State president PVN Madhav traces party's 75-year ideological journey from Jana Sangh to global political force; reaffirms Viksit Bharat 2047 as BJP's defining goal

VIJAYAWADA : Invoking seven decades of sacrifice, struggle, and nation-building, Andhra Pradesh BJP state president PVN Madhav on Monday delivered a sweeping account of the Bharatiya Janata Party's ideological and political journey as the party marked its 47th Foundation Day with celebrations held across the state, with the principal function taking place here.

Extending greetings to party workers, leaders, and citizens at large, Mr. Madhav opened his address with an unusual reflection on the significance of the number 47, describing it in the spiritual tradition as a number associated with transformation and selfless endeavour. "Just as those who work without expectation of reward are guided by this number, the BJP has been a force for transformative change in the nation's history," he said.

From Jana Sangh to BJP: A 75-Year Ideological Continuum

Tracing the party's lineage, Mr. Madhav recalled that the Bharatiya Jana Sangh was founded on October 21, 1951, and reconstituted as the Bharatiya Janata Party on April 6, 1980. He said the 75-year journey had been defined by a consistent commitment to national reconstruction, cultural preservation, and the assertion of India's civilisational identity.

He paid tribute to party founder Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, whose sacrifice during the 'Chalo Kashmir' movement for the territorial integrity of Jammu and Kashmir, he said, remained an indelible chapter in India's political history. He noted that leaders such as Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya and Atal Bihari Vajpayee had subsequently expanded the party's reach across the country, building it into a national force.

Emergency, Kargil and the Vajpayee Era

Mr. Madhav recalled that Jana Sangh workers had waged an unrelenting 19-month struggle against the Emergency imposed in 1975, with thousands imprisoned and others continuing the fight underground. "They gave the country a second freedom struggle," he said. He also highlighted the party's role during the Goa liberation movement and the wars of 1962 and 1965, when workers rendered service to the nation.

Turning to the Vajpayee era, Mr. Madhav said the BJP government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee had steered India towards strength through the Pokhran nuclear tests, victory in the Kargil conflict, and path-breaking diplomatic initiatives such as the Lahore bus yatra. "Vajpayee remains the gold standard of good governance," he said.

Modi Era: Security, Diplomacy and Development

Describing the BJP's return to power in 2014 under Narendra Modi as a defining moment, Mr. Madhav highlighted a series of landmark decisions including the abrogation of Article 370, the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the expansion of welfare schemes, rural development initiatives, and the Digital India programme.

On national security, he said India had demonstrated its resolve through surgical strikes and air strikes following the Uri and Pulwama attacks. He added that India's standing on the international stage had risen considerably, with the country maintaining balanced diplomatic relations with Iran, Israel, the United States, and Russia simultaneously.

Viksit Bharat 2047: The Defining Mission

Articulating the party's forward vision, Mr. Madhav said the BJP was committed to realising the goal of a fully developed India by 2047 — the centenary of independence — under the guiding principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas. He called upon every citizen to become a participant in this national endeavour.

On the party's organisational agenda in Andhra Pradesh, he said special programmes had been taken up to expand the BJP's presence to the village level, with the 'Mana Illu Mana Jenda' initiative encouraging every worker to hoist the party flag at their home and build awareness among the people. He reaffirmed the party's commitment to strengthening its role within the alliance government in keeping with the aspirations of the people.

Summing up the party's philosophy, Mr. Madhav declared: "Politics is not our profession — it is our mission." He called upon workers to draw inspiration from the sacrifices of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya and dedicate themselves to nation-building and social upliftment.

The function was attended by state general secretary Matta Prasad, state secretary Boddu Nagalakshmi, state office in-charge Uppalapati Srinivasa Raju, Kisan Morcha president Chigurpati Kumar Swamy, SC Morcha president Panatala Suresh, Minority Morcha president Syed Basha, NTR district president Adduri Sriram, and other senior functionaries.

NEW DELHI — In a moment that captured the quiet but profound transformation underway in Jammu & Kashmir, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh sat face to face with young men and women from Pulwama, Bandipora, Anantnag, and Kupwara on Saturday — districts that once made headlines for conflict and unrest — and listened as they spoke confidently about their dreams, their ambitions, and their place in the story of modern India.

The occasion was the concluding interactive session of the 6th Kashmir Youth Exchange Programme — "Watan Ko Jaano" — organised by My Bharat under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs. And the message that emerged from the gathering was as significant as it was striking: Jammu and Kashmir's youth are no longer on the margins. They are moving — confidently, purposefully, and with growing momentum — toward the centre of national life.

