SOMNATH TO YOUTH POWER: PM MODI’S INDIA VISION

Narrators recall PM Modi’s consistent effort to link India’s civilisational heritage with its future aspirations—drawing strength from sacred spaces like Somnath while empowering the youth to lead a confident, innovative nation

To Narendra Modi, Somnath is much more than just a religious destination - PK Laheri, Former chief secretary, Gujarat

As the nation marked the Somnath Swabhimaan Parv, commemorating a thousand years since the Somnath temple first faced destruction by invaders, the emphasis was not on loss, but on resilience. Somnath stands as a symbol of continuity—of faith that survived repeated assaults, of collective memory that refused to fade, and of a civilisation that rebuilt itself with confidence across generations. Its significance lies not merely in what was damaged, but in what endured.

For Narendra Modi, the Somnath Mandir is more than a site of darshan. He has consistently viewed it as a living centre of India’s civilisational story, a place where visitors can engage with history, culture, and spiritual tradition together. His vision was rooted in the belief that temples should help people understand India’s past and how it shapes the present. This approach took concrete form in 2010, when he prepared a detailed set of recommendations for all fifty temples managed by the Somnath Temple Trust.

Based on these recommendations, four major development projects were approved. Cleanliness and hygiene received particular attention, leading to the introduction of a comprehensive solid waste management system that significantly reduced complaints and improved the overall environment for devotees.

To address congestion, parking facilities were streamlined and expanded, making access to the temple smoother and more organised. Today the temple premise has a humongous capacity to hold at least 2,500 four-wheelers and 3,000 two-wheelers in a systematic way, weeding away chances of chaos and inconvenience. Additionally, catering to the need and convenience of families, children, women and elderly, a free bus shuttle service has been introduced so that people don’t have to walk the distance in sun and rain. This too was part of the Modi recommendations.

Another key initiative engineered by Narendra Modi was the development of a seaside walkway. With financial support of Rs 40 crore, the Ocean View Promenade and the Yatradham Tourist Facilitation Centre were created. These projects allowed pilgrims to walk comfortably along the coastline while accessing essential facilities. In addition, a museum dedicated to India’s temple heritage was established. It showcases eight major styles of Hindu temple architecture, from the foundation to the ‘shikhar’ on top, and offers visitors a deeper understanding of India’s architectural and spiritual traditions.

At the heart of these efforts was a simple principle: Somnath is a sacred space, and governance must protect the dignity of faith. By ensuring order, cleanliness, and thoughtful infrastructure, Narendra Modi expanded the temple’s role beyond worship, linking devotion with historical awareness and reinforcing the connection between India’s living present and its ancient civilisational roots. His motto was to provide people a seamless and memorable experience of visiting a religious place and the plethora of facilities thoughtfully extended to tourists and devotees stands testimony to the visionary planning and understanding of people’s needs that Narendra Modi displayed.

Modi ji has made Swami Vivekananda’s mantra of youth empowerment a reality - Hitendra Singh, Pali, Rajasthan, Co-founder, Spantrik India

For Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Swami Vivekananda remains a profound source of inspiration, particularly in shaping his vision for India’s youth. Vivekananda firmly believed that the destiny of a nation rests on the strength, confidence, and moral character of its young people. This philosophy gives enduring significance to National Youth Day, observed on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Over the years, Narendra Modi has transformed this day from a symbolic commemoration into a powerful occasion for motivation and reflection. It serves as a platform to awaken ambition, nurture self-belief, and instill a strong sense of purpose among young Indians.

I belong to a small village in Pali district of Rajasthan where most people have never thought or gone beyond farming. I am perhaps the first person from my village who thought of space and start-up together and thus was born Spantrick, where we work on reusable rockets. Modi ji’s inspiration and encouragement has a big role to play in this venture.

We had the opportunity to meet him during Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue on National Youth Day in Delhi, and showcase our innovation, which impressed him. Help poured in through the Start-up India Seed Funding scheme of the government. We remember as we applied for loan to fund our project, we got approval in just three days and the total requisition of Rs 20 lakh that we had proposed was granted without a fuss. This shows the commitment and sincerity of the Modi government to empower the youth. It is not just tall talk but a reality.

Even during our interaction, I saw how interested he seemed as he asked as several questions regarding the technology. He had a fair knowledge of the technological nitty-gritty and he pushed us to walk the extra mile. PM Modi gave us the vision to aim big and upscale our target. While we were planning to target two rockets a year, he urged us to target 50 instead! While we were looking at the next five years, Modi ji taught us to dream of Developed India 2047. Such was the impact we had interacting with him. We worked hard with renewed energy, and now we have a patented in-house technology capable of reusing different parts of a rocket that it leaves behind as debris in its movement cycle.

The Prime Minister’s message consistently echoes Vivekananda’s timeless call for courage, discipline, hard work, and determination. He urges the youth to rise above limitations, believe in their potential, and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s progress. In this vision, young citizens are not viewed merely as beneficiaries of government programs, but as essential partners in building a developed and self-reliant India.

Policies and initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, innovation, start-ups, and engagement in emerging fields such as technology and space exploration reflect this approach. National Youth Day, therefore, becomes more than a tribute—it evolves into a dynamic platform where ideas find opportunity, responsibility is entrusted to young minds, and youthful energy is harnessed to shape India’s future with confidence and conviction.

COMPILED AND EDITED BY SHASHIKANT SHARMA