Full text of Rahul Gandhi's speech at AICC session

New Delhi: Gandhi scion and newly-crowned AICC General Secretary, Rahul Gandhi, was the cynosure of all eyes at the one-day session of AICC in New Delhi on Saturday.

Taking the centrestage at the party conclave, he unveiled his political agenda, declaring that linking the poor and the backward sections with the domestic and international economic system was the biggest challenge for his generation.

But what grabbed everyone's attention was his special emphasis on giving the youth a pivotal role in the party setup. The GenNext has the greatest stake in the country's future, he said.

Here we reproduce the key part of Rahul Gandhi's speech, which he delivered both in Hindi and English.

"The true realisation of India's power lies in igniting the fire of ambition of our aspiring millions. In order for this flame to spread, India needs to be connected within itself and to the rest of the world.

We need to connect India physically through roads, electricity, telecommunication, railways and other infrastructure. We need to connect India intellectually through literacy, education and training. Finally, we need to connect India economically through the creation of jobs and livelihoods.

It is we the youth who have the greatest stake in our future. It is from among the youth that tomorrow's leaders will rise. I firmly believe that the youth Congress and the NSUI can and should become the vehicles for young Indians who want to serve our nation.

Over the last few weeks, I have spent many hours with our workers and office bearers. I am proud to say that there are many among them with talent, character and a will to serve. But there is work to be done.

In my travels, I am often asked two questions: the first is from young people who ask how can we join politics and help India. The second question which comes from within the Youth Congress and NSUI is " how do we progress in the organisation."

These two questions touch at the heart of what needs to be changed.

If we are to truly become an organisation that represents the youth of our country; if we are to truly develop leaders of whom the nation can be proud, we need to do two things.

The first is to build an organisation that is open and relevant to the broad range of young Indians who believe in our values and seek to serve the nation.

The second is to build a meritocratic organisation. Young people bring tremendous passion and energy into our organisation. We must see to it that they are accountable. It is our duty to ensure that their progress is linked to their performance.

I stand here today to urge every young Indian to join us and help us build institutions worthy of your dreams, your values and your capabilities. Jai Hind."