Union Minister Suresh Gopi said in Kochi on Friday (February 27, 2026) that it was unfortunate that States , including ‘Keralam,’ could not understand the purpose and essence of the Union Budget 2026-27 as it had given special focus on shaping the future of the country’s youth.
India is home to more than 800 million people in the working age group and this year’s Budget has given special focus to equip this demographic dividend, he said after inaugurating the Centre for Future Skills at the Federal Institute of Science and Technology at Angamaly in Ernakulam district of Kerala.
He said that skilling has been primary pillar of focus for the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre right from the days of the regime under the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. There is no doubt that the Centre will work tirelessly to fulfil the ambitious dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to transform Bharat into a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, he said.
He said that the youth should be celebrating such initiatives by the Centre to celebrate the demographic dividend of the country.
The Minister said that equipping this demographic dividend with future-ready skills could turn this vast potential into the engine of our national growth. As we witness Artificial Intelligence and automation reshaping the global landscape, initiatives like the Centre of Future Skills will play a key role in preparing the youth for high-demand careers. We are committed to ensuring that more of these centres are established in ‘Keralam’ to drive placements and entrepreneurship opportunities for our younger generations, he said.
Roji M. John, Anagamaly MLA, attended.
Published – February 27, 2026 04:06 pm IST
