India is an ancient civilization, but a young nation. With an average age of 29 years, it has one of the youngest populations worldwide. If provided with ample opportunities and required nourishment, the 229 million-strong young force of India can easily create a “demographic dividend”, which the United Nations define as economic growth from a shift in population’s structure. In order to value the youth of the country and to uplift their spirit, the Government of India declared the birth anniversary of one of the greatest philosophers and spiritual leaders of India, Swami Vivekananda as the day dedicated to the youth in 1984. Ever since, the National Youth Day is celebrated on the 12th of January, every year. To mark the Youth Day of India, special functions are held in educational institutions, corporate and government offices.
Importance of the Youth
The youth is a dynamic and significant section of the population of a country. Research suggests that developing nations that harbour maximum young population tend to have exponential growth provided the government and private firms invest in their health, education and training. In today’s age and time, India is one of the youngest populations in the world with 62% of individuals coming under the working demographic and 54% being below 25 years of age. This is both an asset and potential when it comes to development parameters.
The Challenges Ahead
Despite being the world’s largest democracy, and one of the youngest populations, India is still lagging behind in terms of social-economic inequalities which are deep-rooted in our society in forms of malnutrition, illiteracy, violence, gender discrimination, digital divide, etc. If we look at World Index Charts for Happiness, Hunger and Literacy, India still has a long way to go to meet the ends. Furthermore, the vicious cycles of poverty and remorselessness are a few of the biggest challenges that need urgent attention.
How to celebrate National Youth Day in its true essence.
Swami Vivekananda believed that the youth of this country has immense potential to change the destiny of India. Although there exists a plethora of government schemes and programmes for youth upliftment, there is still a need of making the demographic actually benefit from these projects. The central educational board, CBSE has already notified educational institutions to mandatorily commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s Day. Let’s have a look at how this time around, we can celebrate this National day in an impactful manner.
1. Spread Awareness
No positive action has ever been taken in absence of an ample amount of awareness. In the same vein, one has to spread awareness for the implementation of youth-centric projects and schemes. This can be done through various channels at individual levels – street plays, dance forms, music acts, etc. This creates a ripple effect and thus, more and more young minds are awakened. Only the youth can attract more youth into the development sphere, hence initiatives have to be youth-led.
2. Facilitate Education
Various non-profit organizations execute education sponsorship programmes that help in giving young minds, wings to fly and make their dreams come true. One can always support these initiatives. The Delhi-based NGO, Wishes and Blessings executes Sponsor A Childhood Programme under which the NGO sponsors the education of the underprivileged children with the help of their donors and supporters. One can always be a part of this good deed. Furthermore, peer teaching is another method by which an individual can make knowledge and primordial education available to the lesser blessed.
3. Volunteer
One can also choose to volunteer and devote their valuable time to youth-centric programmes. Most volunteering projects are youth-led, hence the youthful environment makes the process of bringing about positive change, a viable process. Wishes and Blessings executes various such initiatives through their volunteering wing, Squad For Change.
Providing proper nutrition support, the best health care and supreme educational resources is a collective responsibility of ours as a progressive society. We all should come forward and do our bit to bring about positive change in our society.
“We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live, they travel far” – Swami Vivekananda.
About the Author
Khushaal Sharma, also known as Ken Maraj on the internet, is a Content Creator at Wishes and Blessings. He has done his Bachelor’s in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University. He has also done a Diploma Course in French Language and Culture from New Delhi YMCA, Delhi. Khushaal is passionate about writing thought-provoking blogs and creating travel-based videos. He firmly believes that endings lead to new beginnings.