Why in the News?

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the establishment of an autonomous body Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat).

About Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat):

• Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), an autonomous body will benefit the youth in the age group of 15-29 years, in line with the definition of ‘Youth’ in the National Youth Policy.
• In the case of programme components specifically meant for adolescents, the beneficiaries will be in the age group of 10-19 years.
• It will help in Setting the focus of the Government on youth-led development and to make the Youth “active drivers” of development and not merely “passive recipients”.
• It will be launched on 31st October 2023 on National Unity Day.

Objective:

• The primary objective of Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) is to make it a whole of Government platform for youth development.
• With access to resources & connection to opportunities, youth would become community change agents and nation builders allowing them to act as the Yuva Setu between the Government and the citizens.
• It seeks to harness the immense youth energy for nation-building.

The establishment of Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) would lead to:

• Leadership Development in the Youth:
• Improve leadership skills through experiential learning by shifting from isolated physical interaction to programmatic skills.
• Investing more in youth to make them social innovators, and leaders in the communities.
• Setting the focus of the Government on youth-led development and making the Youth “active drivers” of development and not merely “passive recipients”.
• Better alignment between youth aspirations and community needs.
• Enhanced efficiency through Convergence of existing programmes.
• Act as a one-stop shop for young people and Ministries.
• Create a centralized youth database.
• Improved two-way communication to connect youth government initiatives and activities of other stakeholders that engage with youth.
• Ensuring accessibility by creating a digital ecosystem.

Why There is a Need for Such Initiative?

• India’s youth are to play a critical role in defining the future of the nation.
• There is a need to establish a new contemporary technology-led platform for the Government to engage with the present-day youth.
• Ensuring accessibility by creating a digital ecosystem
• Mera Yuva Bharat supported by a technology platform would help to increase the Youth outreach efforts of the Department of Youth Affairs.