Interaction with meritorious students of the AP Board from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh

On this splendid occasion, dignitaries on the dais with me: Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Government of India, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar Ji; Member of Legislative Assembly, Guntur West, Smt. Galla Madhavi Ji; and other dignitaries.

It gives me immense happiness to address you all! First of all, I congratulate each one of you for your excellent performance. You would have received many congratulatory messages for the high marks on your marksheet, but for me, it is a reflection of your discipline, hard work, and determination. You have made your parents, teachers, schools, and society proud.

I appreciate the efforts and commitment of Hon’ble Minister Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar Ji towards the development of education and youth empowerment. His dedication to encouraging students and supporting initiatives for academic excellence is truly praise-worthy. His inspiring journey and commitment to public service will serve as a motivation for young students to dream big, work hard, and contribute meaningfully to the progress of the nation.

I am told that most of you are students from Government Schools. Let me tell you something very important — education is the most powerful instrument you possess to transform your life, uplift your family, strengthen your community, and contribute to the progress of the Nation. No force in the world is more powerful than knowledge combined with determination. Each one of you is talented and full of potential. There may be moments when you feel discouraged or uncertain about your future. There may be challenges around you. But never allow your present circumstances to limit your dreams or define your destiny. Always remember — where you come fromdoes not decide where you can go. With hard work, discipline, self-belief, and continuous learning, you can achieve heights far beyond your imagination.

Take the example of our own nation, Bharat. For nearly 200 years, our country remained under colonial rule. Before that, most of North India remained under Mughal rule. At the time of Independence, India faced immense challenges on almost every front — poverty, illiteracy, lack of infrastructure, and a weak economy. We were even divided into hundreds of Riyasats, which had to be unified. Our GDP then was barely around 2.5 lakh crore Rupees. But the story of Bharat since Independence is a story of resilience, determination, and transformation. Over the past decade in particular, India’s economy has witnessed remarkable growth, and today our nominal GDP has crossed 4 trillion dollars, making India one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world. This extraordinary progress has been made possible through the hard work, talent, and aspirations of millions of Indians, combined with the visionary leadership and transformative policies of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shriman Narendra Modi Ji. Today, Bharat is emerging as a global economic powerhouse and moving confidently towards the vision of a Viksit Bharat. Dear students, always remember this — many of the great scientists, administrators, teachers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders who shaped the success story of our nation came from government schools and public institutions. Your dreams are equally powerful in our march towards our target at 2047.

I am especially happy to note that out of the 41 meritorious students being honoured today, 27 are girls. Whenever I go to convocations or prize ceremonies, I find most of the gold medallists are girls. This is a matter of immense pride and a powerful reflection of the rising strength of Nari Shakti in our nation. The success of these young girls is a symbol of the changing aspirations and growing empowerment of women in Bharat. These young achievers are shining examples of the spirit of Nari Shakti that is shaping the future of a strong, inclusive, and developed Viksit Bharat.

Children, you are very young, and this is an age when you will encounter many distractions. At this important stage of your life, I wish to give you a very important message — always stay away from drugs and all harmful addictions, including social media. Choose sports, reading, creativity and positive friendships instead. Keep your mind focused on your goals, your studies, and your responsibilities towards your family and the nation. The youth of Bharat are the greatest strength of our country. I urge each one of you to become ambassadors of awareness and inspire your friends and communities to stay away from drugs and lead a life of purpose, dignity, and self-respect.

I take this opportunity to appreciate the teachers and parents. Behind every successful student stands the silent dedication of teachers and the unconditional support of parents. Your encouragement and guidance are building the future of the nation.
Dear students, as you move ahead in life, always remember three things: Work hard with sincerity, Remain humble in success and use your knowledge for the welfare of society. May you continue to shine brightly and inspire many others through your achievements. Once again, my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all of you for a bright, meaningful, and successful future.

• Jai Hind!
• Long Live Mother Bharat!