International Youth Day Special
“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future” – Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Celebrated every year on 12th August, International Youth Day recognizes the efforts as well as the contribution of youth to universal issues. Additionally, it also highlights various challenges faced by the young population. In today’s age and time, the role of youth has become very crucial, especially in the social, cultural, and political spectrum. Their active participation is of utmost importance when it comes to the betterment of any society.
This year’s International Youth Day’s theme is “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human”. This subject matter aims to engage the power of youth into building up sustainable ways of making food available to everyone. With 67.27% of people falling under the category of “Youth”, India harbors the biggest young population in the world. For the year 2021, India has been ranked 122nd on Global Youth Development Index (GYDI). With 14% Indian population being undernourished, the need of the hour is to channelize this young force into sustainable development. Categorically, there is a big scope of youth participation in the eradication of hunger in our country.
How do we, as young people of this country achieve it? Let’s have a look –
Active Volunteering in Programmes
Youth of this country, must be encouraged to do volunteering for organizations that are operating to eradicate hunger. One such organization is Wishes and Blessings NGO. The organization had launched ‘WB Daily Meals Programme‘, under which, hot and nutritious meals are provided 3 times, every day to the underprivileged and destitute people across 4 states in India. Their volunteering wing, Squad for Change accepts volunteers for this cause amongst the others, throughout the year.
Each One, Feed One
It is not at all difficult to feed hungry people around one’s vicinity, all it needs is an open heart. India produces tons of domestic waste every day, and most of it is – food! As young people, it is our responsibility to eat within limits, and if in case excessive food is produced, it should be our moral duty to share it with someone who might sleep empty stomach otherwise!
Garden Farming
As young people, it is our responsibility to think of ways in which the saddle of hunger gets lifted from our nation. One such method is by encouraging garden farming. If each household grows small vegetables or fruits like tomatoes, chilies, pomegranate, etc. in their available spaces, there will be a decline in demand for land for cultivating such food items, eventually.
These are few methods that anyone at an individual level can begin with, to make big changes in the future. All it needs is a will and a heart! Happy International Youth Day again!
“Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached.” – Swami Vivekananda
About the Author
Khushaal Sharma is a Content Creator at Wishes and Blessings. He loves to make YouTube videos, write blogs and spend time with dogs. He firmly believes that endings always lead to new beginnings.