EDUCATED YOUTH IS THE NEED OF THE HOUR IN PRESENT POLITICS
The kind of fractious political environment that our disputatious leadership has created over the years in itself has become the biggest deterrent for any educated and equitably honest youth to take politics up as a scrupulously dignified career. In fact, over the years, the entire trenchant political environment has been constructed in such a discordant manner that it has managed to keep young, potently dedicated and benevolent youth away from it. If that is not the case, then how does one justify that almost 25 per cent of our Parliamentarians have criminal backgrounds. Youth politics was first recognized in America in the 1930’s with the formation of the Youth Congress. In India today, the youth is active and prevalent in each and every field. Except politics.
Historically, though, this was not the case. Not that it was any better ever, but in the 1950s, the average age of Rajya Sabha members was around 50, which shot up to 59 by the turn of the century. And I’m sure by 2009 it would have gone up by a few more months. Similarly, the average age of the 13th Lok Sabha has been around 55 years! Here again, the average age has been on a constant rise. The average age during the first Lok Sabha was 46 years. The matter of fact is that Indian democracy has invariably posed a classical dichotomy with respect to Indian demographics. A nation wherein more than 70 per cent of the population is less than 40 years has a Parliament which houses 80 per cent of its politicians over the age of 70! Probably no other nation reflects such a stark irony – for example in the United Kingdom, there were only two Prime Ministers (Winston Churchill and James Callaghan) who crossed 70 while holding their office! But then it would be wrong to state that Indian Parliament is completely bereft of youth. In the 14th Lok Sabha, some 36 young debutant MPs got elected and bettered the average age factor for the Lok Sabha.
Had these 36 young MPs not been elected this time, I’m sure Lok Sabha would have been declared dead, statistically, as the average mortality rate of Indians is 64. But then, other than lowering the average age of the Lok Sabha, the young MPs did hardly anything to bring in any noteworthy political change for the people of this nation. And this ought to happen, for most of the young MPs who made it through had a political legacy behind them. And that is the reason, as per a PRS India report, that young MPs hardly participated in the Lok Sabha proceedings. Whereas on the other extreme, MPs above 70 years, accounting for 10 per cent of the House, participated in 10 per cent of total debates. The report also states that the average attendance of MPs in the 25-40 years age group, which was at 70 per cent, was the lowest. What’s even more unfortunate is that during the Budget Session, which lasts for 28 days and is of national imperative, the average attendance of the very same young MPs was a mere 62 per cent.
Though as a nation we might have succeeded in electing a few youths in the Parliament, it has been an act of mere tokenism. For neither do they seem to possess any zealously rousing vision, nor do they presumably poss any precipitously striking leadership skills, which is pretty evident from their spiritless attendance and incurious participation.
In fact, with the election having been declared and with almost all political parties creating all kind of noise about educated youth getting into mainstream politics, particularly post 26/11, I do not contemplate much to happen. At best, a few political parties might succeed in getting a few youth elected; but then that’s it. The delinquent problem lies in the fact that it is prohibitively impossible for any educated and erudite youth with the right vision and leadership skills to contest an election independently. For not only does it require considerable money, but on top of that, if someone has to get any closer to winning, then one has to necessarily be a part of existing political ideologies.
The real catalytic change can happen only when political parties in power have a pre-potently dynamic youth oriented perspective. They need to not just invigoratingly encourage educated youth to participate but they need to have a systematic selection and funding process. It is only then that there would be a true vitalizing transformation in the political system that would pave a path for a fundamentally strong and prosperously efficacious democracy.
Everybody will agree with me on one thing that powerful energy in the world is Youth. Youth can build or destroy new world. Why doesn't youth become a part of politics so actively? Why we still see the hereditary in politics. Youth who always complain on many issues, why are they not taking up these things in their hand and trying to bring that change that they are asking for. Why is this not happening? Why India is failing to attract youth to join politics?
Its not like youth are interested, but they think politics is something a tedious process. And also it is related with youth's confidence. Nowadays money is becoming so powerful that no one could go against it. Youth is getting attracted very easily towards money, fame etc. Politics need patience and control which is missing and it is obvious as youth wants enjoyment in this period of life.
Young India has an interesting bunch of youth politicians who are energetic and earnest. However, the Young Turks are caught in a tradition that forces them to succumb to age and experience, that is, the redundant ideologies of the older politicians. This has stopped them dead in their tracks.
When the Nandigram issue occurred, there were no audible student voices; nor was the nuclear issue debated at all in the student campuses. Today, all debate has been limited to the television studios and all protests have become the quasi-statutory duty of the political parties. This is again working against the spirit of our young politicians.
Youth politics reminds me of the movie Yuva which I see as an accurate account of the problems faced by the youth in Politics. In the movie’s final scenes when Michael and Arjun, its two protagonists take their newly won parliamentary seats they are surrounded by men clad in white kurta pajama, Gandhi topis and their grey hair which is a sharp contrast to their jeans ensemble and gelled hair. This is the dismal ratio of Youth in politics.
