NEW DELHI: From PV Sindhu‘s racquet in Tokyo to a privately built rocket lifting off from Sriharikota, PM Narendra Modi Sunday used Mann Ki Baat to say young Indians were taking the country into arenas once considered beyond reach.In his monthly radio address, Modi singled out Sindhu’s Japan Open triumph, the launch of Vikram-1, and India’s performance at international science Olympiads as signs of a confident generation succeeding in sports, science and technology.“Our youth have achieved remarkable feats in sports recently. PV Sindhu has become the first Indian to win the Japan Open title in badminton; the entire nation is proud of this achievement of hers,” Modi said.

Turning to space, he said Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed orbital rocket, showed what young innovators could achieve when new doors were opened. Built by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, it placed six payloads in low-Earth orbit on July 18. “Keeping the interests of the youth in mind, we opened up the space sector to private enterprise, and today, the world is witnessing the results.”He praised school students for winning 12 gold and seven silver medals across physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics Olympiads.Meanwhile, he lauded the youth as the energy behind the resolve of a developed India and said they will also be its biggest beneficiary as he held a virtual interaction with young participants of “Viksit Vibrant Village” programme. “When the youth directly connect with the country’s challenges and their solutions, then the future will certainly be bright,” he said.Speaking to youngsters who had visited border villages as part of a govt initiative, he said, “The more India’s youth understand its border villages, the more easily they will know the country and connect with all its corners.”