gfiles Magazine October Issue 2011

MY CORNER

 

youth power

 

 

Of fresh blossoms and tiresome fossils

 

Let the young build the India of their dreams

 

by RAMA NAIDU

 

IT is time we acknowledged and leveraged the clout of young India as opposed to “fossil” power. Statistics say that 72% of the population is below 40 years of age and 42% under 20. Now isn’t this something to be excited about? Does this not definitively tell us what kind of life lies ahead for the nation, and the enormous potential we have to fructify long term plans as there will be continuity in action and implementation? This is a dividend India has never had before.

 

The young have an established advantage: of education, technology, thirst for research, a high level of creativity, willingness to take risks, power of communication, flexibility and adaptability to change, the knack of questioning, the will to rise above thresholds set by generations and, most of all, the courage, will and grit to fight for their rights and move forward honestly.

 

As avowed by President Abdul Kalam in 2006, “Our youth, numbering 300 million persons, should develop the curiosity, knowledge, core competence, determination, perseverance and the courage to invent new phenomena….” And, as he recently stated at Wharton, “This resource of the youth is an important building block for transforming India into a developed nation.” Select leaders are convinced of the hidden and untapped potential; some verbalize it, most hesitate to acknowledge it.

 

The youth comprises a mighty force to galvanize change if harnessed correctly and constructively. In every sphere, be it science and scientific research, healthcare, politics, education, defence or even the hardcore manufacturing industry, an appetite for young and fresh minds is discernible. Already, many top positions in the corporate world are held by those under 50. Even Parliament has some refreshing thoughts emanating from young MPs such as the young Scindia family legatee, who eloquently presented them in relation to the Hazare episode in the House. For the common man, glued to Lok Sabha TV, his words were music to the ears.

 

True, there is a large swathe of young people with an attitude of unconcern living life on their terms and their parents’ pockets. At the same time, there is also a huge number of them who have journeyed to the IITs from the back of beyond and are reaching for the stars. They are emitting a strong signal to their peers that it is crucial to have an aim in life, to acquire knowledge through sweat, and be unafraid of the many obstacles that are bound to arise at each step towards change as it is India that will be shining when its people shine.

 

Yet, these young minds have to be cautious of being misled and manipulated by existing powers and smooth operators, who would unhesitatingly use their young shoulders to fire guns and then bask in the glory of success or bolt in case of failure. An instance of this occurred during the recent Anna Hazare movement. Our political leaders should note the immense untapped potential, especially with 2014, election year, round the corner. Will we see an emergence of youth power, innovative new election manifestoes, maybe even some fresh and dynamic promises for a New India driven by young blood? For too long have we heard the mundane slogan of “Roti, Kapda aur Makaan” and “Bijli, Sarak, Pani”. Thinking out of the box, doing the same thing differently, could be the key to revolutionary steps in growth for India. 

 

If a man in his forties can be the President of the US, why can we not have Ministers and maybe even a Prime Minister who is young and has the promise of leading the country for the next two decades? No offence meant to Dr Manmohan Singh; we have never had it better, but he will have to yield to age. A fresh young mind in a Ministry or other centre of power could be the change direly needed in that segment. We are seeing such change occurring, in small ways, and we need to give them space, a chance to blossom and prove their worth. We need to be prepared to

let them take control of the reins. If they make mistakes, so be it. They will learn. The young need to be given a framework and milieu in which they will thrive, not wither or fade away as did their forefathers. Only then will they eventually realise their dream of a superpower India.

 

 

Parliament has some refreshing thoughts from young MPs such as the young Scindia family legatee, who eloquently presented them in relation to the Hazare episode.

 

It is time the policy planners made plans to nurture the youth and their aspirations. In turn, the young need to show responsibility, as they will be accountable for what India becomes a century after independence. g