'Beyond AI vs Tradition: How Young India Is Decoding Legacy to Lead the Global Economy' - Gurcharan Matharu, Director, GEC
Kota, INDIA I 12 January 2026 : National Youth Day, observed every year on 12 January, marks the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, one of India’s greatest thinkers and youth icons. It was first celebrated in 1985, when the Government of India chose his birthday to inspire young Indians with his ideals of courage, discipline, self-belief, and nation-building.
The day highlights the role of youth as drivers of social change, innovation, and leadership. Through events, discussions, and campaigns, National Youth Day continues to motivate India’s young population to think purposefully, act responsibly, and contribute meaningfully to the country’s progress—making it as relevant today as ever.
“On National Youth Day, I speak to a generation that is not just the future of India, but its most powerful present. India is uniquely positioned today, with nearly 65% of its population below the age of 35—a demographic advantage that very few nations in history have enjoyed. What makes this moment even more extraordinary is that this youthful energy is not standing alone. It is being guided by nearly 35% of experienced professionals who bring wisdom, resilience, and institutional memory. Together, this combination is transforming Indian businesses and redefining our role in the global economy”, Gurcharan Matharu, Director – Gurunanak Nanak Engineering Group of Companies (GEC),
The narrative is often framed as a shift from traditional business to artificial intelligence. “I believe that is an incomplete story. The real strength of India lies in how our legacy industries, processes, and values have become the foundation on which AI-driven enterprises are being built. The youth are not discarding tradition; they are decoding it, digitising it, and scaling it for a global stage” adds Gurcharan Matharu.
Across manufacturing, engineering, infrastructure, and technology, young professionals are blending hands-on experience with data, automation, and intelligent systems. This synergy is driving efficiency, sustainability, and innovation, making Indian enterprises globally competitive and future-ready.
Gurcharan Matharu says, “To the youth of India: embrace technology, but stay rooted in purpose. Learn fast, question deeply, and build responsibly. Your role is not just to adopt AI, but to humanise it with ethics, inclusivity, and long-term vision.”
India’s growth story is being written by your ambition—guided by experience—and the world is watching.
Guru Nanak Engineering Group of Companies (GEC) was established in 1952 with the aim of providing high quality mechanical engineering services to its varied clientele. Over the years, it has grown into a leading engineering solution providing company for manufacturing sector covering Metals & Mining, Oil &Gas, Power & Utilities, Cement & Fertiliser, Chemicals, etc. and established as one of the trusted partners for major industries in India and worldwide.
Today, GEC has network spread over entire India, UAE & Kazakhstan offering variety of engineering solutions & services by employing more than 2000 skilled & committed workforce.
