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Anurag Singh Thakur
Across the globe, youngsters are making huge strides in science, sports, technology, business, politics, creativity, environmental sustainability and innovation, leveraging disruptive technology even in the face of macroeconomic shocks and geopolitical uncertainties. They are the ones with local solutions to global socio-economic problems.
No distance, difference and boundary has stopped youth globally from driving social change as well as steer Fortune 500 companies with elan.
Youth in Argentina take their football seriously, in Sweden and Nordic nations they are vocal about climate change. Indians rooted in culture and social values are spearheading startups. As stakeholders and builders of tomorrow, youthful vigour, vitality and vibrancy is unmatched. As they will inherit the future they build, it is imperative for the world to pay heed to their words and provide a meaningful platform to channelise their emotions, energy and actions.
India, home to one-sixth of humanity, is diverse, democratic and demand driven – known as the land of spirituality, sports, software, sustainability, startups and social entrepreneurship. At about 60% of total population, India’s demographic dividend is poised to usher in an era of rapid social, economic, environmental and technological innovation. Whether social media-led social causes or billion-dollar startups, India’s youth leads from the front.
Listen to their solutions
India will host the Youth 20 (Y20) Summit later this year on the sidelines of the G20
India, home to one-sixth of humanity, is diverse, democratic and demand driven – known as the land of spirituality, sports, software, sustainability, startups and social entrepreneurship
presidency – opportunity to express global youths’ vision, values and ideas to arrive at solutions that will be shared with G20 leaders. The Y20 Summit will host youth from across the world who will be heard in the world’s largest democracy by those geared to pick up the baton to the future.
The five key themes of the summit were chosen in step with a more digital, disruptive, demand-driven world. Knowledge that the marketplace will determine future skills led to the first theme –“Future of Work: Industry 4.0, Innovation & 21st Century Skills”.
Climate change, extreme weather events, shifting crop cycles, and natural disasters as witnessed by Turkey and Syria make the second theme critical – “Climate Change & Disaster Risk Reduction”, which will focus on “making sustainability a way of life”.
The land of the Buddha has taught us mindfulness and spirituality. PM Modi’s proposal of Yoga Day in his 2014 UNGA speech was supported by 177 member states – the world celebrated its first International Yoga Day on June 21, 2015. “Health, Wellbeing and Sports: Agenda for Youth” is the final critical theme.
Exchange of Ideas
About 21 foreign delegates and 200 Indians participated at the recent Y20 inception meeting in Guwahati, Assam, of students, faculty from globally renowned institutions, industry experts and government officials. Panellists included retired Gen VK Singh and retired Lt Gen Satish Dua and also two surrendered insurgents, Bipul Kalita and Binal Warry. Scientists, social entrepreneurs, sportspersons, doctors, industrialists, consulting engineers, founders, professors, were all part of the conclave. I also held a youth dialogue with all delegates at IIT Guwahati. In the run-up to the event, 10,000 youths from 36 colleges of Assam participated in seminars, debates, workshops and quiz contests.
In a complex world, ‘vasudhaiva kutumbakam’ holds special significance. Indian ethos encourages youth to look beyond personal interests to global wellbeing, united in the quest for a world more equitable, sustainable, inclusive, intergenerational, progressive and peaceful. From volunteering to activism orspreading kindness, youth can be a positive impact. It is time to go beyond aspirations towards affirmative action to attain, achieve and ascend towards New India’s shared development goals.
Every day brings opportunities for young, optimistic, upbeat, tenacious and hopeful (YOUTH) population, a rising young India. Our youth is our network to drive change and develop new ideas for Amrit Kaal.
India’s youth brings hope and harmony to a world that often feels uncertain. Our youth reinforces that with courage, consistency, commitment and cooperation,
India’s youth brings hope and harmony to a world that often feels uncertain. Our youth reinforces that with courage, consistency, commitment and cooperation, anything is possible
anything is possible. Youth will play a pivotal role in making India a developed nation by 2047 – the future of global economy and humanity lies in the hands of restless youth ready to take on the world.
Given the Russia-Ukraine war, India strongly advocates “Peace building and Reconciliation”, another theme, with sharp focus on “ushering in an era of no war”. Our army is the world’s third largest troop contributor to peacekeeping operations; around 6,700troops and police from India are at present on various UN peace keeping missions.
India’s participatory governance with political youth wings, civil society groups and digital platforms ensures young people have a say at every level that will form the fourth theme – “Shared Future: Youth in Democracy and Governance”.
(The writer is Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports)