Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday urged members of Gen Z and Gen Alpha to take up leadership responsibilities and place the nation's interests ahead of personal expectations. Addressing the 36th convocation of Dr M G R Educational & Research Institute in Chennai, Sitharaman told graduating students that while the country was prepared to listen to the aspirations of young people, they also had a responsibility to contribute to society and fulfil their civic duties. She encouraged the students to think beyond what they could receive from the country and instead consider what they could contribute through their education, professional skills and leadership. Her remarks focused on the role of young Indians in strengthening the country's future amid a rapidly changing global environment.

Sitharaman said young people should reflect on developments around them and understand how their individual roles could contribute to the country's progress. Addressing students who identify themselves as Gen Z or Gen Alpha, she said, "Whether you call yourselves Gen Z or Gen Alpha, we are all ready to listen to what you have to say. But you must reflect on what is happening around you, what your role is, and what can be achieved for the country through you." She urged the graduates to use their education not only for personal advancement but also as a means of contributing to the wider national interest. Her message placed particular emphasis on responsibility, participation and leadership as young people enter professional and public life.

Calling on the graduating students to assume leadership positions in their respective fields, Sitharaman said they should put the country first. "Take up leadership. You must lead, and you must put the country first. Only if the country remains secure and strong will we have a home to live in. We should never give up our country," she said. The Finance Minister linked national security and stability with the ability of citizens to build their careers and communities. Her remarks came against the backdrop of continuing conflicts and geopolitical uncertainty in different parts of the world, which she cited while highlighting the importance of a stable and secure national environment for India's development.

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Sitharaman referred to ongoing global conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war and unrest in the Middle East, while discussing the challenges facing countries amid geopolitical uncertainty. She said India had maintained macroeconomic stability despite these external pressures and recorded economic growth of 7.8 per cent. Sitharaman attributed this resilience to the political leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She used the country's economic performance and its ability to navigate global uncertainty to underline the importance of stability as young graduates begin their professional journeys. Her comments also placed the responsibilities of the younger generation within the broader context of India's economic and strategic position.

The Finance Minister also highlighted the opportunities available to young professionals in Tamil Nadu, describing the state as a major industrial and technology hub. She pointed to the Sriperumbudur-Oragadam corridor as a global centre for automobile manufacturing and smartphone exports, indicating the scale of industrial activity in the region. Sitharaman also said Tamil Nadu had around 350 Global Capability Centres, accounting for nearly 10 per cent of the national total. These centres have created opportunities for professionals across technology and other specialised sectors, providing graduates with avenues to build careers while contributing to the state's expanding economic ecosystem.

Sitharaman further highlighted the growth of Global Capability Centres beyond Chennai, pointing to Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchirappalli as emerging locations. She said Coimbatore alone had about 80 GCCs employing 12,000 professionals, while Madurai and Tiruchirappalli were also witnessing rapid growth of such clusters. Her remarks combined a call for young graduates to shoulder greater civic responsibility with an emphasis on the economic opportunities available to them. By urging Gen Z and Gen Alpha to ask what they could contribute to the nation rather than what they could expect from it, Sitharaman called on the graduating generation to connect professional ambition with leadership, national responsibility and broader social contribution.

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