ver 500
million people in the age group between 18 to 35 comprise 40% of India’s
population. India today is not only amongst the fastest urbanising
countries, it is also one of the youngest. A large human resource full
of creative energies and work potential is available to grow the new
India. Young people today are working hard to achieve their dreams. They
are like young people everywhere, not content with their current lot and
situation. They are restless to make something of their lives and live
better than their parents did.
The foundation of a better life fuelling this new
emerging ‘force India’ will be the robustness of our societal values and
the health of our natural eco-systems. It is amply clear that we cannot
continue on the roller coaster ride towards the fabled 9% growth as if
our natural resources would last for ever and as if economic benefits
would eventually trickle down to all. The new economy of the new India
is critically dependent on a new development paradigm different from the
ones we have been following for the last 65 years. Young dreams will
need to include a Green India and a Clean-India. A country where the
principles of sufficiency for all, efficiency in resource use,
precaution in technology choice and responsibility and accountability
guide our policies and actions.
The questions we need to ask today are not just what
this young India aspires for, but also whether our development paradigms
will enable them to have a ‘better future". And are they prepared to
change the definitions of a "better future" to a "sustainable future"?
It is true that a large percentage of this potential
young "force India" is struggling with limitations that our education
system and lack of opportunities have heaped upon them. A significant
percentage is racing ahead as if there is no tomorrow. Without
investment in education and orientation, skills and capacities, the 500
million are a potentially destructive force.
There is, however, a clear concerned small percentage
(about 25% of the youth, I would hazard a guess) and growing, that is
applying the brakes of caution. For them issues of environment
degradation, poverty and bio-diversity losses are issues of concern. And
they are taking charge. Youth groups across the country, as innovators,
entrepreneurs, campaigners and action groups are showing us what is
possible and making their voices heard in policy as well. So how many
change-makers do we need to turn development on its head?
This 25% can be an army of change-makers. Our
political leaders and businesses have long understood the potential of
this force as vote banks, a market, as well as a human resource. But
they have not harnessed the tremendous power of this large army as
social and environmental leaders. Starting from schools to universities
and young businesses, youth brigades can turn development models on
their head. The new economic models of change will reflect new mindsets
that define what is enough along with what is adequate. They will
include all in the pathway of development and show that environment
protection and economic sufficiency can go hand in hand.
These are our leaders of today and tomorrow – they
are the change and the change-makers! q