They say that small minds discuss people, average minds discuss events, and the
great minds discuss ideas. And these ideating minds are to the country what
sunlight is to a sapling! The 1.8 billion young people fall into the category of
"ideating minds" .
They have an interesting role in building economies and nations. In the words of Herbert Hoover, "Blessed are the young, for they shall inherit the national debt." ; Such a paradox! The youth is motivated to work due to debts more than passion.However, they primarily face four issues in their endeavours; unemployment, digital illiteracy & non-connectivity, sustainable living and inequality and exclusion. The COVID-19 pandemic led to the fall of global youth employment by 8.7% in 2020 compared to 3.7% in adults. 61% have various internet issues. And only 1 out of 10 young adults possess advanced technological knowledge. Due to the take-make-waste model of our economy so far, the youth also faces a massive threat of global warming and sustainable survival.
Youth needs social safety nets, decent work and an impetus to social
entrepreneurship. Kulaku, a perfect example of youth-led social entrepreneurship from Indonesia, has supported the education of dozens of children of farmers by producing and distributing derivative coconut products. The Malawi Youth Restoration Program has provided training and jobs to more than 11000 people from 500 youth groups. An initiative towards sustainability, Icycle, an eyewear company making glasses that are 100% compostable, drew inspiration from the piles of plastic found in India. The internet has witnessed the rise of start-ups like no other. Thus it must be interoperable, inclusive, secure and easy to use. Imagine these start-ups being unicorns and making a difference. Now hold onto that dream; the youth will make it a shared vision and a reality.
Youth is a light marred by clouds of endless problems, but with innovation, it will outshine them eventually! -Dhananjay Thakur
R. A. Podar College of Commerce and Economics
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