India’s young population could become a powerful engine of growth if nurtured properly, said Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday (August 15, 2026), warning that it could also become a burden if young people were not properly equipped, employed and guided.
The RSS chief also stressed that employment should not be understood only as securing salaried jobs.
“if the youth are nurtured well, they can become an asset for the nation and help the country realise its ambition of becoming a “Vishwaguru” (world leader), but if not, they could become a burden on society,” he said, adding that those who are young today will be old in 30 years and urged them to be mindful of and considerate towards the generation that follows them. “India needs to establish its own benchmarks for progress after studying its challenges carefully,” he said, adding that the country’s large population, limited geographical space and different resource base require a distinct development strategy. Manual labour, industry and entrepreneurship must receive greater respect, he said, urging young people to have the courage to take risks, overcome setbacks and create successful ventures. Stating that India has a responsibility to offer its own perspective to the world, the RSS chief said, “Our idea of progress cannot be restricted to wealth creation, like much of the world which approaches development primarily through material advancement.”
“Differences of opinion and even opposition are natural and, at times, necessary.
Issues raised in the public interest should be voiced strongly, with people standing firmly behind them,” he said.
