THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, DELHI

• Director, Gujarat National Law University, Prof. Dr. S. Shantha kumar,

• Registrar, Gujarat National Law University, Dr. Nitin Malik,

• Faulty Members, 

• Distinguished Guests and my dear students of Gujarat National Law University.

India is today at a defining point in its development journey. As we look towards 2047, the centenary of our Independence, the question before us is not simply how large our economy can become or how advanced our technology can be.

The larger question is, what kind of nation, we want India to be, and what role, each generation, particularly our young people, will play, in building it.

India @2047, is a vision of a developed, and confident India, but it is also a vision, that places people, at its centre. Our young population, will be one of our greatest strengths, in this journey. 

Our young population will be one of our greatest strengths in this journey. The challenge before us is to translate this demographic potential into knowledge, skills, employment, entrepreneurship and responsible leadership.

The future will demand more than academic qualifications. It will require practical skills, adaptability, digital literacy, communication, problem-solving and, above all, the ability to keep learning in a rapidly changing world.

This brings us to the larger question of what India’s growth should look like as we move towards 2047.

In his Independence Day address this year, our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji, presented the idea of Sapt Dhara—seven streams of strength that can give India greater momentum in the years ahead. These include manufacturing; agriculture and food production; technology and innovation; Gati Shakti; defence capabilities; the green and blue economy; and India’s soft power.

This framework offers an important perspective on the role of young Indians. Our youth should not merely be beneficiaries of these opportunities. They must become the innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders who drive them.

Take manufacturing. India has an opportunity to become a trusted partner in global supply chains. This requires capabilities across the entire value chain—from components and design to advanced manufacturing and finished products.

For young Indians, this creates opportunities in engineering, research, robotics, electronics, logistics, product design and entrepreneurship. Our ambition should not simply be to make products in India, but increasingly to design, develop and innovate in India.

The same is true of agriculture and food production. India has enormous strengths in agriculture, and the opportunity ahead lies in connecting our farms more effectively with technology, food processing, branding and global markets. Young people can contribute through agritech, supply-chain innovation and sustainable agricultural practices.

Technology and innovation will perhaps be among the most important drivers of India’s future.

India must not remain merely a market for emerging technologies; it must become a hub of innovation. Artificial intelligence, quantum technology, space research, robotics, semiconductors, cyber-security and next-generation communications are opening up opportunities that were barely visible to previous generations.

This is where the imagination and enterprise of young Indians become particularly important.

Innovation should not be understood only in terms of large laboratories or technology companies. It can emerge from a university, a start-up, an MSME, a village, a farm or even a classroom. Often, innovation begins with the simple willingness to question an existing practice and discover a better way of doing things.

There is also a strong connection between infrastructure and opportunity. Gati Shakti is not simply about building roads, railways, airports, ports and logistics networks. It is about integrating these systems so that people, goods and businesses can move more efficiently.

The same principle applies to the green and blue economy. India’s transition towards renewable energy, green hydrogen, energy storage, green mobility and sustainable manufacturing will create new areas of employment and innovation. Our coastline also offers opportunities in fisheries, maritime industries, coastal tourism and ocean technology.

These are not merely environmental priorities; they are emerging economic sectors in which young Indians can play a leading role.

India’s soft power is equally important. Our culture, yoga, Ayurveda, handicrafts, cinema, animation, gaming, digital content and creative industries are increasingly shaping how the world experiences India. Young Indians are already taking Indian creativity and talent to global audiences.

But as we think about growth, we must remember that development must ultimately improve the lives of ordinary citizens.

As students, you have a special responsibility in shaping the India of tomorrow. A developed nation is not built through economic progress alone. It also requires the rule of law, transparent institutions, accountable governance and public trust.

In a rapidly changing world, new questions are emerging around artificial intelligence, data protection, cybersecurity, digital commerce and intellectual property. These developments will require legal professionals who combine sound legal knowledge with technological awareness, independent thinking and ethical judgement.

How do we encourage innovation while protecting citizens’ rights? How do we ensure that technology remains accountable? How do we make justice more accessible, timely and affordable?

These are questions that your generation will increasingly be called upon to address.

I encourage you to view law not merely as a profession, but as an instrument of public service and nation-building.

Our educational institutions have a particularly important role in this process. Universities must not only prepare students for examinations or employment; they must encourage curiosity, critical thinking, research, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The generation that will shape India in 2047 will also inherit a world facing challenges very different from those of previous generations. Climate change, energy security, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological disruption will all influence our future.

Young Indians must therefore be prepared not only to compete in this changing world, but also to help shape it—with confidence in India’s capabilities, respect for constitutional values and a commitment to the welfare of humanity.

As we look towards 2047, our objective should not simply be to prepare young Indians for the future. We must enable them to create that future.

My dear students,

The journey towards a developed India is a collective national endeavour. Governments can create opportunities, institutions can nurture talent, and industry can provide avenues for enterprise. But it is the vision, character, creativity and commitment of our young people that will ultimately determine how far we progress.

As you pursue your education at Gujarat National Law University, I urge you to think boldly, act ethically, embrace innovation and remain conscious of your responsibility towards society.

Do not limit yourselves to asking what India can offer you. Ask yourselves what you can contribute to India.

Let us work together towards an India that is prosperous in its economy, innovative in its outlook, just in its institutions, inclusive in its opportunities and confident in its place in the world.

India @2047 is not merely a vision for the future. It is a responsibility we must fulfil through our actions today.

Thank You.

Jai Hind.