New Delhi, October 31, 2025: The Indian Army, in collaboration with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), organised the Young Leaders Forum (YLF) titled ‘Veer Yuva: Empowering Youth for India’s National Security and Development’ at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.
Held as a prelude to the Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2025 and coinciding with National Unity Day commemorating Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary, the forum celebrated the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. It underlined the role of youth as both drivers and beneficiaries of India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat @2047.
The event brought together young achievers from the military, academia, industry, think tanks, and entrepreneurship, along with NCC cadets and school students. Conducted in hybrid mode, the sessions were streamed live to Army training institutions, IITs, and universities across the country.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju paid tribute to Sardar Patel and Major Bob Khathing, urging the youth and Armed Forces to uphold discipline, integrity, and commitment to the nation’s progress.
General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, highlighted India’s demographic strength with 65 percent of its population below 35 years of age. He noted that the Army’s “Decade of Transformation” is anchored in innovation, restructuring, and youth participation through initiatives such as Army Cells in IITs and the Indian Army Internship Programme 2025.
Shri Tejasvi Surya, Member of Parliament, in his address titled “An Inspiring Vision for India’s Future”, lauded India’s achievements in space exploration, digital governance, and entrepreneurship, encouraging young citizens to contribute to a self-reliant and united India.
The Forum concluded with a collective message that India’s youth are the nation’s greatest strength — builders of prosperity and defenders of sovereignty. The discussions will feed into the larger dialogue at the Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2025, scheduled later this year.
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB) – Ministry of Defence
