“NAYAK NAHI KHALNAYAK HAI YE !”
By Pranali Batra
Youth- the very mention of the word itself brings to mind an impression of vigour, enthusiasm and zest. This is that chunk of the population which promises to be the torchbearer of a bigger and brighter India. The country is evolving in every aspect and it is the young population of the nation that will usher in the changes that the nation is clamouring for. Just like the dawn breaks the darkness of the night with a new hope and exuberance, the youth too will lift the nation out of its languid stupor and remind everybody that the dawn arrives only after the darkness has departed.
Make way all, the youth has arrived!
There are several reasons why the youth today is by far the most powerful segment of the Indian population.
Let’s take a look at some of these.
The Sheer Size: As the well known demographics of the nation suggest, over 50% of the population is under 25 years of age, whereas over 60% is under 35 years. And that’s not all, it is estimated that that the average age of the Indian population will be 29 years in the year 2020. The very volume of the young in India ensures that their mere presence assumes the proportions of a revolution. The phrase that jumps to mind is ‘Love them or hate them, but you can’t ignore them!’ They are creeping into niches and corners everywhere to make their presence felt. And the foremost ingredient in any recipe of change is the inclination of the masses to agitate for it.
The Potential: The vivacity and the unmatched energy which is associated with the youth can be channelized into many productive areas. They arrive with a bang, signifying the spirit of revamping all clichéd and regressive norms of society saying ‘Aaj Kuch Toofani Karte Hain!’ Being the largest chunk of the population, the voice of the youth reverberates far and wide. Their familiarity with social networking further ensures that their opinions are heard by all. And the first step in any process of making a difference is getting heard! Secondly, the job market is now looking for younger and more enthusiastic recruits. The knowledge and exposure gained in this process, further empowers the youth and equips them to remodel obsolete practices and expectations of society. Remember, what they lack in experience, they more than make up for in their multitasking capabilities, their articulation expertise and the never-say-die spirit with which they tackle turbulences.
The Impact: The question that now faces us is that is the youth plain ‘brash and fickle-minded’ or is it a class that is actually making a difference? The available evidence suggests that we have a very dependable young population. Take the Nirbhaya case for example. It was a record-setting judgment that was delivered in a mere nine months, something unprecedented in India. What geared the government into action? It was nothing but the mass movement, wherein youth from all walks of life took to the streets to express their common disgust- delivering a clear message in unison- that we have had enough! The same thing can be said about the Anna Hazare mass movement also, which gained momentum only because the youth as a united front got attracted to its notion and therefore, became the advocate of Anna’s ideologies. It will be apt to say that whether it is careers in politics, cinema or contemporary forms of art, the youth seems determined to blaze their own trails of success and accomplishment. Take for example that the youth is not shy of breaking away from the job scene and venturing into other offbeat careers. Thereby we see the rise of a new breed of entrepreneurs, driven by their readiness to face and conquer risks. Another major fact in their favour is that they stop at nothing to drive their point home. They tend to develop innovative and novel techniques to get people to sit up and take notice. Flash mobs and street plays are such examples of their spontaneity and originality. It is now no longer uncommon to hear about youth-based associations formed for the betterment and service of society. One such instance is a group that took to painting thought-provoking graffiti, making dustbins in Lodhi garden their canvas of expression! It is gratifying to see that the new brand of politics is also designed to capture the attention of the youth, by bringing in their own kind to the forefront. When Akhilesh Yadav first arrived to form the government in Uttar Pradesh, there was an all-round feeling of novelty conveyed, not merely by his crisp white kurta pyjama but also by the sight of a politician clutching his very own tablet. And then of course, there is our very own Indian cinema! The newest class of moviemakers are breaking away from the stereotypical portrayal of society and ensuring that parallel cinema attains critical acclaim as well commercial appeal.
The Hope: Our very own harbingers of change are already on a mission to revamp the nation. This sentiment is best conveyed in the following words of Swami Vivekanand, “A few heart-whole, sincere, and energetic men and women can do more in a year than a mob in a century.”
So the next time you get dejected about the abysmal condition of the country, remember that the night is always darkest before the dawn and that our dawn has already set in!