The media constantly romances well known young politicians like Rahul Gandhi, Sachin Pilot, Omar Abdullah, Jyotiraditia Scindia, Milind Deora, Sandeep Dixit, Akhilesh Yadav, Manvendar Singh, Jatin Prasad, Supriya Sule, Kanimozhi, and Dayanidhi Maran. However, we keep forgetting the fact that opportunities came their way primarily because they are inheritors of a lineage passed on to them by their illustrious families. Again, why are MP’s such as Milind Goud and Sippiparai Ravichandra largely ignored? It is because the media itself is yet to grant such idealistic youth politicians from non-political families their meritocratic.
Indian army last year started new programs for attract youth in army. It’s all because youth now want luxurious life not fear of life. Politics need decision power. So, we need more youth programmers’ in Indian political scenario and make things look simple and for that to happen system needs to change where things gets implemented very quickly.
The problem is the first focus of youth is to educate oneself and become self reliant before embarking on a platform to be able to help anyone else. Right through this phase the pressure from all corners is to remain competitive and be able to excel and this traps many an idealists into Rat Race. And once in trap they find it impossible to comeback from the attained comfort zone.
It is the older generation who has earned their bit and can sustain themselves to come forward and treat this as a cause but for this to become possible LAW and Governance has to become effective to encourage fearless nationalists to survive to succeed.
The current political system not only distracts youths, educated and service minded people but also make they run away from it. If one has to enter politics one needs to have a godfather. If we have to have a good political system it need thorough reforms. Like politicians should retire at the age of 60/65.Not to allow them to stand for election if they have criminal cases. They should have prescribed minimum educational qualifications to contest election.
Today the nexus between Politicians and Mafia dons is there in the open to see. Any opposition is ruthlessly eliminated, if not amicable and refuse to share the loot. All parties are in it together and are looting our tax money. Unless the fear for life is removed no youth of this country want to risk with entering politics. There can be no denial of this. RTI activists in India are getting killed and all posts including CVC are getting filled with people who have tainted records. No hope in the near future for India.
Most of our people, even though, does not belong to or being a member of a political party, votes in Election as a Routine. Only people close to political system , gathers personnel for the party & use them either for personal or party gains. Such practice continues for 50 years or so. That means, majority of people do not belong to any party as such. Draw back.
Political parties need to organize open recruitment program as other systemic bodies are doing.A special recruitment body /cell need to be maintained. Not as we have, now, through someone close to him forward application to the party. Still, many of our youth does not know how the political parties are organized - means clear organization chart .Just by attachment & zeal, many join hands with political endeavor. This approach needs to be systematized & organized.
Admission applications can be publicly made available either through on-line or nominated press who can be loyal to the party. Encourage all educated youth to join through on-line application as the present scenario may not be conducive for direct. Call for Initiation camps and orient them to party ideology.
Frequently organize Voluntary program according to the aptitude of the member applied. It can be part time suiting to their other commitments such as in jobs / business.
A significant number of these young people are more educated than previous generations, and have the possibility of pursuing higher education. However, a huge proportion of this new generation, particularly in the countryside, is facing several problems that hamper its development and socioeconomic integration.
These conditions hold this generation off from politics, and can even create a feeling of disinterest out of pure indifference, distrust or even ignorance sometimes. This lack of interest is clearly manifested by abandoning the right to vote, which further decreases the youth’s political power. This desperate action can sometimes be seen as a form of passive protest against a system in which youngsters no longer believe.
From all these evils arise social habits that undermine these young people, and go as far as leading them to desperate actions such as drug use, or “escaping” to another “alternative” country, by risking their lives sometimes.
The political education of youth cannot be confined to academic training. Other areas should be developed as a substitute to associations, youth clubs, student unions and political parties that are now rendered meaningless as is the case in Algeria. However, we are witnessing a real exploitation of this vital force which constitutes the majority of the population in the other countries, instead of promoting its political education.
To express themselves, young people use new means of political participation based on the new communication technologies – which they master better than adults; these youngsters aspire to change.
A new subject has got prominent of late – India is in need of greater participation of educated youth in its political framework and if we look into the discussions of political pundits, this is only the hope that the country possesses and can lead it to a brighter future. Now there is also a question. Is it so? Can the youth power of India lead the country to a brighter future ever? Perhaps you have joined the contingent of dreamers already but confusion does persist. You do have every right to castigate this scribe as a pessimist but if we look into the history it will be found that this is not the first clarion call to the Indian youth.
