From Ancient Epics to Digital Frontiers: PM Modi’s Vision for Globalising Indian Culture

At the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a forward-looking address that placed India’s youth at the heart of the nation’s cultural and technological transformation. Organised on National Youth Day, marking the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the dialogue brought together young innovators, thinkers, and creators from across the country, offering them a direct platform to engage with India’s long-term development vision.

The event, which has evolved from the traditional National Youth Festival, reflects a shift from celebration to participation. With millions of young Indians contributing through competitions, idea submissions, and policy discussions, the dialogue underscored the government’s emphasis on youth-driven nation-building.

PM Modi, while addressing the youth at Bharat Mandapam (Image via X) | OpIndia

India’s Youth as Architects of a New Global Identity

In his address, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the unique position of India’s current generation, describing them as beneficiaries of a rapidly transforming ecosystem shaped by digital infrastructure, startup reforms, and innovation-friendly policies. He noted that many young participants have grown up in an India defined by digital access, entrepreneurial opportunity, and global connectivity.

Emphasising confidence and originality, the Prime Minister urged the youth to shed outdated colonial mindsets and approach the future with pride in India’s civilisational heritage. According to him, true leadership lies not only in adopting global trends but in shaping them through India’s own cultural and intellectual traditions.

Reimagining Ramayana and Mahabharata for the Global Gaming Market

One of the most striking elements of the Prime Minister’s speech was his call to integrate India’s ancient epics—the Ramayana and the Mahabharata—into the global gaming and digital entertainment industry. Describing gaming as a powerful and rapidly expanding global economy, he encouraged young developers, designers, and storytellers to see India’s mythological narratives as rich creative universes capable of global appeal.

By referencing iconic figures such as Lord Hanuman, the Prime Minister illustrated how Indian epics possess the depth, character complexity, and moral storytelling needed to compete with global fictional franchises. He stressed that presenting these stories through modern technology could help introduce Indian culture to international audiences in immersive and engaging formats.

The Rise of the Orange Economy

The Prime Minister also drew attention to the growing Orange Economy, which encompasses culture-based industries such as gaming, film, animation, music, digital content, and storytelling. He noted that India stands at a unique intersection where technology and tradition can converge to create global value.

With Digital India initiatives expanding access to tools, platforms, and global markets, young creators now have the opportunity to transform cultural knowledge into scalable economic ventures. According to Modi, this creative economy not only strengthens India’s global cultural presence but also generates employment and entrepreneurship for the youth.

Swami Vivekananda’s Ideals and the Road to Viksit Bharat 2047

Invoking the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, the Prime Minister reminded young leaders that national progress must be guided by character, discipline, and a sense of service. He emphasised that the coming two decades are crucial, as India moves toward 2047, marking 100 years of independence.

The vision of Viksit Bharat is not limited to economic growth alone, he said, but includes cultural confidence, technological leadership, and social responsibility. The youth, armed with skills and ideas, were urged to view themselves not merely as job seekers, but as solution creators shaping India’s destiny.

A Platform That Reflects India’s Aspirations

The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue has emerged as a symbol of participatory governance, encouraging young Indians to contribute ideas across areas such as design, technology, social innovation, and cultural export. With the inclusion of international participants for the first time, the 2026 edition also reflected India’s growing global engagement and confidence.

The discussions, exhibitions, and interactions throughout the dialogue reinforced the idea that India’s development story will be written not only in policy documents but also in classrooms, startups, studios, and digital platforms driven by its youth.

The MGMM Outlook

The address at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026 reflects a deeper shift in how India is positioning its cultural identity in a rapidly digitising world. By placing youth at the centre of this transformation, the emphasis moves beyond policy announcements to participation and ownership. The call to break free from colonial-era mental conditioning and to engage the world with confidence rooted in India’s civilisational heritage signals an effort to redefine global narratives about India. The evolution of the National Youth Festival into a dialogue-driven platform further highlights a governance approach that values ideas, creativity, and long-term nation-building over symbolic celebration.

The proposal to reimagine epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata through gaming, animation, and digital storytelling captures the convergence of culture and technology. These narratives are presented not as relics of the past, but as living story universes capable of global resonance when expressed through modern formats. The focus on the Orange Economy underlines the economic potential of cultural industries, positioning tradition as a driver of innovation, employment, and soft power. Anchored in the ideals of Swami Vivekananda and aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, the message reinforces that India’s rise will be shaped as much by cultural confidence and creative expression as by technological and economic progress.

(Sources: OpIndia, Economic Times, News On Air)