Colonel Sofiya Qureshi conveyed her message to young leader for Indian Army, as she addressed the Chanakya Defence Dialogue of Indian Army on the theme “Veer Yuva: Empowering Youth for India’s National Security”. She highlighted the increasing role of youth at various aspects at the global face. She invoked the example of Azerbaijan-Armenia war and Russia-Ukraine war to emphasise on the fact that well trained and directed youth will lead the future of the warfare and strategy.
00:00It's indeed a flagship event hosted by Indian Army to channelize and engage the young youths.
00:09Almost 9,000 were connected here with this forum.
00:13Not only that, but also to align you all towards Vixit Bharat 2047 in a true sense.
00:22Well, this initiative reflects a profound truth. Responsibilities of a defense of a nation is just not the military game, but also lies on civilians, both for the external and internal threats.
00:40This forum speaks about New India, Naya Bharat, and our theme, volunteering for Vaila.
00:50It draws from the Indian ethos, Seva Parmo Dharma.
00:56Service is the highest virtue. It celebrates the spirit of every soldier, every citizen, and every volunteer who think about the security of the nation.
01:30It means the nation is protected by both, knowledge and weapon.
01:35And if we look at the ancient time, the teachings of shastr and shastr in our gurukul times.
01:42Do you remember that?
01:43Over the years, Indian army has been steadfast in imparting training to officers, to troops.
01:52In both, shastr means knowledge, strategy and wisdom.
01:57Shastr means weaponry and warfare, embodying the perfect melange of intellect and strength.
02:08Now, let me take you to the gallant history of legends of our nation.
02:14Every generation has carried the flame of patriotism.
02:18From baby boomers to Gen Z, and me belongs to millennials, and I have a son who belongs to Gen Z.
02:28Be it seven decades ago, or be it obsendur, you all have witnessed.
02:33When we talk about courage, conviction and sacrifice, we remember the most revered figures of young freedom fighters.
02:44I repeat, young freedom fighters, because this is the forum for the young leaders.
02:49Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Jai Dev Kapoor, and Ashwa Kulla Khan, at the age when most youth changes dream, or comfort, and success,
03:03they only dreamt of only one thing, that is freedom of our nation.
03:10Well, the same flame of sacrifice burns in the heart of our soldiers and the citizens.
03:17I would like to quote here, the young war heroes, Captain Vikram Batra, who echoed the immortal words,
03:27Yeh Dil Mange Mor, are you all aware?
03:31Yes, after capturing 0.4875 in Kargil, are you getting the goosebumps?
03:37Lieutenant Manoj Pandey, who roared, saying, if death strikes, before I prove my blood, I swear, I will kill the death.
03:49Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who stood, forming Mumbai attack, who said, don't come up, I will handle them.
03:59This is the confidence, my dear friends.
04:01Captain Hanifuddin, who known for his courage, he led his men to capture strategic heights in Tololing, under intense fire.
04:14Bravery has no gender.
04:17Many women participated in freedom fighting, and few young women officers were also being part of the highest battlefield at Siachen.
04:26Remember, war is not only fought at the bunkers or by the bullets, but also by the bites and the bandwidth.
04:56Let me give you insight of the global statistics, why we are talking about the national security with the youth.
05:05It's just not the Indian perspective, it is also the global perspective.
05:09There's one study, which is done by the UN, from 2018 to 2024, and which says that,
05:16world half population is under the age of 30.
05:20Rightly heard, under the age of 30.
05:25And one youth among four lives in cataclysmic violence or conflicts.
05:32The number of UN country teams running youth security program, that also got doubled, from 20% to 40%.
05:40Youth participation in peace and security, I'm talking about global percentage, it has also surged from 7% to 57%.
05:54It means 50% hike.
05:57This statistic was the global perspective.
06:02Now, we look at the India.
06:04India is one of the youngest nation on this globe.
06:09And if you look at the percentage, over 65% population is below 35 years of age, which belongs to Gen Z.
06:18And this is just not a demographic dividend.
