Bhagwat calls youth demographic dividend

On August 15, 2026, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed an event in Nagpur on India's 80th Independence Day, marking his second interaction with Gen Z in ten days. He described India's youth as a 'demographic dividend' that could greatly benefit the nation if properly nurtured, but warned they could become a burden if mishandled. Bhagwat emphasized that youth should think beyond their own interests and consider future generations, and he stressed the importance of respecting all forms of labor, not just conventional jobs. He urged India to develop its own development model rather than imitating countries like the US, Australia, China, New Zealand, and Canada, citing India's large population and smaller geography. He also called for promoting entrepreneurship and said India has an obligation to guide the world with its vision. The event was organized by the Lokmat media group.