A Proud Moment on January 7, 2026: Felicitated by Hon'ble Governor of Assam & Selected for Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026

Felicitation Moment With Hon'ble Governor of Assam,
Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya

A Proud Chapter Begins: January 7, 2026 – A Day I Will Cherish Forever

It was a crisp January evening in Guwahati. On January 7, 2026, I found myself at Lok Bhavan, the official residence of the Governor of Assam, along with 36 other energetic young leaders from across the state. The air was filled with a quiet sense of excitement, pride, and responsibility.

That evening, we the 37 young representatives from Assam selected for the prestigious Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026 - had the profound honor of being felicitated and personally interacted with by the Hon'ble Governor of Assam, Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya.

The Governor graciously hosted us for an interaction and a warm send-off tea. His words were inspiring and deeply motivating. He spoke about the power of youth in shaping a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) and reminded us that this opportunity comes with a great responsibility - to carry the aspirations of Assam and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s progress. His encouragement filled us with renewed energy and a stronger sense of purpose.

This gathering was not just a formal event. It was a memorable send-off before we headed to New Delhi to represent Assam at the national-level Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, held from January 9 to 12, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam as part of the restructured National Youth Festival.

Being chosen as one of the 37 young leaders from Assam under the My Bharat initiative was already a dream come true. Thousands of talented youth had participated in various selections, and standing among the selected few felt surreal. The Dialogue offered a platform for young minds aged 15–29 from every state and Union Territory to engage in discussions, design thinking, hackathons, and idea-sharing sessions on critical themes — education, innovation, governance, sustainability, digital inclusion, and more all aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

For me, this recognition carries a deeper meaning. Hailing from Manipur and deeply connected to the Northeast, I have always believed that India’s development story must be truly inclusive. The challenges and unique strengths of our region deserve a strong voice at the national level. This platform has given me the opportunity to represent not just myself, but the dreams and aspirations of countless young people from Assam and the Northeast.

As I stood there receiving the Governor’s blessings, a wave of gratitude washed over me - for my family, teachers, mentors, and everyone who has supported my journey so far. At the same time, I felt a renewed commitment. This is not merely an award or a certificate; it is a call to action. A mandate to work with dedication, integrity, and innovative ideas toward building a stronger, self-reliant, and harmonious India.

I remain deeply thankful to the Government of Assam, the Department of Sports & Youth Welfare, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (Government of India), and the entire My Bharat team for creating such empowering opportunities for the youth.

As I prepare to participate in the national Dialogue in New Delhi, my heart is full of hope and determination. I look forward to learning from fellow young leaders, sharing perspectives from our region, and contributing practical ideas that can help turn the dream of Viksit Bharat into reality by 2047.

This journey has just begun. With humility and unwavering passion, I am ready to play my part in nation-building.

Jai Hind!

Let’s build a Viksit Bharat together.

Date of the Event: January 7, 2026

By: Gyanjyoti Nath

Location: Lok Bhavan, Guwahati, Assam