Current State Of Youth Empowerment In India

Youth is the most important and dynamic segment of the population in any country. It is believed that developing countries with large youth population could see tremendous growth, provided they invest in young people’s education, health and protect and guarantee their rights. We can undoubtedly say that today’s young are tomorrow’s innovators, creators, builders, and leaders.

But they need the required support in terms of good health and opportunities skills to transform the future. The economic trigger happens when a county’s more hands to work available than more mouths to feed. To put it succinctly, the working-age population has to be larger than the dependent population.

India’s Development is in the Hands of the Young People

Almost 34 percent of the Indian population consists of youth. They have the power to change the nation. The young mind will be more fresh and innovative which helps in the progress of the country. But adequate opportunities should be given to the youth to represent their ideas and policies for the upliftment of the nation. The only way to express the ideas and to implement their policies is politics. Young people should be motivated to take part in politics and to occupy the high positions such as Prime Minister, Governor and Chief Minister.

Knowledge and unity speak a lot rather than experience. For instance, a mass protest by the youth in the Marina beach for Jallikattu is a prominent example for the strength of youth. If the ruling power is given in the hands of the youth, then definitely India will become a developed nation in 2020.

Youth can be an Antidote to Bad Governance and Corruption

They have the power to change. Education programs should aim to teach and young minds right from the school level the importance of choosing the right people who would take charge of governance. Conventionally, youth have been asked to keep away from politics. Youth should be motivated to consider politics as a means to serve the nation. They should be oriented on anti-corruption drives with a focus on prevention, education, and strategies for fighting corruption. Good governance is realistic with youth empowerment.

The pivotal role of a youth who is afresh with ideas and not ideals will help in this movement towards a transparent civil society structure which can influence the political administration for the benefit of the society. For Eg: Youth Arts and Sports Club once a prominent site in Kerala’s villages had a dual role to encourage youths participation in social and political activities through awareness and also empowering the people for rights and assisting them at various levels.

Digital Empowerment

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.

Technology has enabled equal opportunities in matters of accessibility and youth have been at the forefront of learning and adaptation of new technological options.

The biggest achievement of the youth and technology co-option can be said to be risk-taking the spirit and the rise of start-ups.

National Youth Policy 2014  

According to the Annual Report 2016-17, “The National Youth Policy 2014” reiterates the commitment of the entire nation to the all-round development of the youth of India so that they can realize their full potential and contribute productively to the nation-building process.

Job Creation

Indian youth can contribute to higher economic growth if properly absorbed in the labor market.

The country is experiencing a youth bulge which is much more pronounced in the northern and eastern backward states of the country.

However, the number of jobs created each year is inadequate to absorb this growing population of youth in the labor market.

Younger people are joining non-agricultural sectors such as construction, manufacturing and trade and related activities in greater numbers.

This shift from agriculture is largely due to the fact that agriculture is not able to absorb more labor and because it does not offer remunerative jobs for the young entrants in the labor market who have better educational achievements.

Unemployment

Unemployment is higher in urban than in rural areas and for females compared to males.

Unemployment among youth rises with an increase in the level of education.

The Indian labor market is not only creating inadequate jobs, but the discrimination prevails against the females in recruitment in the labor market.

An additional reason can be that jobs suitable for women are not being created or there is a lack of suitable infrastructure facilities such as transport, crèche facilities, etc which could facilitate women’s access to jobs.

Gender Equality And Youth Development

Women’s economic empowerment is central to the national priority of inclusive economic growth and is critical for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs offer a historic opportunity to pursue transformational measures to ensure equality for every woman and girl, everywhere. Investing in women’s economic empowerment sets a direct path towards gender equality, poverty eradication, and inclusive economic growth.

The inclusion of women and girls in the economy and the provision of safe working and public spaces must be accompanied by measures to prevent violence against women and girls, and enable them to participate fully in society and contribute to the health and prosperity of their communities.

One in three Indians is a young person, aged 15 to 24 years, and children comprise almost 37% of the country’s population. India has the largest youth population in the world. By 2020, the average age of the country will be 29.

India’s economic growth prospects and achievement of the SDGs will depend largely on their skill, energy and drive to succeed, and on the availability of effective mechanisms to nurture youth leadership, participation, and volunteerism.