‘Travel Dispels Misconceptions; Border Villages Are Not the Last, But India’s First Villages’: PM Narendra Modi
Over 400 Youth Share Experiences from 74 Border Villages Under Viksit Vibrant Village Programme 2026; Six Participants Represent Dehradun
Dehradun, July 26, 2026:
In a significant initiative aimed at connecting India’s youth with the country’s border regions and highlighting their strategic, cultural and developmental importance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted virtually with more than 400 young participants who recently completed visits to 74 border villages across Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand under the Viksit Vibrant Village Programme (VVVP) 2026.
The interaction, organised through the MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat) platform, provided participants with an opportunity to share their firsthand experiences of life in India’s frontier villages and understand the transformation taking place in these remote regions.
403 Youth Selected from Over Three Lakh Applicants
More than three lakh young people from across the country participated in a nationwide quiz competition conducted under the MY Bharat initiative. Based on their performance, 403 outstanding participants were selected for the immersive border village exposure programme.
Uttarakhand was represented by 15 participants, including six youths from Dehradun—Shivang Ramola, Neha Revankar, Palak Panthri, Akanksha Bisht, Sandeep Negi and Vardan—who experienced the unique lifestyle, culture and developmental journey of the border communities.
Border Villages Are India’s First Villages: Prime Minister
Addressing the participants, Prime Minister Modi said that the government’s perspective towards border villages has undergone a transformational change. These settlements should no longer be viewed as the country’s last villages but as India’s first villages, playing a vital role in national security, cultural preservation and regional development.
“Travel dispels misconceptions. Only by visiting places and interacting with people can we truly understand the spirit of our nation. Border villages may be geographically remote, but they embody unmatched patriotism, vibrant traditions and rich cultural heritage that strengthen the vision of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.”
The Prime Minister encouraged the youth to share their experiences widely through educational institutions, communities and social media, inspiring more citizens to explore India’s border regions and promote border tourism.
A 30-Day Journey of Learning and Inspiration
The exposure programme was conducted in two phases from June 3 to June 30, 2026, enabling participants to witness the rapid transformation taking place in India’s frontier villages.
During the tour, the youth observed the implementation of key infrastructure and development initiatives, including:
- All-weather roads
- Reliable electricity and drinking water supply
- Solar-powered lighting
- Internet connectivity
- Digital banking facilities
- Improved healthcare and education infrastructure
Participants also interacted closely with local residents, gaining insights into their traditions, customs, livelihoods and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s borders.
Many described the visit as more than an educational tour, calling it a life-changing experience that deepened their appreciation for the resilience, hospitality and patriotism of border communities.
Enthusiastic Participation at NIC Dehradun
The virtual interaction was also broadcast at the National Informatics Centre (NIC), Dehradun, where participants and officials joined the programme with great enthusiasm.
Among those present were Project Director Vikram Singh, State Director Rahul Dabral, Deputy Director Monica Nandal, District Informatics Officer Ankush Pandey, along with several officials and youth associated with the MY Bharat initiative.
The participants praised the Prime Minister’s vision behind the programme, stating that the Viksit Vibrant Village Programme is not only accelerating the development of border areas but is also fostering patriotism, national unity and greater awareness among India’s youth about the country’s strategic frontier regions.
The initiative is being viewed as a significant step towards strengthening citizen engagement and encouraging the younger generation to contribute actively to the vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
