Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament, Viksit Vibrant Village Programme, Viksit Bharat Youth Connect, Youth Icon, Viksit Bharat Padyatra, Sardar@150 Padyatra and Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat.
Sai placed particular emphasis on connecting the youth of Bastar with MY Bharat. He said the region was leaving behind an era of Maoist violence and fear and moving towards peace, confidence and development.
Young people who remained disconnected from mainstream development because of difficult circumstances are now finding new opportunities, he said. Their participation in MY Bharat would increase their confidence, bring recognition to their talent and help them progress according to their abilities.
The Chief Minister said the Bastar Olympics and Bastar Pandum had provided thousands of young people with opportunities to showcase their sporting ability, art and culture over the past two years. MY Bharat should similarly open new avenues for them to participate, grow and assume leadership roles in different fields.
“Our priority is to provide the right opportunities to Bastar’s talented young people and make them active partners in the development of Chhattisgarh and the country,” Sai said.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister was presented with a photograph of tribal artwork created by MY Bharat volunteer Aditi. Sai praised her creativity and artistic talent.
Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rahul Bhagat, Sports and Youth Welfare Secretary Yashwant Kumar, Director Tanuja Salam, MY Bharat Chief Executive Officer Dr Priyanka Shukla, Special Secretary to the Chief Minister Rajat Bansal and state and district-level MY Bharat officials attended the meeting.
