PM Modi Calls Tourism Key Livelihood Source for Youth at Chief Secretaries Meet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said tourism can emerge as a major livelihood source for India’s youth and urged all states to develop at least one global-level tourist destination. Addressing the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries in New Delhi, he called for building a complete tourism ecosystem around such destinations, leveraging India’s rich heritage and history to position the country among the world’s top travel hubs.

Highlighting India’s demographic strength, PM Modi said the nation has boarded the “reform express,” driven by its young population. He described the conference as timely, noting that India is undergoing next-generation reforms while steadily advancing toward becoming a major global economic power. He stressed that empowering youth remains central to the government’s long-term vision of Viksit Bharat.

The Prime Minister underscored the importance of quality and excellence in governance, manufacturing and service delivery. He said the “Made in India” label must become a global symbol of zero-defect products and minimal environmental impact. Emphasising Atma Nirbharta, he urged the Centre and states to jointly identify 100 products for domestic manufacturing to reduce import dependence and strengthen economic resilience.

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PM Modi also focused on skilling, education and sports as pillars of future growth. He called for mapping skill demand at both state and global levels and closer collaboration between academia and industry. On sports, he stressed aligning India’s calendar with global events and preparing infrastructure and talent for hosting the 2036 Olympics, with sustained investment in young athletes over the next decade.

Announcing that the National Manufacturing Mission will be launched soon, the Prime Minister asked states to prioritise infrastructure, ease of doing business and social facilities to attract global companies. He also highlighted the potential of healthcare, education, transport, tourism, AI and professional services to make India a global services powerhouse, while pushing for high-value agriculture and export-led growth.

Emphasising technology-driven governance, PM Modi urged states to adopt artificial intelligence, strengthen cyber security and prepare 10-year actionable plans for monitoring progress. He also called for digitisation of ancient manuscripts under the Gyan Bharatam Mission and capacity-building initiatives in partnership with the Capacity Building Commission. The three-day conference concluded with a focus on education, skilling and sports as foundations of a future-ready India.

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