Updated: 2 days ago
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia engages with I.I.M.U.N. young leaders in Mumbai, discussing dissent, education, technology, telecom and the Northeast
Swati Bhat
Mumbai, September 2026:
Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Mr. Jyotiraditya Scindia, engaged in a dynamic conversation with the young leadership team of I.I.M.U.N. (India’s International Movement to Unite Nations) at the organisation’s headquarters in Mumbai on Thursday.
The interaction encompassed discussions on student protests, freedom of expression, education, responsible citizenship, India’s telecommunications journey, technology, and the development of the Northeast. The dialogue also explored the relationship between different generations and the pivotal role young Indians can play in shaping the country’s future.
A defining moment occurred when Mr.Scindia addressed the derogatory label of Gen Z as “cockroaches.” With conviction, the Union Minister declared, “Whoever said this, I can go on record saying this, had no right to say this. No right whatsoever, irrespective of the position, or wherever. Every single citizen of this country is contributing to making our nation great.”
Scindia on dissent: patriotism and criticism can coexist
Addressing questions about student protests and criticism of the government, Scindia affirmed that dissent is a crucial element of democracy. He emphasized that criticism should be paired with a willingness to contribute.
“There is no competition between loving your country and criticising the dispensation. They both exist together,” Mr.Scindia stated. The Minister also advocated for greater dialogue between generations, warning against societal division through labels like Gen Z and Gen Alpha. According to Scindia, ideas and wisdom transcend age, caste, creed, or religion. Quoting the phrase “Wisdom lives everywhere,” he encouraged the young participants to engage with people across generations and backgrounds.
Education needs to move beyond rote learning
Education was another key focus during the interaction. Scindia advocated for ongoing reforms, emphasizing application-based learning and skills over rote memorization.
Discussing the NEET re-examination, he highlighted the logistical challenges in conducting exams and stated, “Conducting examinations take months of planning. Taking the issue into consideration, on the Honourable Prime Minister’s call, the government was instructed to conduct the re-examinations in just 20 days.”
He also stressed the importance of continuous teacher training, arguing that educators need to evolve with changing student needs and the broader education ecosystem.
From technology consumer to technology maker
India’s transformation in telecommunications was another major highlight of the conversation. Mr.Scindia underscored the country’s growing capabilities in indigenous telecom technology and manufacturing, stating, “We are not a market for technology. We are the makers of it.” He noted the rollout of India’s indigenous 4G technology stack through BSNL and the rapid expansion of 5G connectivity. According to the Minister, India achieved 99.9% district coverage and 85% population coverage within 26 months. He also discussed the expansion of BSNL’s 4G network and the use of indigenously developed components, emphasizing the importance of building and manufacturing advanced telecom technology within India. Beyond telecommunications, Scindia highlighted developments across digital payments, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and space technology as areas where young Indians could drive the country’s next phase of growth. “Who’s going to do the heavy lifting now? You guys?” he challenged the young delegates!
Northeast as India's “window for the world”
In a rapid-fire segment, Scindia described the Northeast as a “window for the world” for India, integrating the region into a broader discussion about connectivity, development, and the country's future. The conversation also ventured into lighter topics, touching upon Mumbai, Gwalior, education, personal preferences, and the Minister’s sources of inspiration. For I.I.M.U.N., the interaction embodied the central idea behind its Leadership Series: creating a platform where young people can directly question individuals shaping public life.
I.I.M.U.N. Founder Mr.Rishabh Shah stated, “Dialogue is an essential part of any democracy. And finally, the country is paying attention to Gen Z because of its outsized impact on politics.” He added that the organisation has spent the last 15 years empowering young people to question, engage, and form their own views. Mr. Shah described the interaction as a reflection of that philosophy, particularly the opportunity for young participants to ask Scindia challenging and crowdsourced questions on Gen Z, politics, the Northeast, and his personal experiences.
Encouraging young Indians to make a difference
India's International Movement to Unite Nations was founded in 2011 as a youth-run non-profit organisation focused on leadership, dialogue, study tours, social impact initiatives, and engagement with national and global issues. Its Leadership Series has brought its young leadership team into conversations with personalities from politics, business, cinema, fashion, public administration, and other fields. The organisation asserts its objective is not to dictate what young people should think, but to provide access to diverse perspectives and the confidence to question them. Concluding his interaction with the young delegates, Mr.Scindia left them with a message centered on individual agency and participation: “Have the confidence that each one of you here can make a difference.”
Watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/u5tXlcalvIYsi=P4VJn8bD7Ie1L1IP
