Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday urged Gen Z and Gen Alpha to take up leadership roles and shoulder greater responsibility.
She made the remarks while addressing the 36th convocation of Dr M G R Educational & Research Institute in Chennai on September 15.
Speaking to graduating students, Sitharaman asked young people to think about what they could contribute to the country. She said they should not focus only on what they expect from India.
She also urged the younger generations to understand the events around them. She said educated youth should recognise their role and consider how their skills can contribute to the country’s development.
“We Should Never Give Up Our Country”
Sitharaman made a direct appeal to the young graduates during her address.
She said the country was ready to listen to the aspirations of Gen Z and Gen Alpha. At the same time, she asked young people to take responsibility for their future.
The Finance Minister urged graduates to assume leadership in their respective fields. She also asked them to place national interests at the centre of their responsibilities.
Sitharaman said young people should understand the importance of a secure and stable country. She referred to conflicts in different parts of the world, where people have faced displacement and uncertainty.
Against this backdrop, she told the students that India’s security and stability matter for their future.
Youth Asked to Focus on Contribution
A central message of Sitharaman’s speech was the need to change the way young people view their relationship with the country.
She asked graduates to consider what they could contribute rather than only asking what the country could provide for them.
The minister connected this idea with leadership and civic responsibility. She said young people should understand developments around them and identify their own role.
Her remarks came as thousands of young Indians enter higher education, employment, entrepreneurship and professional careers.
For Sitharaman, this transition also creates an opportunity for young people to participate more actively in national development.
Global Conflicts Shape India’s Challenges
Sitharaman also spoke about the uncertain international environment.
She referred to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Middle East. These conflicts can affect global supplies of crude oil, gas and fertilisers.
India depends on international markets for several important commodities. Global disruptions can therefore influence domestic economic conditions.
Sitharaman said India had maintained macroeconomic stability despite these international pressures. She cited a 7.8 per cent growth rate as evidence of the country’s economic performance.
She attributed this stability to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the Finance Minister’s assessment of the government’s performance.
Tamil Nadu Offers Opportunities for Young Professionals
Sitharaman also highlighted Tamil Nadu’s industrial and technology sectors.
She pointed to the Sriperumbudur-Oragadam corridor as an important centre for automobile manufacturing and smartphone exports.
According to her, the region has developed strong links with global manufacturing networks. She said this growth has created employment opportunities for young professionals.
The Finance Minister also highlighted the growth of Global Capability Centres, or GCCs, in Tamil Nadu.
She said the state has around 350 GCCs. That figure represents about 10 per cent of the GCCs in India, according to her remarks.
She also cited Coimbatore, where she said around 80 GCCs employ nearly 12,000 young people. Madurai and Tiruchirappalli have also developed GCC clusters, she added.
AI Will Affect Every Profession
Sitharaman also discussed the growing influence of artificial intelligence.
She said there would not be a profession untouched by AI. She therefore stressed the importance of providing AI training to people across different fields.
The message carries particular importance for young graduates entering the workforce.
AI is changing the way companies approach technology, communication, research and professional services. Young workers may need to develop new skills as these changes continue.
Sitharaman’s remarks placed AI skills within the larger discussion about employment and the future of work.
Her emphasis was on preparing young people for changing professional environments rather than treating technology as a challenge limited to a few industries.
Women’s Participation in the Workforce
The Finance Minister also spoke about increasing women’s participation in the workforce.
She referred to provisions in the Union Budget aimed at establishing working women’s hostels across districts.
Such facilities can support women who move away from home for education or employment. They can also help address some of the practical challenges faced by women entering professional careers.
Sitharaman linked the issue with the need to encourage more women to pursue STEM education and careers.
The focus on women’s participation formed another part of her broader message about creating opportunities for young people.
Sitharaman Advises Graduates to Stay Humble
Along with leadership and national responsibility, Sitharaman urged the graduating students to remain humble.
She used the example of Sir Isaac Newton to illustrate the importance of recognising the contributions of others.
The minister also referred to the Thirukkural while advising young people to avoid arrogance.
She encouraged graduates to approach challenges with patience. She also cautioned them against developing a sense of victimhood when they face difficulties.
Her message focused on personal qualities alongside professional skills.
According to Sitharaman, young people need both competence and a sense of responsibility as they enter leadership positions.
A Message for a Changing Generation
Sitharaman’s address focused heavily on the role of younger generations in India’s future.
Gen Z and Gen Alpha are entering a period shaped by technological change, global conflicts and shifting employment patterns.
The Finance Minister asked them to understand these developments and respond with responsibility.
She also highlighted the opportunities available in sectors such as manufacturing, technology and Global Capability Centres.
At the same time, she urged young people to develop leadership qualities and contribute to society.
Country, Career and Civic Responsibility
Sitharaman’s appeal combined national responsibility with practical advice for young graduates.
She asked Gen Z and Gen Alpha to think beyond individual career goals. She also encouraged them to consider how their education and skills can benefit the wider country.
Her comments about global conflicts reflected the importance she placed on national stability. Her discussion of AI and employment highlighted the need for new skills.
The Finance Minister also pointed to opportunities emerging in Tamil Nadu’s industrial and technology sectors.
For the graduating students, the message was about entering professional life with leadership, responsibility and adaptability.
Sitharaman’s appeal to Gen Z and Gen Alpha has therefore centred on three themes: contribute to the country, prepare for a changing world and take responsibility for the future.