Gandhi also expressed his views on India’s current economic challenges, particularly the divide between the education system and the business environment.  / Whatsapp Channel/Rahul Gandhi

Indian Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a gathering of students at the University of Texas at Dallas, which has over 2500 Indian students enrolled,  said that the youth have an important role to play in shaping India’s future.

“India's future lies in the hands of its youth. Engage, participate, and work towards building a better country," he stated urging the students and professionals living abroad to bring with them ideas that can reshape India's future.

"You are a bridge between India and the rest of the world," he told the students, emphasizing how values like equality, deeply ingrained in American society, can inspire positive change back home.

Role of Opposition

During the session, Gandhi touched on his role as Leader of the Opposition and the deeper dynamics of his political journey, especially following his Bharat Jodo Yatra, that was instrumental in his party’s comeback in the recent general elections in India.

Gandhi highlighted that the opposition's role is not just about countering the government but raising issues faced by different groups across India, including farmers, industries, and individuals. He noted that understanding the nuances of these issues is crucial, saying, "Listening is much more important than speaking."

Reflecting on his political evolution, Gandhi shared how his approach to governance and policy has shifted post the yatra. "When I started, I thought I knew the issues, but I've learned that going deeper, understanding the lived experience of people, is where the real understanding lies."

He also shared an anecdote about how the slogan "Nafrat ke bazaar mein, mohabbat ki dukaan" (In the market of hate, open a shop of love) emerged organically during the yatra. "It was not my slogan; it came from the people," Gandhi said, emphasizing how the march introduced the concept of love into Indian political discourse. "In many countries, including India, you will find words like hate, anger, and corruption in political discussions, but rarely will you hear about love."

Gandhi further reflected on the idea of 'love' in politics, pointing to how leaders like Mahatma Gandhi embodied the concept by prioritizing the voices of others over their personal ambitions. "Indian leaders, unlike their Western counterparts, attack themselves, their egos, and their ambitions," he said, describing this as central to Indian political philosophy.

Youth Employment and Economic Challenges

When asked about youth employment, a pressing concern among students, Gandhi acknowledged the challenges India faces but pointed out that the real issue is the country’s diminished focus on production. "You’re never going to employ India using consumption; India has to think about the act of production."

"India has handed over its manufacturing to China, and we must bring it back if we want to solve the employment crisis," he stated, urging the youth to disrupt traditional modes of thinking and drive innovation.

Gandhi also expressed his views on India’s current economic challenges, particularly the divide between the education system and the business environment. He remarked, "India doesn't have a skills problem; it has a skills respect problem. Our education system doesn’t connect with the business system. We need to bridge that gap and focus on vocational training."

He stressed that India could become a global manufacturing hub but noted that efforts were still in their infancy. "India can take on China, but only if we start respecting skills and aligning the country for production," Gandhi said, adding that states like Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have already made strides in this direction.

Encouraging youth and social equity

In response to a question about creating jobs for blue-collar workers, Gandhi said, "You simply cannot solve the jobs problem by continuing on the current path. You need production. Our current policies, like GST, punish production and reward consumption, which is detrimental to growth."

When asked how Indian youth could contribute to public service and nation-building, Gandhi encouraged students to actively engage, noting that it might not always be easy or pleasant. "We run internships and training programs for people interested in contributing to public service. But realize it can be hard and sometimes unpleasant," he said.

Gandhi also touched on social equity, calling for more inclusive policies. "There are two Indias: one benefiting from economic growth, and the other left behind. A large portion of our population is being bypassed, and we cannot ignore that."

The Congress leader further emphasized that respecting and empowering those with traditional skills—like carpenters, shoemakers, and other artisans—could unleash India's true economic potential. “There’s no shortage of skills in India, just a shortage of respect for those skills. You can find the best carpenters in the world here, but we aren’t using their potential effectively.”

Finally, Gandhi urged the students to question, resist, and create change wherever possible.