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Every year we celebrate National Youth Day on January 12 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda; and remember him as a youth icon and a source of inspiration for the youths. But, while celebrating, do we review the condition of our youths. Many of the youths are not only frustrated, but also devoid of proper direction. Even our society is forgetting its responsibility of guiding them. Today, it is extremely important to contemplate upon the present state and orientation of our young generation. Efforts should be made to understand their psychology and counsel them accordingly.

But, who can be called a youth? A youth, in the real sense, is one who has the perfect blend of innocence of childhood, zeal of adolescence and maturity of thoughts of an adult. But, why our youths are not getting proper direction, in spite of possessing all these qualities? This question should be analyzed properly.

According to the recent demographic statistics, about half of Indian population is below the age of 25 years, while about 65% of our population is below the age of 35. This means that India has over 510 million people in the age groups of 13-35years. Today, about half of our population consists of youths. It is estimated that in the coming decade, their number could swell upto 580 million.

Global population statistics show that the birth rate in developed countries has reached a near zero level. This is adversely affecting the age pyramid of these nations, as the number of aged people is rapidly increasing. On the other hand, India is constantly being strengthened by the increasing number of youth in its population. Demographic data shows that in the coming decade, the average age in China, America and West Europe-Japan would be 37, 45 and 48 years respectively, while the average age in India would be only 29 years.

The active participation of youths in nation- building is a parameter of social mobilization and political orientation of the country. But, in India, the youth consciousness has disappeared from the political scene soon after independence. During our freedom struggle, patriotic youths had valiantly played an active role in turning Congress from a party into a mass movement and infusing political consciousness in the nation. Our young blood demonstrated unequalled examples of idealism, courage and sacrifice. Our freedom movement was led by eminent youths in various parts of the country. Chief among them were Pt. Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfakulla Khan in the Ganga- Yamuna doab, Kartar Singh Sopara and Bhagat Singh in Punjab, Anusheelan Samiti and the student revolutionaries led by Master Sen in Bengal and the brave youths like Savarkar in Maharashtra. The sentiments of nationalism and patriotism were so deeply rooted in them that the divisive forces of caste, religion, sect, language and region did not even touch them. However, education and its value-based ideals deteriorated with time, and with it got changed the nature and aim of the Indian youth movement.

Youth revolution changed its nature and the movement took political color

After the year 1965, dissatisfaction emerged among the youths in different parts of the world. While this substantially affected countries like Pakistan, France and Thailand, even India had to endure the rage of its young blood. It was this anger, which took the form of various linguistic movements in our country. Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad was also founded during this period. Analyzing their growing power in the country, even Congress formed its nation-wide students’ wing in 1968. However, the youth and students’ movement got a new dimension, when in 1974, the movement against corruption and unemployment began from Bihar and Jayprakash Narayan gave the call for total transformation and formed the ‘Youth for Democracy’ organization. But, by 1980’s, the polarization of political parties changed the whole scenario and this evenly affected the youth politics.

Meanwhile, politics got overshadowed by nepotism. Political implications of problems like casteism, communalism, and corruption, numerous scams and nepotism further deteriorated youth politics. Even today, it is passing through transition and the youths are enraged due to its inherent flaws. These include setting big targets initially and then using shortcuts to achieve them and the apparent disappearance of political role models. Therefore, youths like Hardik Patel are unable to find the correct path. Today, youths should come forward and try to improve the policies of our nation. This is because if our national policies are reformed, eventually, the politics would also improve.

Today, the world has acknowledged India as the third most powerful economy, after America and China. The creativity of our youths has certainly played a crucial role in making this achievement. These days various reports are showing that America is extremely worried about outsourcing. This is mainly because over 40% of India’s technical workforce is employed in various technology- based organizations of the world. For instance, over 15% technical workforce of the aircraft maker, Boeing consist of Indians. Estimates indicate that by 2020, there would be a scarcity of professionals in many countries. Then these economies would get support from the talented Indian work force.

Another noteworthy fact is that the job profile of our country has changed over time. Previously youths wanted to become civil servants, engineers and doctors. But, today they are eager to build their carrier in the fields of Information Technology, Computers, Business Management and Journalism. Moreover, today our youth are not only employment seekers, but are also becoming employment generators by beginning their own business enterprises. Various surveys point out that the average age of initiating a business venture has been drastically reduced from about 40 years to around 25 years. But, there is still a long way to go. A recent report of Business Week has revealed that only 40 million urban youths have been able to utilize the opportunities available in the post- liberalization period. Millions of rural youths are still forced to lead their life in unemployment and poverty.

Youths are passing through a phase of transition

Youths today are passing through a transition, where they could see traditional values on the one hand and technological development on the other. Presently, three generations are co- existent in our country, who are socializing with each other. Among these, the first generation suffered the period of British yoke in their early life and subsequently witnessed freedom; while the successive two generations read about liberalism, value systems and democratic traditions only in books. They found a big difference between theoretical idealism and actual realities. In the recent past, numerous youths participated actively in the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare and the movement against Nirbhaya incidence because they got the opportunity of closely observing and openly speaking against the leaders of India.

Recent studies reveal that apart from few exceptions, the youths of our country are one of the most aware youths globally. But, they are feeling a bit insecure due to the wave of knowledge and technology, which has blown worldwide. This has forced them to return to their roots. Today, they are concerned about their culture and values. But, their worries and concern have been confined to their career and family. Yet, it is like a spark, which could flare up into a fiery fire any time. The need of the hour is to break the prevalent stagnation and bring the youths in the socio-economic mainstream. These words of Swami Vivekananda still inspire and guide them - “Arise, awake, sleep no more; within each of you there is the power to remove all wants and all miseries. Believe this, and that power will be manifested.”

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