VP Radhakrishnan Urges Darjeeling Youth to Balance Heritage & Development
Calls on young citizens to drive innovation while preserving identity
- Vice-President interacts with Darjeeling youth at Uprashtrapati Bhavan
- Emphasizes cultural preservation alongside economic progress
- Discusses migration, sustainable tourism and disaster resilience
- Encourages entrepreneurship in Darjeeling tea and sports development
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 24th Jan: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday interacted with a youth delegation from Darjeeling at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, calling upon young citizens to preserve their cultural heritage while actively contributing to national development.
Welcoming the delegation, he described it as a pleasure to host vibrant young minds from a region known for its natural beauty, rich traditions and contribution to the nation. He said the youth represent the aspirations of a confident and forward-looking India. Rajya Sabha Member Harsh Vardhan Shringla was also present on the occasion.
Highlighting India’s demographic strength, the Vice-President said the vision of Viksit Bharat and AatmaNirbhar Bharat requires innovation, integrity and enterprise from young citizens. Self-reliance, he noted, reflects both confidence in national capabilities and pride in cultural roots.
During the interaction, students raised concerns regarding outmigration, sustainable tourism, disaster resilience, Darjeeling tea and sports infrastructure. On migration, he described it as a global phenomenon driven by economic aspirations but stressed the importance of preserving identity and traditions.
Addressing sustainable tourism, he emphasized environmentally responsible development to strengthen regional economies without compromising ecological balance. Referring to the vulnerability of hilly regions, he underlined the need for enhanced disaster preparedness, improved infrastructure and coordinated initiatives such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
He also acknowledged the global reputation of Darjeeling tea and encouraged value addition and entrepreneurship. On sports development, he called for integrated infrastructure and institutional support to nurture grassroots talent.
Expressing happiness at seeing the youth in traditional attire, the Vice-President said he deeply respects those who consciously preserve their cultural legacy. He urged them to remain rooted in their heritage while embracing emerging opportunities, expressing confidence that they would contribute meaningfully to nation-building.