06:22It is our strategic reserve.
06:23Think about it.
06:25A potent source of energy, innovations and commitments.
06:30You are the generation who will see Vixit Bharat, 100% developed nation.
06:37And secure and which is technological sovereign nation.
06:42You must be around 2025 now.
06:45And after 20 years.
06:46There are around 53 conflicts going on around the globe.
06:54And some of them, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Israel, Hamas and Russia, Ukraine.
07:01Where young innovators have led the warfare in technology and cognitive domains.
07:07For example, application of drones, cyber, electronic warfare, information warfare.
07:14This warfare has redefined the role of the youth.
07:18That's why we are here at the Chanakir Defense Dialogue.
07:22And we are talking about channelizing the energy of the youth.
07:26Youth have played pivotal role.
07:29Both in uniform and as civilians.
07:31In strengthening national security framework.
07:35Your energy, innovations and sense of duty have been instrumental in safeguarding the country's border.
07:42And also in disaster relief programs.
07:45Youth have been driving force behind a safer and a more resilient nation.
07:51Now I will talk about the Opsindur.
07:54The Opsindur has brought a paradigm shift in war fighting.
07:59Which has proved that peace, stability and progress cannot be sustained without the participation of the young minds and the civilians.
08:09It has validated the India's capability for multi-domain precision warfare.
08:15We call it fifth generation.
08:17An extraordinary demonstration of price-service synergy.
08:21Joinness, integration, aatune bharata.
08:26Somebody call it as Jai, Jai AI.
08:28With whole of nation approach.
08:31A new normal where the youth from industry, academia and armed forces operate as one integrated security ecosystem.
08:40Well, under the leadership of the chief of the army staff, the Indian army is nurturing young officers in niche technology like AI, cyber.
08:51With multiple projects in liaison with IITs, DRDO and various agencies.
08:57Officers and troops are also participating in innovation and IDEX like hackathon and cyber warrior.
09:04And lots have been done.
09:05Well, I have written few lines for our young youth sitting over here and those listening to me.
09:13Kush Shabd is Prakaar.
09:14Now Kush Shabd is Prakaar.
09:19सैनिक, नागरिक, संग खड़े हैं, एक संग, एक स्वर में, हर पर्योग शाला में सुरक्षा की नई परिभाशा गड़ी जाती है, हर कक्षा में राश्र भक्ती की अगनी सिखाई जाती है,
09:34हर कोड, हर विचार, हर अविशकार बनता है भारत का नया कवच, यूवा ही वह शक्ती है, यूवा ही वह शक्ती है, जिससे उड़ता है आत्म निभरता का उटकश,
09:49my brave young friends, the future of Bharat, rest in your hands, so be a warrior, even if you are a soldier, or you are a teacher, or you are a coder, designer, whatever, remember,
10:04success is achieved through efforts, not by mere desire, so this is the time you have to think and act,
10:15this is the time you have to think next 20 years, what will be your vision, if you think now, then you will get the result after 20 years, one small acronym, ABC of kids, I want you to remember this today,
10:30and when you go back, note down your diary, what is your vision, the ABC of the kids, A stands for the agile, alert, and B, little alert and act smartly when you forward any post,
10:45be bold and brave, and especially encountering fake narratives, C, be courageous, competent, and have a character, that is important, kids, care for the knowledge,
10:58if you have a knowledge, you will definitely have a success, I, for the innovations, ideas, and inspire others, D, be disciplined and dynamic, and also dare to dream,
11:13give wings to your dream, and fly like a phoenix, S for the Sachat and Suraqshit Bharat, that will be possible my dear friends, when you are sincere, and you think about the country,
11:26So always remember, let this generation be as that kept the India secure, strong and united.
11:35As the sentinels of the self-reliant Surakshit and Sashat Bharat.
11:41It's a national unity day today.
11:43So I would request all of you to stay united, stay vigilant, stay blessed and always remember one thing which I always say.
11:52Whatever you do, remember nation first, always and every time.
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