Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the Viksit Bharat Young Leader’s Dialogue and the National Youth Festival on Saturday at Bharat Mandapam. This event brings together more than 3,000 young leaders from across India for thematic discussions and creative competitions.

Notable attendees included Raksha Khadse, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, ISRO Chief S. Somanath, and journalist Palki Sharma Upadhyay.

In his speech, Mandaviya emphasized the crucial role of youth in determining India’s future. “Today’s event is organized by the youth and is for the youth,” he stated, encouraging participants to play an active role in the nation’s advancement.

A key highlight of the festival will occur on January 12, the final day of the event, when the Prime Minister will interact with select youth leaders. From the 3,000 participants, 20 outstanding young leaders will have the unique chance to meet the Prime Minister over lunch and share their innovative ideas on women’s empowerment and other pressing challenges.

Mandaviya urged the youth to seize this opportunity, saying, “When the 20 outstanding leaders meet the Prime Minister tomorrow to share your vision for a developed India, you will also seek his commitment and support to achieve this dream together.”

The National Youth Festival 2025 is designed to celebrate the energy, creativity, and vision of India’s youth, fostering leadership and innovative solutions for a brighter future.

January 12, celebrated as National Youth Day in honor of Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary and his lasting legacy of youth empowerment, will be a pivotal moment for all participants. This day will highlight the most anticipated segment of the event.

A significant occasion will unfold as Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveils a specially curated Coffee Table Book, featuring the best essays from each of the ten identified themes. Alongside this, the Prime Minister will launch the Youth Anthem, an inspiring musical piece designed to unite and motivate India’s youth under a shared vision of national progress and development.

The day will also showcase ten impactful presentations, each representing one of the ten key thematic areas vital to India’s development, in front of the Prime Minister.

To facilitate meaningful interactions, a lunch will be arranged where participants can engage directly with the nation’s highest leader. This intimate setting will allow young minds to share their ideas and aspirations for a developed India, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility among the youth.

Following the lunch, the Grand Plenary Session, led by the Prime Minister, will serve as the centerpiece of the day. The Prime Minister will address the gathering, encouraging the youth to strive toward the goal of a Viksit Bharat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his greetings to the nation on Saturday, commemorating the first anniversary of the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol at the Ayodhya temple.

He reflected on the “centuries of sacrifice, penance, and struggle” that led to the temple’s construction, highlighting its role as a symbol of India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.

In a post on X, he expressed, “Best wishes to all the countrymen on the first anniversary of the consecration of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. This temple, built after centuries of sacrifice, penance, and struggle, is a great heritage of our culture and spirituality. I am confident that this divine and magnificent Ram temple will become a great inspiration in the accomplishment of the resolution of a developed India.” The Prime Minister also included a video with his message.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, a grand three-day event organized by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust commenced in Ayodhya. The festivities, scheduled from January 11 to 13, involve cultural programs featuring esteemed musicians and artists.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is set to inaugurate the celebrations with a ceremonial ‘abhishek’ (ritual bath) of the Ram Lalla idol, followed by an address to the public at Angad Teela. A large number of devotees, including saints and spiritual leaders, have gathered for the event.

Ayodhya has been transformed into a vibrant display of devotion and celebration, decorated with lights and various displays. Local administration and trust officials have made detailed arrangements to welcome the influx of pilgrims and visitors. Both Deputy Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh are also anticipated to participate in the festivities, with Chief Minister Yogi’s visit planned to last approximately five hours.

The trust has encouraged devotees from across the nation to engage in this historic celebration, which underscores the unifying and timeless significance of Lord Ram. The festivities will feature Ram Katha, cultural performances, and daily rituals, alongside a large pavilion and Yagnashala prepared to accommodate thousands of attendees.

VIP invitations have been extended to those who could not attend the earlier ceremony, and the public is invited to partake in this spiritual event. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will perform the ‘abhishek’ on January 11, with the celebrations designed to provide a grand spiritual experience for all.

Indian Post Payments Bank (IPPB) account holders are being warned of a new phishing scam exploiting the updated PAN Card rules introduced by the Central Government. Cybercriminals are sending fraudulent messages to users, falsely claiming that their bank accounts will be frozen if PAN Card details are not updated.

These messages often contain links that direct users to malicious websites, designed to steal personal and financial information. The fear of losing access to their bank accounts has led many individuals to fall prey to these scams.

How the scam works

The scammers use the recent PAN Card 2.0 update as a pretext to trick individuals. They send alarming messages suggesting account freezing due to non-compliance with PAN updates, prompting users to click on phishing links. By doing so, cybercriminals gain unauthorized access to sensitive financial data.

IPPB’s guidance to stay safe

Indian Post Payments Bank has issued a set of recommendations to help customers protect themselves from such fraudulent activities. The bank urges account holders to follow these secure digital banking practices:

• Regularly update passwords for better account security.
• Avoid calling fake customer care numbers or sharing personal details.
• Monitor account activities regularly for any unauthorized transactions.
• Stay cautious when using public Wi-Fi networks.
• Verify the authenticity of all banking-related communications.

Essential scam prevention tips

To further protect against such scams, experts recommend the following precautions:

1. Be wary of suspicious emails and messages: Avoid opening unknown attachments or clicking unfamiliar links, as scammers often disguise malicious content in these.
2. Check for signs of fraud: Look for typographical errors, grammatical mistakes, or unrealistic offers in messages that could indicate a phishing attempt.
3. Avoid password-protected files from unknown sources: Such files may contain hidden viruses that can compromise your device and steal sensitive information.
4. Strengthen account security: Use strong, unique passwords for all online accounts and store them securely in a password manager.
5. Verify sources: Always ensure the authenticity of customer care numbers and banking communications before responding or sharing personal information.

The bigger picture

Scammers are exploiting the lack of awareness about recent financial regulations to target unsuspecting individuals. With increasing reliance on digital banking, customers must stay vigilant and informed to protect their assets.

If you receive any suspicious messages regarding PAN updates or account freezes, immediately report them to your bank and avoid clicking on any associated links.