Top News

Gurugram, Aug 21 (PTI): Nayab Singh Saini on Friday shared his political journey with young entrepreneurs at the 'Gen-H Yuva Udyami Chaupal' in Gurugram, recalling how he never imagined becoming chief minister while working at the BJP office in Panchkula in 1996, and encouraged the youth to prioritise consistency, credibility, and patience as their strengths instead of seeking quick success.

In the event held at Gurugram University, Saini used a simple metaphor to summarise his experiences: "Meri yatra mein koi lift nahi thi, main mehnat roopi seedhiyan chadhkar yahan tak pahuncha." (There were no shortcuts in my journey, only the steady climb of hard work).

He expanded on the meaning of 'Gen-H' by proposing a broader interpretation: "You call it Gen-H for Haryana; I would call it Gen-HB 'Haryana-Bharat.' Gen-HB is the heartbeat of India." During the interaction, many young entrepreneurs sought the chief minister's advice on topics such as advancing in politics without a legacy, recovering from failure, technology, sports, employment, the challenges of drug abuse, startups, government efficiency, and family matters, according to an official statement.

Drawing from his own experiences, Saini said that young people should not let failure define them but rather let their work speak for itself. He emphasised the importance of patience and steady effort over pursuing quick victories.

He recalled that his first electoral responsibility was not to contest an election himself, but to assist someone else in their campaign. He recalled how he worked tirelessly, often until 2 am. Although he initially lacked the funds to contest in 2009, he said he received support from others that enabled him to participate.

Saini further shared that after losing in 2009, he resolved not to let that defeat define him. He immediately returned to the community, despite having no official title or assurance of another election. This decision to persist, he noted, ultimately led to his victory in 2014.

He emphasised that the desire to serve the people facilitated the support he received in 2014, leading to his election and subsequent ministerial responsibilities. The opportunities he gained – including serving as a Member of Parliament, State BJP President, and Chief Minister – were a reflection of the people's trust, his sense of duty, and the chances afforded to him by the party, he said.

When asked about the advantages today's 22-year-olds have that he lacked at their age, Saini highlighted the immediate access to information from around the globe available at their fingertips.

In response to a question about supporting young individuals who wished to pursue non-traditional career paths against their families' wishes, Saini made it clear he would side with the youth.

He shared his own family experience, noting that while he had advised his son to enter the medical field, his son chose to pursue law, and he is now studying it. Similarly, his daughter is preparing for a career in her field of choice.

Saini praised the current generation for increasingly selecting career paths aligned with their interests.

He noted that before 2014, the number of startups in Haryana was minimal; now, the state boasts 12,500 startups and 17 unicorns. He encouraged young people to aspire to be job creators rather than job seekers.

Saini stated that the government has introduced a startup policy specifically for Haryana's youth, providing universities with Rs 20 crore each for supporting young researchers, along with establishing incubation centres. He also mentioned that accessible credit is available to young entrepreneurs through the MUDRA scheme initiated by Prime Minister Modi and other initiatives.

Addressing a query about enhancing sports and supporting athletes in Haryana, Saini acknowledged that while medals are showcased on podiums, the preparation for achieving them begins years earlier, in village akharas, school grounds, or during early morning runs.

He credited Haryana's sporting success to an entire ecosystem formed through collaboration among athletes, families, coaches, villagers, and the government. PTI COR MPL MPL

(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)