New Delhi

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will attend the opening ceremony of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD), a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, scheduled to begin on January 10, officials said.

The three-day event, to be held at Bharat Mandapam, will bring together more than 2,000 young participants from across the country to deliberate on a wide range of themes linked to nation-building. The ministry said the formal inauguration will take place in the presence of the National Security Advisor.

As part of the programme, India’s World Cup-winning women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur will participate in a fireside interaction on January 11. Renowned sportspersons, including badminton coach Pullela Gopichand and former tennis star Leander Paes, will also engage with delegates during group discussions.

On the first day, participants will attend an orientation session and visit key national landmarks such as the Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya and the National War Memorial.

The VBYLD is designed to provide young Indians with a platform to actively contribute ideas and perspectives towards the vision of a developed India. This year’s dialogue will focus on themes such as youth participation in democracy and governance, women-led development, positioning India as a global start-up hub, cultural diplomacy, global influence, and blending innovation with tradition.

According to the ministry, participants were shortlisted through a nationwide selection process that included essay writing and quizzes, drawing participation from over 50 lakh young people.

January 12, which marks National Youth Day and the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, will be a key highlight of the event. On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with the selected young leaders. A group of participants will also present select ideas to the Prime Minister and receive his guidance and feedback on their vision for a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

READ MORE: Nawabzada Mohammad Asif Ali shows the humble side of royalty

The programme will also feature interactions with prominent national figures, including entrepreneur Sridhar Vembu and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla. In addition, around 80 youth from the Indian diaspora, selected under the Ministry of External Affairs’ Know India Programme, will take part in the dialogue.