The same call was given to the Indian youth of earlier generations too. Gray-haired Indians, who were in their prime age in the decade of 70s, can easily remember the Naxal movement, movements of then student wings of Indian National Congress and also the mass movements against the imposition of National Emergency. Each movement was guided by the Indian youngsters and was enough to rock the entire national scenario. Who can ever forget the self-confident and vigorous image of Sanjay Gandhi? This Gandhi scion was responsible to bring lots of educated Indian young persons in the national political scenario.
Similar vigorous temperament was shown by the Naxalite, Leftist youth and of course by the Indian youth adhering to other nationalist organizations. If you go through the pages of history it will be found that pundits in those ages termed the same as a new beginning in the Indian political structure. What did happen in the following years? All vigor of Indian youth drained, the Indian young leaders instead of radicalizing the nation became part of the mainstream only.
The youth play a very important role in every society. This is because the youth are mostly well educated with updated skills and knowledge. They are also very dynamic and hard working unlike the elderly men who can barely walk. Youth of India should come up and take part in politics so that the peoples future can be in hands of someone who is much more capable of.
Any young leader should not be given party ticket or ministerial berth only because he/she is a Gandhi, Pawar, Sindhia, Abdulla, sangma , pilot or Sayid. They need to prove their credibility as a leader first. It’s a fact that every society needs a dynamic leader because people cannot lead themselves. Do the emerging youth icons have the capability to judge the exact demand and requirements of the common mass? Or, they have simply become leaders because he/she is son/daughter of an ex or sitting prime minister/chief minister or any person who has a significant stake in corridors of power. If the youth leader comes from the second category, then we are leading towards a bleaker future. Everyone in this country has the right to contest elections and take active part in Indian politics. But, this role should be completely circled around the person’s capability as politics is not a family business.
Youth leaders should not be imposed on people. Rather, they should be figured out from the grass root level and groomed up. India is a land of million hidden talents. All they need is a proper platform. If such a platform is given, it will not only attract more and more educated and professionals into politics but also strengthen the core value of the largest democracy of the world significantly.
For our generation, politics, as a career, comes way down the career-option list. Rampant corruption, criminalization of politics, lack of accountability, lack of family and peer support, etc. are some of the reasons behind this. In UK, Tony Blair retires at 58 while in India; the chief posts are mostly occupied by the politicians above 50, rather 60. Another reason is the misrepresentation of the Youth as `cool, young and happening’. Very few people possess a voter identification card and an iota of them actually go to vote, all of which result in a degraded majority and a wrong party on power. “Nobody will ever deprive the Indian people of the right to vote except the Indian people themselves- and the only way they could do this is by not voting.”
Thinking and contribution from freshers is fresh, as it is not influenced by any partial view of reality. J.K. Rowling has aptly said: “Age is foolish and forgetful when it underestimates youth”. In today’s knowledge-based economy, what you have is more important than what you’ve experienced.
Recently, the Regional Congress committee hinted that it would positively consider Shahrukh Khan as a candidate if the actor sought a ticket for the coming Lok Sabha polls from a constituency in Bombay. If we as a nation have to move ahead and build the country of our dreams, we have to use politics as a medium to ensure that the Government remains sensitive and accountable to the people. We need developed and young minds instead of corroded and corrupt minds.
It is us, the generation X (Next), Y (Youth) and Z (Zealous), who can resuscitate India. As the new Airtel advertisement puts it “One act of defiance- can spark a revolution”. The Youth has to become a part of the politics to facilitate the reconstruction of a better society and a country. Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. Is the Shining India ready for politicians who are educated and eager for a Revolution? India, can you hear me?
The youth is always the prime factor of any society or any organization, because with age they have energy, zeal to perform and more dedication. We agree that politics is quite a challenging field, but we do believe that the youth of today is far more capable and fast. The youth of today are not only knowledgeable, but they are also aware of latest technologies and trend, which if used in right way can surely benefit every citizen and hence the country. Therefore it is time for senior politicians, to show their benevolence, by letting youth of today take over their role and let India have a better and speedy progress.
Indian youth plays an important role in the Indian politics as they are the future of India and needs different ideas to share with the old minds and make great changes in the politics, government and policies for the betterment of the country.
Indian youth are much awaited in Indian politics. We are witnessing new trends in politics but not many youth are coming into politics. Youth have the spirit and energy to achieve high goals in comparison to the sluggish old men working in the existing political system. Youth, overall could play a better role.
There is hardly any doubt that this great nation is reliant on a highly educated youth leadership at the moment; a leadership that can lead her towards betterment. And it doesn’t mean that this generation akin to earlier ones would fail to resolve or perform its duty. Surely the voyage has already commenced and we, common Indians, can only hope for the best.
Governments ought to be more reactive, achieve reforms starting from school, and carry on other development actions through debate forums. Otherwise, they may be at risk of heading straight towards political illiteracy.
Siddhartha shankar mishra,
near professor's colony,
bhima bhoi road,
Budharaja.
samblpur -4,
odisha,
Cell - 099379675779
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