HOPE Foundation (House of Political Empowerment) organises extensive discussions on education, employment and skill development
Focus on empowering young people through opportunities, skills and training
Emphasis on government initiatives such as Mukhyamantri Abhyudaya Yojana and the State Youth Commission
Young people urged to become active participants in policymaking rather than remain beneficiaries of government schemes
Participants express their views openly, stressing that youth participation is the foundation of democracy
Pratapgarh, November 2026 : More than 900 young people participated enthusiastically in the fourth chapter of ‘Yuva Niti Samvad – Uttar Pradesh (Decoding the Grassroots)’, organised by HOPE (House of Political Empowerment) at Ramlila Ground in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh.
Based on the theme ‘Discussion, Deliberation and Development’, the convention aimed to bring young people to the centre of policymaking, development and democratic discussions. Under the guiding vision of ‘From Grassroots Conversations to a Stronger Uttar Pradesh’, participants discussed key issues concerning education, employment, skill development, entrepreneurship, technology, social security and local development.
Youth Participation is the Foundation of Democracy
The programme was attended by several prominent speakers, including HOPE founder Dr Digvijay Singh, a lecturer at Delhi University; Dr Anant Prakash, professor at Kirori Mal College; Department Pracharak Om Prakash; former district president Om Prakash Tripathi; Kisan Morcha vice-president Sonu Singh; Dr Prabhanshu Ojha, lecturer at Hansraj College, Delhi; and social worker Naveen Singh.
The speakers encouraged young people to take the traditions and cultural heritage of Pratapgarh to the global stage. They emphasised that youth should not remain limited to being beneficiaries of government schemes but should actively participate in policymaking.
Participants from diverse socio-economic backgrounds were informed about various government policies, welfare schemes and development programmes. Discussions also examined their impact and the challenges faced in implementing them at the grassroots level. The organisers assured participants that their suggestions would be communicated to relevant government departments and policymaking platforms.
Making Uttar Pradesh the Best State is the Goal of Youth: Dr Anant Prakash
Dr Anant Prakash highlighted efforts under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to implement welfare policies for different sections of society. He encouraged young people to benefit from these initiatives, recognise their capabilities and contribute to the development of Uttar Pradesh and the country. He also cautioned them against divisive politics.
Gen Z Represents India's Cultural Strength: Om Prakash
Department Pracharak Om Prakash described Generation Z as the future of India, enriched by the country's cultural strength. He said young people remained connected to their traditions and motivated to carry forward cultural values.
Calling Yuva Niti Samvad an important initiative to ensure youth participation, he appreciated HOPE for creating opportunities to develop new leadership among young people.
Action Against Mafia and Crime is a Governance Priority: Sonu Singh
Kisan Morcha vice-president Sonu Singh said that under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's leadership, action against organised crime and mafia activities had become a key governance priority. He said effective law enforcement creates an environment in which young people can pursue education, employment and career opportunities with greater confidence.
He also referred to increasing Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for farmers as a result of the state's policies, adding that agriculture was attracting younger generations.
Youth Must Play an Important Role in Pratapgarh: Dr Prabhanshu Ojha
Dr Prabhanshu Ojha said that innovation and social transformation were driven by young people. He emphasised that political awareness was essential for meaningful social awareness and highlighted the role of youth in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's vision of a New India.
He said the Mukhyamantri Abhyudaya Yojana had enabled young people from rural areas to prepare for and clear competitive examinations such as the UPSC. He also referred to the announcement of a State Youth Commission by the Chief Minister, describing it as an important step towards addressing youth-related issues.
Recalling Swami Karpatri Ji Maharaj, a distinguished personality associated with Pratapgarh, Ojha recited his popular poem and compared young people to rivers with endless journeys. He said HOPE stood for hope and that small hopes could help realise big dreams.
Self-Reliant Developed India Can Be Built by Youth: Om Prakash Tripathi
Former district president Om Prakash Tripathi recalled Pratapgarh's literary and cultural heritage, including its association with poet Bhikhari Das and Sumitranandan Pant.
He said Uttar Pradesh had presented a new vision of development, pointing to infrastructure projects such as the Ganga Expressway. He also highlighted the global recognition of Pratapgarh's amla and encouraged young people to explore startups, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Technology Can Empower Young People: Naveen Singh
Social worker Naveen Singh suggested linking youth initiatives with technology through the proposed State Youth Commission. He stressed the importance of platforms that listen to young people's concerns and work towards resolving them. He also urged youth to use the internet and digital platforms constructively to improve their knowledge, skills and career prospects.
Policy Dialogue Essential for Positive Change: Dr Digvijay Singh
HOPE founder Dr Digvijay Singh said the organisation was working to communicate the aspirations and concerns of Uttar Pradesh's youth to the government.
He stressed that meaningful solutions could emerge only through policy discussions and constructive debate. He said the campaign, which began with Krishi Chaupal, would continue across Uttar Pradesh over the next three months to bring youth voices to the government.
Youth Call for Greater Participation in Policymaking
Young participants also shared their experiences and views on startups, innovation, education and employment.
Local participant Shreyash Singh said the dialogue had established a direct connection between grassroots realities and national policies. Rajesh said the programme helped him understand how government policies functioned and provided an opportunity to raise practical concerns related to education and employment.
Kamlesh said he gained detailed information about government schemes concerning self-employment and skill development, while Shashank Yadav appreciated the opportunity to discuss challenges rather than merely listen to others.
Participants agreed that the principle of ‘Young Minds, Strong Democracy’ was reflected in the discussions, stressing that democratic participation should extend beyond voting to include active engagement in policymaking.
Ashutosh Yadav, Utsav Kumar Rai, Aryan, Himanshu Dwivedi and Adityanath Tiwari provided special support in organising the programme.
