Why in News?
"Friends of MY Bharat" is in the news because the on 19 August, 2026 Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports launched a dedicated digital module called "Friends of MY Bharat" to connect and engage Indian-origin youth living globally with India’s development journey.
Target Audience & Eligibility
- Indian Diaspora: Open to Indian-origin students, young professionals, and youth residing outside India.
- Youth Club Collaborations: Registered diaspora members can share information about their international youth clubs or associations, detailing their localized activities and areas of engagement.
Key Features of the Module
- Global Volunteering Gateway: Provides a digital registry for global youth to discover and join volunteering programs in India.
- Core Focus Sectors: Opportunities span crucial social areas including education, environmental protection, health awareness, disaster relief, and cultural preservation.
- ‘Know Your India’ Section: Features curated informational content on Indian culture, national heritage, history, tourism, travel, and prominent national leaders to help the diaspora deepen their roots.
- National Project Showcases: Highlights major ongoing MY Bharat initiatives, giving overseas youth direct insight into India’s youth-led development tracking.
What is the Main "MY Bharat" Scheme?
To fully understand the initiative, here is a foundational breakdown of the primary Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) platform:
- The Launch: Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31, 2023 (National Unity Day).
- Governing Body: Functions as an autonomous body under the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
- Core Philosophy: Driven by three core pillars: Seva (Service), Kartavya (Duty), and Jan Bhagidari (People's Participation).
- Phygital Ecosystem: Operates on a hybrid "physical + digital" mechanism. It utilizes over 780 District Youth Offices Alongside Common Service Centres (CSCs) to bridge urban and rural youth.
- Youth Benefits: Offers Experiential Learning Programs (ELPs), AI-powered CV builders, skill-building toolkits, nationwide mentorship networks, and verified digital credential badges.
- Major Collaborations: Integrates major youth volunteer frameworks under one digital umbrella, including the National Service Scheme (NSS), National Cadet Corps (NCC), and the Bharat Scouts and Guides (BSG).
Download Pdf