Katra, Apr 19 (PTI): India will rule the 21st century, which is the era of knowledge, and with 800 million youths below the age of 35 years, the dream of every young person can become a progress story of this country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today.

Addressing the fifth convocation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University in Katra, he said this is a "century of knowledge" and whenever there has been an era of knowledge, India has shown the way.

"India will lead the 21st century because the energy required for the 21st century is knowledge, and that is with India. India has 800 million youth power, which is below the age of 35. Dream of every young person can become a progress story for the country," PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister told the students that the question of "what next" will play on their minds, but the person who knows what lies ahead won't need to depend on others.

"Recall what your parents did for you. They sacrificed their own happiness for yours. You may have thought of so much in your childhood, but it may not have worked out. Forget that and instead, think of what you have achieved," he said.

Prime Minister Modi said that Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University has been built with the contribution of millions of pilgrims, many of whom came from far away places.

"Let's pledge that we will do something for the poor, because it was the poor pilgrim who contributed to build this university," he said.

"Our nation is scaling new heights of progress, and with such a youthful population we can achieve so much. Dream to do something and not to become someone," he said.

PM Modi said a unique feature of the university is that while other varsities in the country are run by tax payers' money given by parents, this one is being funded by millions of poor people who come to pay obeisance to Vaishno Devi shrine.