Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri has said India’s youth will play a pivotal role in achieving the Viksit Bharat vision by 2047. Addressing the valedictory session of Shri Ram College of Commerce’s (SRCC) centenary conclave in New Delhi, he highlighted the importance of education, entrepreneurship, energy security and domestic resource development in supporting India’s long-term growth.
Viksit Bharat Vision by 2047: Puri Highlights Youth Leadership
Speaking at Pathways to Viksit Bharat: A Centenary Conclave, Puri said the generation entering its professional prime today would help shape India’s economic and institutional development over the coming decades.
As part of SRCC’s centenary celebrations, he reflected on the institution’s evolution from its origins during the colonial era into a centre preparing young Indians for leadership in business, policymaking and the global economy.
Drawing on philosopher Alfred North Whitehead’s ideas about education, Puri stressed the importance of combining imagination with experience. He encouraged students of commerce and economics to think critically, question conventional assumptions and turn real-world challenges into opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation and economic development.
Samudra Manthan Scheme Targets Offshore Exploration
Highlighting the link between energy security and India’s development ambitions, Puri referred to the Samudra Manthan Scheme, also known as the National Offshore Exploration Scheme. The initiative has an approved outlay of ₹84,084 crore and aims to accelerate exploration of India’s offshore hydrocarbon resources.
The scheme focuses on advanced technologies, shared infrastructure and stronger domestic manufacturing capabilities. Greater domestic exploration could help strengthen energy security and support the country’s wider economic requirements.
GOBARdhan Scheme Promotes Waste-to-Wealth Opportunities
Puri also highlighted the GOBARdhan scheme as an example of the government’s Waste to Wealth approach. The initiative promotes the conversion of agricultural residue and organic waste into useful resources, including energy.
This approach can create additional income opportunities for farmers while supporting energy diversification. Puri described it as an opportunity for farmers to become energy producers alongside their traditional role in food production.
He also pointed to India’s ability to maintain fuel supplies during recent West Asian crises, attributing this resilience to diversified energy sourcing and stronger domestic capabilities.
Viksit Bharat Vision by 2047: Energy Security and Entrepreneurship Drive Growth
Puri’s address connected India’s ambition to become a developed nation by 2047 with youth leadership, education, entrepreneurship and energy security. Initiatives such as Samudra Manthan and GOBARdhan highlight the potential contribution of domestic resource development and waste-based energy to economic growth.
Achieving the Viksit Bharat vision will require continued innovation, institutional development and opportunities for young Indians to contribute across sectors.
