better world for the youth

8/10/2019 better world for the youth

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BUILDING A BETTER

WORLD:

PARTNERING WITH

YOUTH


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Building a Better World:Partnering with Youth

Amid the reports of exodus of North-Easterners from some states of India to their'homeland', sudden firing at the wake of midnight by a US teen at the premiere of

a hit superhero sequel, suicide by young boys and girls in response to their poor

performance in exams, molestation cases and other such drastic news making

headlines time and again have forced me to think that where the youth of this era

is heading to? The madness that has gripped all over, leading to the exodus of

young North-Easterners is not only an impression of fear and doubt but also a

stark reflection of how even after 66 years of independence; we have not stopped

discrimination based on religion or ethnicity. I wonder why, we the youth havent

learnt from the slaughter of innocent Sikhs in 1984, when two Sikh bodyguards

murdered Indira Gandhi. Communal violence of any kind is totally unacceptable

as nothing-absolutely nothing justifies the shedding of blood of even a single

person in the name of caste, creed, religion etc. Ours is a young nation with above

50% of our population below 30 years. How can such community differences arise

if we decide not to be seen as Sikhs, Hindus or Muslims but only as Indians?

The youngsters are a powerful force to reckon with. They are energetic,enthusiastic and full of zeal. They cannot remain idle as it would increase their

frustration. We need to divert their unchannelised and surplus energy towards

useful work so that they meet the needs of the nation and realise their worth.

Contrary to this fact, many youngsters are committing suicides which have

become the second largest cause of death of youngsters after accidents around

the world. Though I am supposed to be sympathetic towards them but it makes

me all the more angry when I hear about such cases as it is mere foolishness to

end your life because you failed in your exams or your boyfriend dumped you on

a social networking site. How can one let go off such a precious gift as life given by

the Almighty. We need to accept the fact that life is not a bed of roses but a bed

of thorns too. We need to take challenges and difficulties in our stride and learn

to face them courageously. Our spirit should be such that it remains unconquered

come what may. It is extremely essential to utilise this power of the youth in


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eradicating economic and social evils that have plagued the nation for long such

as corruption, dowry and female foeticide. These days almost every young Indian

is talking about the burning issue of corruption, but still do not hesitate to bribe

the traffic policemen to save their own skin. Is this how we are going to eliminate

corruption from grass root level? With new scandals and scams coming to the

fore every now and then, it is high time that we say a big no to greasing palms and

contribute in our own way to get rid of this economic problem which is getting

deeper into the roots of this nation day by day. Our bid to move towards a better

world without the empowerment of young women is very much incomplete.

Though we boast of being modern and adapting to the changes of 21st

century,

dowry is something that is still prevalent in the so-called coming of agesociety.

Started initially as a gift to the girl by her parents on her marriage as a sign of love

and affection towards her, it has now taken the form of one of the most heinous

acts in relation to as sacred an institution as marriage. There is nothing more

saddening that many young girls have lost their lives owing to the atrocities

committed on them by their in-laws due to their never-ending greed for dowry.

This has led to parents seeing their girl child as a mere burden on them leading to

another wrong-doing i.e. female foeticide. They dont realise that whether a boy

or a girl it is their own child. In todays era where girls have outdone boys in

almost every field be it science, arts or literature, it is very essential to let girls seethe light of the day. They need to be freed from the chains of patriarchy and lead

their way to success. Let girls be born and bloom. The government is going to play

its part by implementing strict laws, but it is we who have to wake our inner voice

and vow not to indulge in any of these social evils.

Youth is the spring of Life. It is the age of discovery and dreams. The role of youth

is of utmost importance in todays time. We have underplayed ourselves in the

field of politics. It is time that we become aspiring entrepreneurs rather than

mere workers. In countries where young people have opportunities to advance in

business, civic participation, and education, societies are more stable. We have

travelled the roads of Indian democracy in the same rickety ancient grubby

vehicle for 66 years but now is the time when we need to replace it with a newer

and better one. For the establishment of Rule by the People in the worlds


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largest democracy as we proudly declare ourselves to be, it is important to

understand who these people really are. Is it really democracy that a nation

where a majority of population is below 30 elects a majority of people above 60

to power? With a major portion of our population being young, it is obvious that

participation of youth in the functioning of our countrys political practices is

integral. The methods of working need to be revolutionized at a grass root level

which can be attained by giving the youth the power to create a world in which

they wish to live. Their innovative way of assessment and unacceptability towards

injustice and unfair practices, makes them the ideal class of people to work for

the people and strengthen their representation. The country desperately needs

some young leaders who personify energy, enthusiasm, morality, and diligence.

