Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports collaborates with Miranda House to Champion ‘Volunteerism and Youth Leadership’

MY Bharat Platform Driving Structured Youth Engagement for Viksit Bharat @2047

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, in collaboration with Miranda House, University of Delhi, celebrated International Youth Day 2025 with great enthusiasm yesterday. The event witnessed active participation from youth volunteers, students, representatives of international organisations, and distinguished dignitaries, who gathered to mark the occasion on the vibrant campus of Miranda House, New Delhi. The theme for this year’s celebration, “Volunteerism and Youth Leadership (Impact of Volunteering)”, highlighted the critical role of youth engagement in nation-building and community development. The celebration commenced with the lamp lighting ceremony, followed by an inaugural address by Professor (Dr.) Bijayalaxmi Nanda, Principal, Miranda House.

Speaking at the International Youth Day celebrations at Miranda House, the Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, Dr. Pallavi Jain Govil highlighted the pivotal role of India’s youth in building a peaceful, sustainable and equitable world. Emphasising the concept of “glocal volunteering” — thinking globally while acting locally — the Secretary lauded the transformative potential of the Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) platform launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in 2023. The platform, with over 1.80 crore registered users, is enabling structured youth engagement, fostering leadership, and connecting young citizens to causes aligned with national priorities and global goals.

The event featured comprehensive presentations of student-led initiatives wherein Miranda House students showcased their impactful pre-event activities including an e-waste Collection Drive conducted from 4^th -11^th August 2025, demonstrating environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, the Clean, Green and Safe Campus Drive encompassing cleanliness initiatives, plantation drives, and comprehensive campus safety audits, and a Creative Competition across various themes.

Two substantive panel discussions constituted the core deliberative sessions of the programme. The first panel discussion on “Young Voices, Shared Futures: Reimagining Global Youth Action” featured distinguished panellists, including Sh. Nitesh Kumar Mishra, Joint Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, along with senior representatives from United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The discourse focused on youth diplomacy, inclusive governance mechanisms, and collaborative decision-making frameworks across international boundaries.

The second panel discussion on “Volunteering as a Catalyst for Global Cooperation” examined cross-border youth engagement paradigms and intercultural exchange mechanisms, facilitating comprehensive dialogue on international volunteer cooperation frameworks.

Miranda House Dramatics Society presented a compelling theatrical performance titled “The Voices of Change” focusing on youth leadership and volunteerism, demonstrating the potential of young minds to bring about constructive social transformation. Awards and Certificates were distributed to students who demonstrated outstanding leadership in the pre-event activities.

“Think Globally, Act Locally”: Secretary, MoYAS Highlights Glocal Volunteering at International Youth Day

The programme witnessed participation from international representatives, underscoring the global significance of youth cooperation initiatives and India’s growing role in fostering international youth engagement.

Addressing the International Youth Day 2025 celebrations, Ms. Cynthia McCaffrey, UN India Resident Coordinator a.i. and UNICEF Representative to India, highlighted the power of volunteering in building leadership and resilience among youth. She emphasised that young people are at the forefront of shaping the future and noted the strong partnership between the United Nations and the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. Ms. McCaffrey lauded the engagement of over nine million volunteers through the MY Bharat platform in areas such as climate action, health, hygiene, and pandemic response. Describing volunteering as a proven and impactful approach, she remarked that it is not only about giving, but also about gaining valuable experiences, adding that “volunteering is in the blood and veins of India.”

Shri Nitesh Kumar Mishra, Joint Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, underscored the transformative role of volunteerism in nation-building, describing it as “the bridge that connects hearts, builds trust, and ignites change.” He emphasized the Ministry’s commitment through MY Bharat to building a national network of youth leaders contributing to Viksit Bharat @2047. Reflecting on his own journey, Shri Mishra highlighted that beyond rational thinking, volunteerism represents a powerful, selfless force for good. He identified three key priorities going forward: strengthening partnerships with academic institutions, raising awareness about the value of volunteerism among students and faculty, and empowering youth to take on civic leadership roles in collaboration with the government.

The initiative reflects the Government of India’s vision of harnessing India’s demographic dividend through meaningful youth engagement and volunteer-driven community service. This aligns with the government’s commitment to empowering young citizens as catalysts for transformative social change and sustainable development, reinforcing India’s position as a global leader in youth-centric policy initiatives and international cooperation.

The Department of Youth Affairs continues its mission to empower India’s youth through meaningful engagement in volunteerism and community service, enabling them to actively contribute to the nation’s development journey.

Disclaimer: This is an official press release by Pib.