(GIST OF YOJANA) Indian Youth : Emerging Power - August - 2017

(GIST OF YOJANA) Indian Youth : Emerging Power - August - 2017

The term 'Youth' as defined by the UNESCO - is "best understood as a period of transition from the dependence on childhood to adulthood's independence and awareness of our independence as members of a community. Youth is a more fluid category than a fixed age group".

As per the Annual Report of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (Department of Youth Affairs), 2016-17, the youth make up to be the most enthusiastic segment for any institution for governance. Due to their vibrant and dynamic approach, 'India' comes across as a young nation with nearly 65 per cent of its population falling under the rough age bracket of "under 35", thus making it a largely young nation. The Annual Report estimates that by the year 2020, India would have a median age of 28 years as compared to the 38 years of other South Asian nations and China. The Indian population under the age group of 15-29, comprises 27.5 of the total population, giving India a favorable demographic profile.

With an array of social, political or civil movements, the youth have been at the. centre of activities. From the LGBTQ movement to the 'equal right for women' and from environmental concerns to humans rights - the youth have been at the centre of activities encompassing multifarious arenas in public life and often act as a workable pressure group. In order to have their expansive interest and concerns manifested, the new media tools have been both continuously and extensively exploited so that Media/social media puts forward, debates and circulates the popular opinion. The new media tools not only help in the formation of idea, these also help in collaboration and communication of an idea and eventually help in validating it with mass acceptance. The reason why youth should be at the core of economic/socially meaningful actions is its innate ability to adapt to the ever-changing societal dynamics.

One of the most crucial factors that help youth in finding roots is the use of, and emphasis on technology. Government's efforts to advocate digitalization with associated moves and concepts like cashless economy and digital India - technology is emerging as an effective option in all efforts to address the issues of the economy. Technology as we know and interact within our day to day lives is a positive means of advancements. Technology has helped mankind achieve seemingly impossible feats and we look at conquering new milestones each day. Technology has also been used for the betterment of lives - more so in the developing nations.
The digital environment in India has empowered the youth to stand up to the world in a more consolidated manner. It leads to faster communication; quicker learning and also links two geographically distant places on a common platform. It acts as a collection of likeminded ideas and then 'works out on possible solutions and results. At the touch of a button, W0- can share ideas, consult, collaborate and articulate the thoughts and action. Technology is more than what meets the eye. A student can have a highway of study materials and apply for institutions that have specialized study centres. Technology has enabled equal opportunities; at least in matters of accessibility and it is again to the credit of youth that they have been in the forefront of learning and adaptation of new technological options.

The government, through its specialized Ministry for Youth Affairs and Sports has constantly looked and re-looked at development and advancement aspects for the substantial and beneficial growth of the Indian youth. It, alongside regular reviews, has also been coming out with new initiatives/programmes and workshops on issues concerning the youth for regular training and lifestyle/leadership Skills.
The objectives and priority areas under National Youth Policy 2014 are-

(i) Creating a productive workforce that can make a sustainable contribution to India's economic development.

The priority areas for this are
• Education
• Entrepreneurship
• Employment and skill development

(ii) Develop a strong, healthy generation equipped to take on future generations. To be operated through
• Health - hea1thy lifestyle
• Sports

(iii) Instil social values and promote community service to build rational ownership - operative tools are
• Promotion of social values
• Community engagements

(iv) Facilitate participation and civic engagements at all centres of governance to be operated through
• participation in politics and governance youth engagement

(v) Support youth at risk and create equitable opportunities for all disadvantaged and marginalized youth. The priority areas being Inclusion and Social Justice.

As per 2011 census, approximately 41 per cent of the Indian population is below the age of 20 years. This age bar is the most crucial in the aspect of personality development - for it rests heavily on right guidance, orientation and directions. The young today have sadly been subjected to the ill-effects of fast growing urban sutures and are drawn to crimes even to maintain a living. A major reason for this negative outlook is the disparity between availability and accessibility. While, there may be programmes and initiatives undertaken by the government - the method or means to avail of them has not been easy. Dominant hurdles in accessing these facilities are the 'financial constraints or the 'social structure'. Also, prominent reason for the unawareness of youth crisis, and mechanism to counter it - has been in the failure of the concern being accommodated at a wider academic panel.

As per the Ministry Annual Report-20 16-17, for the successful working of the National Youth Policy, 2014, alongside the priority areas of its' operation, there also is a list of suggested interventions. Significantly enriching them include -

• Building system capacity and quality in education.
• Targeting youth outreach and awareness -building link across systems and stakeholders in employment and skill development.
• Meeting customized programmes in entrepreneurship.
• Improving service delivery in the health sector.

The RYSK now aims to provide a more holistic and overall development as it now operates in an interdisciplinary approach rather than a compartmentalized one.
Some of the important initiatives of the government are mentioned below-

1. Skill up gradation Training program (SUTP): It aims to develop vocational training skill with the help of trained masters to help generate extra income and boost self confidence.

This programme also aims to recognize the local need and thus imparts vocational training.

2. Mahatma Gandhi Yuva Swachta Abhiyaan and Shramdaan Karyakram to alert and engage the youth in contributing to the cleanliness drive and water conservation.

3. Life Skill Training for adolescents (Empowerment for Adolescents): This is an important and major initiative for it highlights the psychological derailment of the youth, and training youth in a manner that enables them to cope with the pressure and make healthy life choices. This scheme also aims to sensitize and make aware the adolescent about reproductive sexual health, the issues and concerns. It aims to draw a consensus by pooling their potential for problem solving.
By the virtue of enactment Act 2012- The Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development was established. It aims to establish itself as "a globally recognized and acclaimed centre of academic excellence in the field of Youth Development"

It offers various academic programmes mainly post graduate degrees in M.Sc. In Counseling psychology, M.A. in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, M.A Gender studies and M.A. in development policy and practice etc. it also makes available the facility of pursuing doctoral degree, pertaining to the subject concerning the youth in an interdisciplinary manner.

With the idea to provide an economically feasible, socially trusted and easily available accommodation- the government has stationed various Youth Hostels centered across cities located at historically and culturally rich places, among city centres and tourist destinations- equipped with full power and water supply, it aims to provide a living experience of the nationwide diverse culture and interaction by providing an accessible accommodation.

The government through its various means has tried its best to bring out the potential and capability' of each individual youth, that not only helps in personality development but foster an emerging national global dominant voice. The transforming youth shall be the torch bearers of a much sensitized, conscious and harmonious world.

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Courtesy : Yojana