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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