The two projects, one to promote digital technology partnership with France and the other to boost youth development in India through the "Mera Yuva Bharat" programme, have been approved by the Prime Minister of India. In order to advance bilateral cooperation in digital technologies, the French Ministry of Economy and Digital Sovereignty and the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

The primary goal

The creation of an independent organisation called "Mera Yuva Bharat" (MY Bharat) has received cabinet approval. The body will act as a general technologically-driven mechanism for the advancement of Indian youth. Its main goal is to give young people equitable opportunities so they can realise their dreams and contribute to the development of the country.

The National Youth Policy's definition of "youth" states that Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) will serve young people between the ages of 15 and 29, with particular elements designed for those between the ages of 10 and 19. Through encouraging youth as social innovators and community leaders, this effort aims to develop the leadership abilities of young people. Youth goals and community needs will better align as a result of it closing the gap.

Youth leadership abilities are to be developed in India through the "Mera Yuva Bharat" initiative. To do this, programmed abilities will take the place of solitary physical interaction. To develop kids as social innovators and community leaders, the government will increase its investment in youth.

The emphasis will be on youth-led development, making them active agents of change rather than merely receptacles. By combining existing programmes, the initiative will better connect community needs and youth aspirations, increasing efficiency. It will serve as a central hub for youth and ministries, building a youth database. By connecting adolescents with governmental programmes and the actions of other stakeholders who interact with them, the initiative will also enhance two-way communication. There will be a physical ecology developed to guarantee accessibility.

Strategic partnership to boost the digital ecosystem

In the digital age, India and France are committed to developing a thriving digital environment and supporting citizen empowerment. This collaboration is based on the 2019-released Indo-French Roadmap on Cybersecurity and Digital Technology. In line with the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), both countries are actively seeking cooperation in cutting-edge digital technologies, such as as supercomputing, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies.

Both parties are dedicated to improving access to digital technology in their respective nations, and the MoU will make it easier for them to work together more closely and exchange information about digital technologies. This agreement is anticipated to strengthen business-to-business (B2B) and government-to-government (G2G) alliances, ultimately leading to job possibilities in the IT industry. This Memorandum of Understanding calls for five years of cooperation.

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