Eleven Years of Transformation

Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State with Independent Charge for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and also holding charge of the PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, used the platform to reflect on what he described as a fundamental shift in the trajectory of J&K's youth over the past eleven years.

"Over the last eleven years, the Modi Government has enabled the mainstreaming of youth from Jammu and Kashmir," the minister said, "which has in turn raised their level of self-confidence and aspiration."

The evidence, he argued, is visible and measurable. Young people from J&K are now appearing — and excelling — in civil services examinations and other highly competitive national tests. They are entering sectors like tourism, hospitality, and aviation. They are building careers and connections across the country that would have been unthinkable for many in the region just a decade ago.

"Earlier, many young people from the region were hesitant to step beyond their immediate surroundings," Dr. Jitendra Singh observed. "Today, they are confidently engaging with opportunities across the country."

From the Margins to the Mainstream

The minister traced this transformation back to a specific moment — Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, articulated in 2014, to bring regions that had long remained on the periphery of India's development story — Jammu and Kashmir and the North East — firmly into the national mainstream.

Sustained policy support, targeted interventions, and a deliberate focus on youth development have, Dr. Jitendra Singh argued, begun to bear tangible fruit. The change is not merely statistical. It is visible in the faces and voices of the young people who gathered for Saturday's programme — students from some of J&K's most historically troubled districts, speaking with a confidence and openness that reflects a region in the process of genuine transformation.

Voices From the Ground

The most powerful moments of Saturday's session came not from the minister's podium but from the participants themselves.

Young men and women from Pulwama, Bandipora, Anantnag, and Kupwara shared their experiences of visiting national institutions — Parliament, Legislative Assemblies, and Rashtrapati Bhavan — describing how exposure to these symbols of Indian democracy has deepened their sense of belonging and participation in the nation's civic life.

Several students spoke of a growing sense of trust and openness — a willingness among J&K's youth to explore opportunities beyond the region, to engage with different cultures and communities, and to build connections that transcend geographical and historical boundaries.

"Programmes like this are helping youth from Jammu and Kashmir move beyond earlier limitations," participants said, describing how the exchange has broadened their horizons and strengthened their identity as citizens of a larger, shared nation.

Sports, Infrastructure, and the Road Ahead

The session was not limited to celebration. Participants raised practical and pressing concerns — calling for stronger sports infrastructure, better access to coaching facilities, and improved resources for local talent in Jammu and Kashmir.

Dr. Jitendra Singh acknowledged these gaps and pointed to progress already underway. The ecosystem for sports and youth development in J&K, he said, is steadily improving — with greater transparency in selection processes and increased investment in infrastructure. As a symbol of what is possible, he cited the recent Ranji Trophy victory by the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team — a landmark achievement that captured the imagination of a region hungry for stories of success on the national stage.

Participants also offered constructive suggestions on improving logistical arrangements and deepening structured interaction with students from other parts of India through institutional visits and peer engagement. The minister received these inputs positively, indicating they would help shape and strengthen future editions of the programme.

A Larger Mission

Dr. Jitendra Singh placed Saturday's programme within what he described as a broader national commitment — the determination to ensure that no region and no section of Indian society is left behind in the country's development journey.

"The transformation underway in Jammu and Kashmir is part of a larger effort," he said. "The increasing participation of youth from J&K in national life is a clear indication of this shift. Their growing confidence and aspirations will play an important role in shaping India's future."

It is a vision of inclusion — of a Viksit Bharat, a developed India, that draws its strength from every corner of the country, including those corners that history has treated most harshly.

A Celebration of Heritage and Identity

The programme concluded on a note of cultural pride, with participants offering performances that showcased the rich and diverse heritage of Jammu and Kashmir — music, dance, and artistic expression that reminded a national audience of the beauty and depth of a region too often defined only by its conflicts.

It was a fitting end to a programme built on a simple but powerful idea: that when young people from different parts of India meet, talk, and share — the nation grows stronger, more connected, and more whole.

For the young men and women of Pulwama, Bandipora, Anantnag, and Kupwara who gathered in New Delhi on Saturday, "Watan Ko Jaano" — Know Your Nation — was more than a programme title.

It was a promise. And on the evidence of Saturday's session, one that is being kept.

The 6th Kashmir Youth Exchange Programme was organised by My Bharat under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs.