Youth Bulge And New India – Key To Sustainable Development

Youth are 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 of New India. But they need the required support in terms of good health, education, training and opportunities to transform the future.

Youth, A Demographic Dividend:

A sustained drop in fertility has led to an increased concentration of the population at working ages (between 25 and 64 years) and this shift in the age distribution provides a time-bound opportunity for accelerated economic growth known as the “Demographic Dividend”.

India has the edge of demographic dividend. They have the power to change the nation. Young mind will be fresh and innovative which helps in the progress of the country. 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.

In India, youth is key to integrity, peace, health and sustainable development. They can bring sustainable India through perform, transform, and reform.

Youth, children and adolescents comprise the core of India’s 1.4 billion strong population. Over 28 per cent of the country’s population is between the ages of 15-29 years. At 273 million, India is also home to the world’s largest adolescent population (10-19 years).

Hence, it is essential to engage this young population with education and activity-based learning, not only on academic, professional and vocational skills, but also on life skills that concern society at large – and on which their actions matter. All the youths must highlight the need for stronger cooperation and coordination to counter the socio-economic problem’s of India. The youth of today is increasingly becoming restless and struggling to remove the disparities. However, more efforts need to be put in, if we are to become free from the vicious circles of poverty, malnutrition, corruption, violence and unemployment. All these vices are still prevalent in the society, which are not allowing our great nation to function in its real spirit.

Your Voice and Action Matter!

Youth is the age of discovery & dreams have the power to transform the nation into a better, greater, greener and sustainable development. They fight for an identity in society, equality, Justice, homelessness, unemployment, exploitation, poverty and have to fight with other social problems like Female Foeticide, dowry, human rights, animal rights, educational issues, socio-economic issues, inequality, atrocities on poor, corruption, communalism, casteism, kangaroo courts, social boycott, ostracisation, exploitation of children, minor girls, and women, environmental issues,  and gender issues which the youth of India faces today and to achieve the sustainable development goals of the United Nations and to fulfill the dream of New India, Collective Consciousness is truly required.

Human Rights and Human Development:

Development is a human right that belongs to everyone, individually and collectively. Everyone is “entitled to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realised,”.  The right to development is not about charity, but enablement & empowerment. Widening inequality within & among countries, poverty gaps, food shortages, climate change, economic crises, armed conflicts, rising unemployment, popular unrest, & other pressing challenges confront our society. The right to development, which embodies the human rights principles of equality, non-discrimination, participation, transparency & accountability as well as international cooperation & solidarity, can guide our responses to a series of contemporary issues and challenges including in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. As a nation, since 75 years, we have been striving to eliminate these inequalities at all levels, which are existing in the forms of poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, corruption, violence, nepotism, political favouritism, crony capitalism, gender bias etc.

India is ranked at 132 in HDI, 115 in HCI, 107 in GHI, 136 in WHI, 132 in IDI, 122 in GDI. India’s rank in various development indices has barely grown over the years. If India is to improve upon these indices, then the Indian Youth needs to take the charge and come forward to fight against multiple inequalities and contribute in nation building. India is experiencing a demographic window of opportunity, a “youth bulge”. Youth bulge refers to a demographic pattern where a large share of the population is comprised of children and young adults.

Qualitative Approach to achieve SDGs through Participation:

It is, therefore, important to acknowledge the role of civil societies in empowering youth towards strengthening of the democratic system of the country and sustainable development. The solution lies to effectively utilise modern tools in disseminating the belief among youth on their participation and representation in democracy through civil society initiatives. Women are being killed by their abusive husbands or vice versa and it is largely seen due to adultery issues after supreme court’s verdict adultery is not a crime. All of this crime and violence needs to stop.

The wise youth that we have out there should be taken into consideration. Some of them, though educated are unemployed. They should be given an opportunity to expose their intelligence to the world and make themselves into someone. Government, Civil Society, voluntary organisations’ and other stakeholders should assist the youths; so that they can make our land a great and educated one.

The role of the youth in the nation building is crucial. They are problem solvers, have a positive influence on other young people and the nation, and are extremely ambitious. There is a need to take steps to adapt them. Youths can bring social change in rural India, which is the corner stone of sustainable development.