Day Three of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026 has begun with an inspiring Conversation with ISRO Astronauts and MY Bharat Volunteers.

During their conversation, l distinguished astronaut-designates Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Nair interacted with young leaders from across the country. 

Both officers are accomplished pilots of the Indian Air Force selected for India’s flagship Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. The session provided a rare opportunity for participants to engage directly with India’s space pioneers and draw inspiration from their journeys, professionalism and vision for the nation’s future.

In a highly inspiring interaction, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla shared his experiences of spaceflight, describing the surreal nature of microgravity where conventional notions of direction cease to exist. 

Showcasing striking images of India from orbit, he remarked that his journey stands as living proof that dreams do come true. Stressing upon resilience as the key to success, he noted that the true mantra lies in navigating failures, bouncing back stronger, and never settling for complacency. Describing Indian youth as “fearless and forceful,” he urged young leaders to keep moving forward with determination.

Emphasising limitless ambition, he remarked, “The sky was never the limit - not for me, not for you, and not for Bharat,” encouraging the youth to dream boldly and pursue excellence in contributing to the nation’s future.

During an interactive session, moderated by a MY Bharat volunteer, Group Captain Prasanth Nair highlighted the growing global significance of India’s space journey, observing that the world increasingly looks to India as a representative voice of the Global South in space exploration. He attributed his motivation to the unwavering support of family and friends and inspiration drawn from the Bhagavad Gita. Reflecting on his global experiences, he noted that India’s strength lies in its unique values and inherent capabilities, encouraging the youth to remain lifelong learners and stay in “student mode.”

The day also featured Colours of Viksit Bharat, a vibrant cultural segment celebrating the creative and artistic expressions of youth. The programme showcased the top music, dance & poetry performances. Recognising outstanding performances and contributions, and reinforcing the spirit of excellence and youth-led nation-building, Union Minister, Dr. Mansukh Madaviya and Union Minister of State, Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse felicitated the winners.

The participants concluded the day by regrouping as State teams and visiting the residences of Union Ministers and Members of Parliament for dinner engagements, facilitating meaningful interaction, guidance and informal mentorship in an atmosphere of shared reflection and commitment to national service.

The final day of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, coinciding with National Youth Day commemorating the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, will mark the culmination of the four-day youth extravaganza. 

The day will be graced by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, highlighting the national importance of the platform and the Government’s commitment to youth-led nation-building. 

A Grand Plenary Session, including a Town Hall-style interaction, will enable direct engagement between the Prime Minister and young leaders, who will present ten high-impact ideas aligned with national priority themes. The concluding engagements are expected to inspire the youth to actively contribute to India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat@2047, reaffirming the central role of young leaders in shaping the nation’s future.