Youth India's biggest strength, its potential unmatched: Rahul Gandhi in Prayagraj

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday described India's youth as the country's "greatest strength", saying their potential was unmatched in the world, while raising concerns over unemployment and the declining value of educational qualifications.

Addressing the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' programme at KP Ground here, Gandhi said the country's young people represented its "power and pride" and that their concerns needed to be heard.

"You are the power and pride of India. When I say this, I am talking about every Indian citizen," Gandhi told the gathering of students and competitive examination aspirants.

"This evening I want to speak to you about dard (pain), data, and daulat (wealth)," he said.

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said India's 40 crore youths constituted its "greatest strength", arguing that their potential was greater than that of young people in other major countries.

"There is a lot of talk about America, China and Russia. India's youths are unparalleled," he said.

Gandhi also raised concerns over the value of educational qualifications and their ability to translate into employment, an issue that has featured prominently in his recent outreach to students.

"Today, education certificates have no meaning in India because they cannot give you a job," he said.

His remarks came against the backdrop of growing political attention to issues affecting students and young job aspirants, including recruitment examinations, alleged paper leaks, unemployment and access to quality education.

Gandhi has in recent weeks stepped up his engagement with students, including through an Instagram 'Ask Me Anything' session in which he invited members of Gen Z and students to raise questions on issues concerning them.

The Prayagraj programme was attended by a large number of students and competitive examination aspirants, who gathered despite waterlogging and muddy patches at the venue following rains.

Students attending the event raised concerns about problems in hostels and issues surrounding competitive examinations. They said they hoped to put these concerns directly before Gandhi during the interaction.

The programme was also marked by cultural performances, with rappers from Mumbai performing before Gandhi's arrival.

The event came after uncertainty over its venue. The Kayastha Pathshala Trust had earlier revoked permission for the use of KP Ground, citing an Allahabad High Court order restricting the use of the college ground to sports and educational activities. The trust had also cited waterlogging and the absence of the required district administration approval.

The Congress had maintained that Gandhi would visit Prayagraj as scheduled and had urged the state government and district administration to provide an alternative venue if necessary.

In the run-up to the much-publicised programme, the Congress on Friday took out a motorcycle rally in Prayagraj led by Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai.

Gandhi's interaction with students forms part of the Congress' wider effort to position itself around youth-related issues, particularly education, employment and recruitment examinations.