Youth ought to focus on societal responsibilities

Ask not what your country can do for you,' said John F Kennedy, 'ask what YOU can do for your country.'

Over 60 per cent of India's population is less than 30 years of age. But how many Indian youth are actively involved in policy and nation-building exercises?

The answer will be too embarrassing.

How many global entrepreneurs have we created?

A country's growth vests entirely on the active participation of its youth.

Here is how the youth of India can positively contribute in making India a super power in the not too distant future.

Look at the larger picture
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a major political risk by announcing demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

Within hours of the announcement, prophets of doom predicted death of the economic boom.

When a soldier dies in the battle-field, his family suffers. The family does not blame the rest of the country for his death.

With much difficulty and emotions, they accept death with grace for he died for the country.

Is standing in a queue any bigger sacrifice than that of a soldier's family?

The youth need to stop complaining about the little sacrifices we make for the future good of the nation.

What you sow today, you reap tomorrow
Consider a ship moving in a large ocean. For the captain to turn it by even five degrees when tragedy strikes, he has to consider so many options and seek so many permissions. Each of them is time-consuming

How then can we expect the prime minister of the country to function like a magic wand?

Some of the policies he has announced in the last two years may not have reaped instant results. But in 15 years or more, there will be a positive shift.

Some policies are like the seeds sown in the soil by a young farmer. He may not be able to enjoy the fruits, but at least his children or future generation may be able to reap the benefits.

Similarly, if the youth of the country stop thinking about immediate gains all the time and instead invest in the tomorrow showing immense patience, it will lead to a brighter future.

The 3 Ps of success -- Productivity, Participation and Profitability
No country can prosper without the help of its young leaders.

Productivity, participation and profitability contribute to the overall growth and success of the country.

The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojna is a case in point.

Approximately Rs two lakh crore has been disbursed for the project, which aims to encourage first-time small entrepreneurs.

The idea behind the policy is simple and is based on the Chinese proverb--if you give fish to a hungry man, he will eat for a day; if you teach him to fish, he will eat for a lifetime.

India needs willful youngsters to come forward and avail of such schemes.

We need many micro entrepreneurs and leaders in villages who can set up their businesses and thus create more jobs.

Make In India
All those who believe that America is a superpower because of its IT penetration, are grossly mistaken. America is a manufacturing superpower.

There is nothing the country doesn't manufacture-steel, cement, fabrics, dairy products, guns, tanks, aircrafts-name them and they have it.

In the last few decades, we have overlooked China’s potential and always classified it as a small country; but do you know its manufacturing power?

If you look at India, our youngsters are still busy and happy going for the low-hanging fruits in business -- they launch an app, an e-commerce store, write programmes and are happy with the money they make, which are peanuts on a global scale.

Yes, manufacturing involves a lot of risk, and requires effort, so what? Why are we not looking at the blue-collared jobs and the opportunities around it?

With so much of talent, why is it that we cannot make our own Google, Facebook or Twitter? Indians are happy when a fellow-countryman heads such entities.

It is time youth rethink their career options and take that first big leap forward. After all, Greater risk=Greater reward!

Motivation and perception
Great disasters create leaders. In the case of India, we always come with abundance of doubt and skepticism.

Even before a policy is announced, we try to find faults in it. For heaven's sake, everyone cannot be a chor.

Your own folks may be working as teachers, banking professionals, in government institutions and defence forces. Think about them. Are they all thieves?

There may be some good people. You have to learn to trust more people.

For example, if a certain leader or boss in your organisation has done eight out of 10 things right, give the individual due credit.

Instead of mocking at the wrongs, change your perception and look at the brighter side of things. The youth must come forward and spread positivity when the atmosphere surcharged and volatile.

Even in times of crisis, we have to stick around like a family, acknowledge our setbacks and get moving forward as a team. Remember, united we stand, divided we fall.

Stand Up India
A larger number of students visit rural areas as part of their academic internships, during which time they get a feel of empowerment. This should continue without any incentive and come straight-from-the-heart.

There are so many government schemes, policies and opportunities available for the less privileged. Alas, they are not aware of them.

If each young member makes a team and adopts a village, there is so much hope for us.

This team can visit the village to keep abreast of ground-realities in the interiors. They can make a presentation on the different rights they can avail of and educate them on how to access them.

Stop following the herd
Indian parents want their kids to become engineers and doctors, but we don't want them to take risks, explore new avenues.

One-third of India's economy is agrarian, why hasn't anyone thought of aggregating the farmers.

Suppose you have a small acre of land, your neighbours have one acre each; why not aggregate them and distribute costs and profits?

If we want to move ahead, there has to be transparency and indigenous leadership at all levels.

China's success is a brilliant example of thriving blue-collar economy. The youth needs to stop copying and begin taking risks.

Self imposition
If any of you have travelled to Europe or a foreign nation for a few days, you'll understand this point.

We appreciate that abroad, the roads are clean and the system is well managed. Have you ever wondered why?

The same people who shamelessly spit and litter in India will behave themselves when they are in a foreign land. This is because one will be penalized for causing public nuisance.

In India, there is no self-discipline.
The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan requires two hands to function.

We cannot expect Modi to come and clean our housing society.

It is our collective responsibility and you have to ensure that your home and surroundings are clean and hygienic.

With inputs from rediff.com