No doubt we have progressed a lot in the last few years but the development

pace would have been completely different had some young torchbearers led this

process of development. At the time of independence, Gandhi called upon the

youth to participate actively in the freedom movement. Young leaders

like Nehru came to his reckoning and led the movement. But this is not the case

now. Nowadays we have only a handful of young leaders like Rahul Gandhi,

Sachin Pilot and Omar Abdullah etc. Youth are the treasures of massive power

and zeal. It is us, the generation X (Next), Y (Youth) and Z (Zealous), who can

restructure India. The Youth has to become a part of politics to facilitate thereconstruction of a better society and country. Though nobody can go back and

start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. Even if

we dont take part in active politics,we can do a duty that is enjoined upon us by

the constitution-vote for the right candidate.

Youngsters of today are the role models of tomorrow.

The responsibility for

change, progress and innovation lies on the shoulders of the youth. Youth can

make or mar a society. The educated youth should initiate steps to teach the

illiterate people in their neighbourhood. They could teach them elementary

reading and writing and also educate them about hygiene and the need for

cleanliness.

The population of India has crossed the staggering one billion mark.

The economic progress of the country, as a result, has been nullified. The

government has initiated various programs to bring the economically backward


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people into the national mainstream, but the reforms have failed to percolate to

the masses. Family planning programs of the government have not been totally

accepted and adopted by the masses. The governmental machinery has failed to

reach out to the grassroots. Youth organizations should take up the responsibility

of educating the poor about the benefits of family planning. It is quite evident

that the rural folk are usually suspicious about the intentions of the government

officials, nurses and doctors. Hence, it is the duty of the youth to further the

governments efforts.

Our dream to make a better world, a world where there is love, peace, harmony,

co-operation and co-ordination can be fulfilled only if there is national

integration.

It is a sentiment that makes us proud of our heritage and binds all

people in one common bond, no matter, what their caste, religion, language andsocial custom may be. Though great deal of progress has been achieved in many

fields but it is a pity that the spirit of unity, which had made our people think, and

believe that they are one family and one nation, appears to have

evaporated. Passions are inflamed in the name of language and religion. Loyalty

to caste and community is given priority over devotion to the mother land.How

can we conveniently kill one another placing the gun on Gods shoulder? I wish

people were as committed about treating others nicely as they sometimes are to

visiting gurudwaras or temples, mosques or churches. We have the will power to

fast for days and the generosity to donate money for renovating places of

worship, but not the kindness to give up our seat in a crowded metro or bus to an

elderly man or woman. We need to understand that our beliefs dont make us a

better person but our behaviour does. The engines, enthusiasm and idealism of

the youth should be channelized in a proper way, so that the task of national

integration becomes easy and the future more brighter.

With the 66th Independence Day just gone by, comprising of news pieces thatspelled increasing crimes against women, oppression of the weak, a system

riddled with corruption and scams plaguing most departments, it is time for the

youth to ascertain their role in leading the country towards a new form of

freedom. In todays era, Independence Day is just a small celebration for

youngsters at the school/college level which doesnt embed patriotism in them in


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the true sense. As we witness a free-for-all in most aspects of governance, we

usually shudder at the mention of assuming responsibility for improving

conditions. Over the years the meaning of independence has changed, and

Independence Day has lost its meaning for the youth. It is now only a reason to

enjoy a national holiday. Growing up in a free India, we have taken freedom for

granted. It is very important for us to realise that with freedom comes great

responsibility. No country is perfect, but it has to be made so through tireless and

unconditional efforts. On a personal level, we should all pledge to do something

for our motherland. It can be something as big as joining the defence services or a

simple step such as planting a sapling. If nothing more, we should take up a cause

or be a volunteer. Even a small contribution to a noble cause helps. We should be

ready for sacrifices. Doing something for others makes one feel good and also

gives a sense of pride. These days everyone seems confused about what to do in

life. Hence, one should discover a passion. It can be hobby or a goal in life. Being

passionate about something will drive us to do better in whatever we do. Last but

not the least, we should identify our talent and skills and imagine working in a

particular career. It will help us to choose the right option. As Robert Kennedy

rightly puts it "This world demands the qualities of youth: not a time of life but a

state of mind, a temper of the will, a quality of imagination, a predominance of

courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the life of ease." It isundoubtedly accepted that the youth is the future of a nation. The biggest reason

that makes them more powerful than the rest of the society is their ability to take

risk for a change. They have the enthusiasm and innovativeness to bring about

change. The power of youth must be harnessed properly to set the society on the

path of change.

Youth is that spark which needs no ignition

We are the change-makers. We have to be the change we want to see in theworld. Our country is developing at a rapid pace and tremendous progress is

taking place in all fields, be it science, economy or education. We should see India

as not a land of a billion problems, but a land of a billion opportunities. Our

country is our identity and we should be proud of our beloved motherland.


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Before wrapping up, I would like to mention that one act of defiance can spark a

revolution. Contemporary young world is ready for rebellion. But the big

question is-where is the rebellion? Why arent we tearing down walls?Why are

we satisfied with Karan Johar films and Chetan Bhagat novels? Why are we so

tame? Have the problems crippling the world taken the fight out of us?

Its high time that the Gen-X takes the bull by its horns.

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better world for the youth