Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh interacts with rural students and community members in Mathabari village, Gorakhpur
‘Vagdevi-Gyanvardhan Kendra’ inaugurated; students and villagers from more than 50 villages participate
Youth should develop strong character and human values alongside technical skills: Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh
Gorakhpur, August 2026 : Chief of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, undertook an inspiring visit to Mathabari village in Gorakhpur, giving fresh momentum to efforts related to education, rural development, youth aspirations, women’s empowerment and nation-building. During the visit, he toured the Ramashraya Gram Vikas Kendra and Saraswati Gurukul and interacted warmly and meaningfully with students, children and members of the rural community. Students and villagers from more than 50 villages participated in the programme.
A major highlight of the visit was the inauguration of ‘Vagdevi-Gyanvardhan Kendra’, a digital library established for rural girls. The centre aims to connect young girls from rural areas with modern digital resources, books, knowledge and quality education. It has been envisioned not merely as a digital library but as a platform to give new wings to the dreams, talent, confidence and potential of rural girls.
Addressing the students, the Air Chief Marshal said the purpose of education was not limited to securing good marks in examinations. Along with education, young people must develop values, character, discipline, responsibility and a sense of dedication towards the nation. He urged youngsters to take pride in their Indian identity and develop themselves as responsible and sincere citizens.
He particularly addressed children and youngsters of Generation Alpha, urging them to remain prepared for the challenges of the future. Technology is evolving rapidly and the present generation is growing up in a highly technology-driven environment, he said. However, alongside technical competence, young people must also develop human values, sensitivity and strong character.
Students of Saraswati Gurukul asked the Air Chief Marshal several thoughtful questions related to education, life, leadership, national service and their future. He responded to their queries in a simple and engaging manner, using humour and interesting examples to explain complex issues. The interaction proved to be an inspiring and memorable experience for the students.
The Air Chief Marshal encouraged young people to set clear goals, develop a strategy to achieve them and work consistently with discipline without losing sight of their purpose even during difficult circumstances. He emphasised the mantra of “one dream, one goal, one commitment and a purposeful life” as a guiding principle for success.
He also encouraged members of the rural community to keep national interest above everything else and make unity, social harmony, honesty, discipline and respect for the law part of their daily lives. He stressed that nation-building was not the responsibility of any single institution or section of society but a collective responsibility of every citizen.
The Ramashraya Gram Vikas Kendra, established with the vision of connecting gratitude towards one’s birthplace and motherland with public service, was inaugurated by the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister in 2023. The centre has emerged as a hub for several initiatives related to rural education, healthcare, digital literacy, women’s empowerment and community development.
Facilities at the centre include banking services, safe drinking water, community healthcare and free medicines, a school up to Class 7, digital and library facilities, a computer centre, mango and guava orchards, skill-development and self-reliance programmes for women, besides spiritual and motivational activities.
The Air Chief Marshal appreciated the centre’s functioning and its efforts to uplift different sections of the village community. He said meaningful rural development could only be achieved when children, youth, women, girls and the entire community received equal opportunities to progress.
Addressing the gathering, Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission Chairman Sanjay Sreenet spoke about the purpose and significance of life. He said merely being born was not enough; what mattered was the purpose with which a person lived and the contribution made to society and the nation. Citing the example of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, he urged young people to use their talent, knowledge and energy not merely for personal achievements but also for social and national development.
The participation of students and villagers from more than 50 villages gave the event the character of a broad-based public dialogue. Gorakhpur Divisional Commissioner Indra Vikram Singh, ADG Police Ram Kumar, District Magistrate Deepak Meena and SSP Dr Kaustubh, among other senior officials, were also present.
The Air Chief Marshal’s visit became more than a formal engagement, emerging as an inspiring interaction between the younger generation and those contributing to nation-building. The inauguration of the Vagdevi-Gyanvardhan Kendra, interaction with students, value-based education at Saraswati Gurukul and participation of the rural community together made the programme a significant initiative focused on education, empowerment and national development.
The centre’s future plans include initiatives in education, skill development, women’s empowerment, digital capabilities, healthcare and community development. Its broader objective is to become a lasting symbol of social responsibility, human dignity, self-reliance and national service. The central message of the programme was clear: dream big, set clear goals, move forward with commitment and discipline, make character and values the foundation of life, and use one’s knowledge, talent and energy for the welfare of society and the nation.
