YOUNG COUNTRY, BUT OLD LEADERS !
While Politics Engage Large Numbers Of Youth, It Does Not Serve Their Interests !
ON THE BEHALF OF THIS WHAT THE SANJAY KUMAR THOUGHTS, LETS KNOW !
Welcome to leadership Funnel, 2019, 16 October.
Sanjay Kumar,
Politicisation of people based on their social group is not new in India. With about 65% of its population below the age of 35 and with the median age of less than 29, youth is the most sought -after social group by every political party. All political parties youth as one of their key allies for election campaigns, political demonstrations, rallies, recruitment of the new members and student union elections.
The engagement of youngsters in political parties is quite visible during all the elections, rallies and protests. But the most practical question for this relationship needs to be asked: Do political parties and leaders stand for the empowerment of youth? Is it merely a 'use and throw' relationship or does it lead towards a 'win-win' situation for both?
Despite their huge presence in politics, youth do not get similar opportunities as older politicians. for many youth, active engagement with political parties does not engagement with political parties does not translate into a regular source of income whether through an elected position or through the parties. Secondly, politicians and elected representatives have the moral responsibility to fix the broken public education system and find ways to create employment opportunities for them, which they do not initiate at local level.
Thirdly, the most interesting and surprising part is that even the young political activists do not raise some of the core issues which primarily affect them and their generation, such as lack of high quality education in public-funded colleges and universities.
Now, let us try to extend these arguments. If we look at the figures of the population versus representation, we understand that the younger folks need to invest many years in politics before they can successfully enter electoral politics representing leading political parties. Thousands of youth become supporters and political aspirants in a district but only a handful get the chance to enter electoral politics due to the limited number of seats.
From panchayat level representatives to MPs, one district offers a few hundred elected seats. Although the elected governments create positions to recruit their supporters, only few of them area accommodated with some remuneration. In UP, the average age of elected MLAs is 51 years. However, out of 4,900 candidates who won the elections at a younger age also belong to political families.
The 17th Lok sabha has 12% of MPs below the age of 40 years, which is slightly better than the 16th Lok sabha which had 8% of MPs below 40. In the first Lok sabha, however, 26% of MPs were below 40. we can say that the country is growing younger, with older leaders.
Moreover, politicians are not invested in some of the core issues that affect the future of the youth within or outside politics. Political leaders and elected representatives are not seen doing enough to improve the quality of public educational institutions starting from the primary level to the tertiary level, which shape the future of youth. As kids of most politicians today go to private schools and colleges, they bother about the quality of education in public institutions.
The most surprising part is that even young political activists do not raise core issues which is primarily affect them and their generation, such as lack of high quality education in public-funded colleges and universities.
Even as heads of school or college committees, the elected representatives are unable to fix the problems of educational institutions locally. Also, most politicians are not engaged in creating employment opportunities or creating employment opportunities or enabling ecosystem at local level, which can propel either employment or entrepreneurship to engage youngsters productively.
Job creation remains merely a political issue and a matter of debate. due to lack of will and vision of the local elected representatives, many young political volunteers suffer in the long run despite being cadres and supporters.
Many youngsters also take part in university and college politics. It is very surprising to see that student unions or youth leaders do not bring up some of the core issues affecting youth today. with public-funded institutions deteriorating in many parts of the country, we do not hear them raising the issue of the quality teaching in their respective institutions. We hardly hear about any strike or demonstration around unavailability of teachers in schools and colleges.
Even Delhi university functions without regular and competent teachers, with about 5,000 lecturer positions being filled by ad hoc guest lecturers. There has been no recruitment of the regular teachers since 2019. Likewise, many central and state universities engage guest lecturers to cover the regular positions, which ultimately affect the quality of the education.
Youth should understand the dynamic, where they are being used by their political masters without concrete outcomes and a secure future. being their seniors and mentors, political leaders and parties should wisely utilise the time of youth and not engage them throughout the year at the cost of their education and career.
Youth leaders also need to act responsibility. If they are taking up leadership they should not compromise on the quality of education, a prime reason for young people to be in academic institutions. It is high time that engagement of the youth in politics be seen and treated as a means to serve utilizing the energy of the young indians.
Youth leaders should not remain just a conduit for serving the agenda of their political masters. they must command their own voice, in the interest of the youth and the nation.
That's all for today. see you next time, with another point of views.
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