Marking a significant milestone in student politics, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday extended his heartfelt greetings to the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) on its 55th Foundation Day.
Taking to social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi posted: “Warm wishes to all members of the NSUI family on the occasion of its 55th Foundation Day!”
Reflecting on the journey of NSUI, he lauded its legacy of empowering students and catalyzing change across the country. “For over five decades, NSUI has stood as an unwavering voice for students – championing their rights, empowering youth, and driving positive change across campuses and communities. As we celebrate this milestone, let us renew our commitment to nurturing young minds, fostering leadership, and building a more inclusive and progressive future for our nation,” he wrote.
Founded on April 9, 1971, NSUI serves as the student wing of the Indian National Congress and currently boasts over 40 lakh members across 15,000 colleges in India. It has played a pivotal role in shaping student leadership and amplifying youth issues on the national stage.
From Greetings to Ground Action
Rahul Gandhi’s wishes came just days after he participated in the NSUI-led “Palayan Roko, Naukri Do” Yatra in Begusarai, Bihar — a campaign spotlighting the pressing concerns of the youth, including unemployment, job insecurity, and rising privatization.
The rally, spearheaded by NSUI national in-charge and Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar, saw energetic participation from students across the state. Rahul Gandhi’s presence bolstered the morale of the demonstrators and reinforced the Congress party’s commitment to youth-centric politics.
In a separate post before the event, the Congress MP had announced, “Young friends of Bihar, I will be coming to Begusarai on April 7th to join you in the 'Roko Palayan, Do Naukri' campaign, walking shoulder to shoulder with you. The goal is to show the world the spirit of Bihar's youth, their struggles, and their hardships.”
Calling on students to unite in solidarity, Gandhi urged them to dress in white as a symbol of peaceful protest and unity. “Come wearing a White T-Shirt, ask questions, raise your voice—to put pressure on the government for your rights, to hold them accountable. Let’s come together and make Bihar a state of opportunities,” he appealed.
A Call Against Youth Displacement and Joblessness
The Palayan Yatra – literally translated as “Migration March” – targets key issues such as lack of job opportunities, government inaction, and privatization policies that protesters say are eroding employment prospects for the youth.
“The issues you face—unemployment, inflation, paper leaks, and the reduction in government jobs one after another, along with privatization that doesn't benefit you—are the reasons we are on this campaign,” Rahul Gandhi said.
