NEW DELHI: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday called upon the nation’s youth to cultivate ethical leadership and dedicate themselves to national service. He emphasized that true leadership is not defined by power or authority, but by an individual’s ability to serve society with humility, integrity, and compassion.
The Vice-President was addressing the participants of the MP LEAD (Legislative Exposure & Administrative Development) Fellowship at Uprashtrapati Bhavan. The two-month internship programme was initiated by Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade to provide young students with first-hand exposure to governance, public policy, and the legislative process.
‘Bharat Was, Is, and Will Always Remain One’
Urging the fellows to place the nation above regional, linguistic, and caste-based identities, VP Radhakrishnan underscored India’s enduring civilizational unity.
“Bharat was one, Bharat is one, and Bharat will always remain one,” the Vice-President stated, highlighting that the country’s shared cultural heritage stretching from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari has always been its greatest strength.
Reflecting on India’s remarkable journey from the food shortages of the 1960s to emerging as one of the world’s largest foodgrain exporters, he encouraged the young participants to draw deep inspiration from the struggles and monumental achievements of previous generations.
Nurturing Future Nation-Builders
Describing the MP LEAD Fellowship as an ideal platform to kickstart a career in public life, the Vice-President noted that such programs expose students to the practical realities of administration while building their confidence through direct interaction with national leaders. He advised the fellows that opportunities must always be matched by merit and continuous self-improvement.
He also underlined the vital importance of constitutional values, reminding the gathering that a democracy truly thrives only when its citizens fulfill their duties alongside their rights.
Expressing tremendous faith in the youth, VP Radhakrishnan remarked that many of the participants would undoubtedly go on to hold key positions in public administration, the judiciary, and political life. He even encouraged them to dream big, noting that one among them could very well become the future Vice-President of India.
Congratulating the 40 fellows—who were selected from a highly competitive pool of over 5,000 applicants—he specifically praised the fact that 62 percent of the cohort are women representing diverse regions across the country. The Vice-President concluded by expressing confidence that the fellowship will actively nurture future leaders committed to building a fully developed and self-reliant India.
