Unity and harmony are imperative for India's development: PM Narendra Modi

Raipur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that India will progress only when its 125 crore citizens remain committed to achieving specific goals.

Speaking at 20th National Youth festival in Raipur, the PM said that the World was looking at India with a sense of hope.

"If we don't have unity,harmony, respect towards each other's traditions and ideas, India might face hurdles in its path of development," he added.

Addressing people via video conference, PM Modi also paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary.

"The moment someone talks about Swami Vivekananda and Bhagat Singh, youth of India feels inspired," he said.

"Earlier people were inspired to die for the nation. Today it is about living for the nation and doing something for India," the PM pointed out.

Talking about the young nation that India was, PM Modi said, "We are blessed to have so many youngsters. If India can be a manufacturing hub, it is not because we have a market or raw materials, it is because we have skilled youngsters."

At the same time he maintained, "Development is about bringing a positive change in lives of the poor. That explains why we have put so much focus on skill development. Parents are proud if their child is a graduate but is it the same when a child went to an ITI? Such a mindset needs to end."