Prime Minister Modi Hands Over 51,000 Appointment Letters at Rozgar Mela, Highlights Youth Power and Employment Initiatives

  Dipanjan Mondal

New Delhi: On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Rozgar Mela through videoconferencing and handed out over 51,000 appointment letters to young people in various Government departments and organizations. He congratulated the new hires, stating that today marks the start of new responsibilities for them within different branches of the Government of India. He reminded them that although their roles may vary, their common aim is national service, guided by the idea of "Citizen First."

“Today, more than 51 thousand youths have received appointment letters. Through employment fairs like this, millions of young people have already secured permanent jobs in the Government. Now these young individuals are playing a significant role in nation-building,” the Prime Minister said.

The Rozgar Mela took place at 47 locations nationwide as part of the Government's ongoing efforts to provide jobs and empower the youth. To date, over 10 lakh recruitment letters have been issued through Rozgar Melas.

The Prime Minister emphasized India's strengths—its population and democracy—as key drivers for progress. “The world recognizes today that India has two limitless strengths. One is its population, the other is its democracy. In other words, we have the largest youth population and the largest democracy,” he stated. He mentioned his recent tour of five countries and noted that everywhere he went, people acknowledged the power of India's youth. “Just two days ago, I returned from a visit to five nations. In every country I visited, the strength of India’s youth was heard clearly. The agreements signed during this tour will benefit young people in India and abroad,” the Prime Minister added.

He further explained that agreements made in defense, pharmaceuticals, digital technology, energy, and rare earth minerals would create significant benefits. “These initiatives will not only boost India's global economic position but also create valuable opportunities for young Indians in both manufacturing and services,” he noted.

Highlighting changes in employment trends, the Prime Minister pointed out that the nature of jobs is rapidly changing. He stressed the growing need for innovation, startups, and research, and how the environment being developed in India is uplifting the youth. “The environment of startups, innovation, and research is improving the abilities of our young people,” he stated. He expressed confidence in the younger generation, saying he takes pride in seeing them approach challenges with ambition and a desire to build something new.

The Prime Minister also discussed the Government's focus on increasing private sector jobs. He said, “The Government is also focused on creating new job opportunities in the private sector with the recently approved Employment Linked Incentive Scheme.” Under this scheme, the Government will give ₹15,000 to young people who get their first job in the private sector. “In other words, the Government will contribute to the first salary of their first job. For this, the Government has set aside around ₹1 lakh crore. This scheme is expected to help create about 3.5 crore new jobs,” the Prime Minister stated.

He stressed the growth of India's manufacturing sector as a major job creator. “Today, one of India's biggest strengths is our manufacturing sector. A large number of new jobs are being created in this area,” the Prime Minister said. He also referred to the recent budget announcement. “To boost manufacturing, the Mission Manufacturing has been introduced in this year's budget,” he noted.

The Prime Minister shared figures reflecting the impact of the Make in India initiative. “Thanks to the PLI (Production Linked Incentive) scheme alone, over 1.1 million jobs have been created nationwide. There has been unprecedented growth in the mobile phone and electronics sector. Today, electronics manufacturing in India is worth nearly ₹11 lakh crore, which is more than five times what it was 11 years ago. Earlier, there were only 2 to 4 units making mobile phones in the country. Now, India has nearly 300 mobile phone manufacturing units, employing thousands of young people,” he said.

He also mentioned the growth of defense manufacturing and the automotive sector. “India has become a global leader in defense manufacturing, with output exceeding ₹1.25 lakh crore,” he shared. “The automobile sector has attracted $40 billion in foreign investments in just five years, leading to new factories, job opportunities, and record vehicle sales,” he added. He noted that India is now the largest producer of locomotives in the world and is exporting locomotives, rail coaches, and metro coaches.

The Rozgar Mela and the Government's renewed focus on jobs reflect the hopes and concerns of millions of young Indians preparing for exams, applying for government roles, or waiting for their first job. In India, where a government job signifies stability, respect, and long-term security, the image of the Prime Minister personally handing out appointment letters is emotionally resonant and sends a strong political message. 

With the announcement of the Employment Linked Incentive Scheme promising to create 3.5 crore new jobs with a ₹1 lakh crore budget, along with thousands of appointment letters already distributed through Rozgar Melas, the government is clearly tackling the issue of unemployment. 

Surveys conducted before the 2024 general election consistently indicate that jobs are a primary concern for voters, especially young ones. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, many young and first-time voters supported the BJP, and this outreach may help the party strengthen its base further. In electorally significant states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, where government jobs are highly sought after and competition is intense, these recruitment efforts are likely to resonate with the public. 

For many families, a government job is more than just a pay check; it represents a milestone that brings pride, stability, and upward mobility. By helping realize those aspirations, the ruling party reinforces its image as a deliverer of development. In an election, such trust can easily convert to votes.

Speaking about welfare schemes, the Prime Minister said they not only provide support but also create jobs. “A report from the International Labour Organization states that over the past decade, more than 90 crore citizens in India have benefited from welfare schemes,” he mentioned. He elaborated on programs like the PM Awas Yojana, which has led to the construction of 4 crore houses and 3 crore more are currently underway. He talked about the Swachh Bharat Mission, which has built 12 crore toilets and created jobs for plumbers and workers.

The Ujjwala Yojana, which has provided over 10 crore LPG connections, has created a network of bottling plants and distribution centers. “The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which offers over ₹75,000 per household for rooftop solar installations, is lowering household electricity bills and creating job opportunities for technicians, engineers, and solar panel manufacturers. The Namo Drone Didi initiative has empowered rural women by training them as drone pilots,” he noted.

PM Modi shared that 1.5 crore women have already become “Lakhpati Didis” through the government’s mission to empower 3 crore women financially. He also referenced schemes like Bank Sakhi, Bima Sakhi, Krishi Sakhi, and Pashu Sakhi, which have helped rural women find stable jobs. He highlighted the PM SVANidhi scheme for street vendors and hawkers, and the PM Vishwakarma Scheme for artisans and craftsmen, which provide training, tools, and credits.

The Prime Minister concluded that these combined efforts have made a significant impact. “Because of these numerous schemes, in just the past ten years, 25 crore people have come out of poverty. Without job opportunities, this change would not have been possible. This is why today, major global institutions like the World Bank are recognizing India. India is now considered one of the top countries in the world regarding equality,” he said.

Referring to this time as a “Mahayagya of development,” the Prime Minister urged the new appointees to advance the mission of employment and poverty eradication with dedication and enthusiasm. He ended his address by encouraging a sense of service. “Nagrik Devo Bhava,” he said, wishing the new recruits a bright and meaningful career in public service.