Modi reaches out to youth, says 'they are the new energy of this country'

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reached out to the youth, and said that India's youth power is the new energy of the country.

There is a need to harness the power of youth. If we utilize India's youth power in right manner, unite this power for good of humanity, we can overcome the loss of 60 years in just 10 years. We need to channelize India's youth power as it is the new energy of our country," he said while addressing addressed a convocation function at Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University here.

He used the same platform to highlight the ignorance of the Congress-led UPA government towards the youth.

"The Congress Government has done nothing for the youth, and to promote skill development. Unemployment is the worst phase of youth's life. Six crore people got employment during Vajpayee's tenure. Parties looking at youth for power, I talk about youth empowerment," he added.

Modi further said Gujarat has done path-breaking work in solar energy, while expressing his dream of making Gandhinagar a solar city.

"Gujarat has done path-breaking work in solar energy. I have a dream of making Gandhinagar a solar city, and I think the students from this college can make that dream a reality," he said.

Asserting that the Gujarat Government has done a lot in the field of education, Modi said that he has full faith in the capability of the university and also in the strength of the youth today.

Modi, who would be addressing his first rally in Kanpur today, after being picked as Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) prime ministerial candidate, is expected to arrive by helicopter at around 1 p.m. after a brief stopover at Lucknow's Amausi Airport.

The rally which has been named as 'Vijaya Sankhanaad' has a separate gallery for youth, which has been set up close to the dais where Modi would be speaking.

Kanpur has been decked with posters, hoardings, bunting and banners that give details of the rally and its venue-the social welfare department ground opposite the Gautam Buddha Park in Indiranagar.