‘Youth Are Job Creators, Not Job Seekers’: Nitin Nabin Calls for Stronger Youth Policy

BJP national president Nitin Nabin on Monday called for greater attention to youth policy and sports in West Bengal, saying the state's strong traditions in sports, art, literature and culture could help create new opportunities for young people.

Addressing the Yuva Samvad Conclave in Kolkata on the second day of his two-day visit to West Bengal, Nabin said the state’s youth should not be viewed only as job seekers but also as potential entrepreneurs and job creators.

“Today’s youth simply need a platform,” Nabin said, while urging the state government to focus on youth policy alongside the sports sector.

Citing the growth of India's startup ecosystem, Nabin said young people were increasingly contributing through entrepreneurship and innovation. He claimed that more than 2.5 lakh startups and over 125 unicorns are now operating across the country.

Nabin also spoke about the changing relationship between young people, social media and outdoor activities. Using the contrast between “real” and “fabricated” reels, he said young people increasingly value authenticity. He also expressed concern that children who once spent their evenings on playgrounds are now spending more time on mobile phones.

Highlighting West Bengal's sporting and cultural heritage, Nabin said sports, art, literature and culture were closely associated with the state's identity and called for efforts to restore their prominence.

The youth interaction was part of Nabin’s wider two-day organisational and outreach visit to West Bengal. The visit came shortly after the BJP announced changes to its state organisation, including leadership changes in its Mahila Morcha and Yuva Morcha and seven organisational districts.

On September 27, Nabin held meetings with state office-bearers, MPs, MLAs, ministers and senior party leaders. Party leaders said discussions focused on strengthening coordination between the organisation, elected representatives and the government.

On Monday, he also participated in the Angan Ka Milan Seva programme at Lok Sanskriti Bhawan in Sodepur/Panihati. Reports said his revised itinerary also included a visit to Gangasagar, where he offered prayers at the Kapil Muni Ashram.

Nabin also commented on the ongoing political dispute over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal. Responding to criticism from former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he accused opposition parties of adopting different positions on the Election Commission depending on electoral outcomes. His remarks came amid an ongoing political debate over the revision exercise.

The BJP president’s West Bengal visit combined organisational meetings with public and youth outreach programmes, with the party presenting the exercise as part of its broader effort to strengthen its grassroots presence in the state.