Role of Youth in Shaping Kashmir’s Future :
By Advocate Adnan Magray
“The nation has to offer today’s Kashmiri youth something better”
The idea of nation-building started to fascinate me during my higher secondary school days . I was a student at army public school Srinagar and from 2010 to 2014 Those were exciting times to be in school during that time Anna Hazare’s movement had gained national prominence, Modi had announced his national campaign, Arvind Kejriwal had launched a political party.
The churn that was happening nationally was not limited to the Jan Lokpal bill. Particularly from a youth perspective, it was evident that young people had a desire to play a role in nation-building.
Every day, thousands of 10- to 15-year-old students walk through the doors of their middle schools with anticipation and great hopes for their future. Some will fall into leadership positions, but something so important should not be left to chance—or to the few.
Every student has the potential to be a leader, and their teachers and administrators have the responsibility to establish a school climate that nurtures their growth as self-sufficient, engaged citizens, and to develop their leadership skills.
Youth are the most important and dynamic segment of the population in any region . 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, education, training and opportunities 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, working age population has to be larger than the dependent population.
Today, Jammu and Kashmir is one of the youngest union territory / state in the country with more than 62% of its population in the working age group (15–59 years), and more than 54% of its total population below 25 years of age. The youth of today’s Jammu and Kashmir 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 in the region of Jammu and Kashmir. All these vices are still prevalent in the society, which are not allowing our great nation to function in its real spirit.
Unfortunately, being a democratic nation and largest democracy in the world, India is still lagging behind in achieving socio-political and economic equalities, which were dreamt by our predecessors. As a nation, since 72 years, we have been striving to eliminate these inequalities at all levels, which are existing in the forms of poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, corruption, violence, gender bias etc.
India is ranked at 130 in Human Development Index, 115 in Human Capital Index, 100 in Global Hunger Index, 122 in World Happiness Index, 62 in Inclusive Development Index, 141 in Gender Development Index and 145 in Global Burden of Disease Study. 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 with special focus on Kashmir policy .
Jammu and Kashmir has the edge of demographic dividend. They have the power to change .
Young minds of Jammu and Kashmir 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. 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 , Chief Minister , minister’s , MLA’S , MP’S .
Knowledge and unity speaks a lot rather than experience. For instance, a mass protest by the youth in Delhi for justice of Nirbhaya case, a mass protest in Delhi for India against Corruption and a mass protest in the Marina beach for Jallikattu etc are some of the prominent examples for the strength of youth.
If the ruling power is given in the hands of the youth, then definitely Jammu and Kashmir will become developed and prosperous region soon.
They have power to change. Education programs should aim to teach and young minds right from the school level the importance of choosing right people who would take charge of governance. Conventionally, youth of Jammu and Kashmir specially Kashmir valley have been asked to keep away from politics by dynasty politicians because if their personal self interest .
Youth of Jammu and Kashmir should be motivated to consider politics as a means to serve the nation. They should be oriented on anti-corruption drives with focus on prevention, education, and strategies for fighting corruption. Good governance is realistic with youth empowerment.
The pivotal role of youth of Kashmir valley who are 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. It is only through a strong system of representation that democracy work and it is only through a strong youth representation that the dynamism and vigour of a country be maintained.
It is therefore important to acknowledge the role of civil societies in empowering youth towards strengthening of the democratic system of the Jammu and Kashmir sustainable development.
The solution lies to effectively utilize modern tools in disseminating the belief among youth on their participation and representation in democracy through civil society initiatives.
Jammu and Kashmir needs them to resolve most of our problems. Currently Jammu and kashmir is facing a lot of challenges, and youth are capable of solving them. They just need to be given a chance to prove themselves. Youth have the power to unite individuals in the various ethnic groups. Racism is an ongoing issue around the world. Individuals are fighting against each other because of the complexion of their skin and the texture of their hair. Religion is another issue, the youths can convince their fellow man to live in peace and love. All of us are one and we should not allow these little differences to push us away from each other. There also a lot of crime taking place. Women are being killed by their abusive husbands. Person’s homes, businesses, are being broken into. All of this crime and violence needs to stop. The youth once more has the ability to bring about a change in the country.
Youths of Jammu and Kashmir seems to have the ability to face any issues and challenges. They have a positive influence on their fellow young people. They are able to teach them the positive things in life. The ones who are destroying their future, they tend to listen to their fellow youths. They will make them understand the importance of being a good human being.
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 organizations and other stakeholders should assist the youths; so that they can make our land a great and educated one. They will make a huge difference in society and the entire world. The youth of Kashmir valley are lifeline our nation. They will make India proud. The country will be recognized by the positive approaches of youth of Kashmir valley . They just need the support and enabling environment at family level, community level, society level, state level, national level and international level which in turn will them to perform their duties.
The role of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir 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. They have the ability to create an identity for themselves and move the nation forward. However, they will not be able to do this without the support of government of India Then the youth of Kashmir can make their beautiful land flourish and shine in success.
