Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that skilling the youth holds the key to India becoming the third-largest economy in the world from the fifth now.

While addressing ‘Rozgar Mela’ virtually, Modi said nearly 1.5 lakh youth were given government jobs in the State during the last five years. The Mela was organised by the Gujarat government at the Mahatma Mandir convention centre in Gandhinagar.

The PM highlighted the need to create a skilled workforce on a large amount to tap growth of opportunities in different sectors.

He said, "For the new opportunities being created in the country, we need to create skilled manpower on a large scale. India can achieve the target of becoming the third-largest economy only by skilling its youth.”

Modi said nearly 18 lakh youths received jobs through employment exchanges during the last few years in his home State of Gujarat, ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"During the last five years, the Gujarat government gave jobs to 1.5 lakh youths. Moreover, nearly 18 lakh youths received jobs through employment exchanges during the last few years in Gujarat,” said Modi.

At the event, attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, more than 2,500 youths were given appointment letters.