Mysuru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre – Viveka Smaraka at the Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama in Mysuru and described Swami Vivekananda as the true embodiment of India’s spirit. He said it is the responsibility of the present generation to transform Vivekananda’s vision of a strong and self-reliant India into reality.
Addressing a large gathering, the Prime Minister offered prayers to Goddess Chamundeshwari and recalled his long association with the Ramakrishna Mission, saying the organisation had played a significant role in shaping his life and values. He praised Mysuru for preserving India’s rich cultural heritage and described the city as a centre of the nation’s civilisational consciousness.
Highlighting the historical bond between Mysuru and Swami Vivekananda, Modi recalled that the then Maharaja Chamaraja Wadiyar had recognised the young monk’s potential and supported his journey to the 1893 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago, where he introduced India’s spiritual heritage to the world.
The Prime Minister said the newly inaugurated Viveka Smaraka should become a centre for nurturing youth dedicated to national service. He lauded the Ramakrishna Ashrama for its century-long contribution in education, healthcare, disaster relief and value-based social service.
ನಮ್ಮ ಯುವಕರ ಸಾಮರ್ಥ್ಯದಿಂದ ಭಾರತವು ವಿವಿಧ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ದಾಪುಗಾಲು ಹಾಕುತ್ತಿದೆ. ನಮ್ಮ ಯುವಜನರ ಬಲವೇ ಆತ್ಮನಿರ್ಭರ ಭಾರತ ಮತ್ತು ಮೇಕ್ ಇನ್ ಇಂಡಿಯಾದಂತಹ ಉಪಕ್ರಮಗಳ ಯಶಸ್ಸಿನ ಹಿಂದಿನ ಪ್ರೇರಕ ಶಕ್ತಿಯಾಗಿದೆ. pic.twitter.com/azduelKqKq
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 1, 2026
Modi said India’s youth are today driving global growth and have transformed the country into the world’s fastest-growing major economy, the third-largest startup ecosystem and a leader in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Deep Tech, Space Technology and innovation. Referring to the recent successful launch of an indigenous private rocket, he said the achievements reflected the confidence and capabilities of young Indians.
He highlighted the Centre’s efforts to strengthen education by establishing more than 650 universities, 14,000 colleges, new IITs and IIMs, increasing MBBS seats to nearly 1.4 lakh, implementing the National Education Policy, developing over 14,000 PM SHRI Schools and setting up 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs to promote innovation and scientific thinking.
The Prime Minister also underlined reforms promoting equality in education, including admission of girls to Sainik Schools and the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the introduction of professional courses in Indian languages.
Calling sports an integral part of nation-building, Modi said initiatives such as Khelo India have helped improve India’s international sporting performance, with athletes from smaller towns bringing laurels to the country.
Urging citizens to contribute to society, he appealed to Mysuru residents to conserve water, maintain cleanliness, promote local handicrafts under the ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign and encourage youngsters to reconnect with Kannada literature instead of excessive dependence on mobile phones.
Expressing confidence that the Viveka Smaraka would inspire generations of young Indians, the Prime Minister said the memorial would become a powerful centre for leadership, patriotism and nation-building, helping realise Swami Vivekananda’s dream of a developed and self-confident India.
