The youth dream of a better India

India voted for a new government because it wanted change. It wanted to break away from the way things were running, and a change for a better India. So what does young India wish for this Republic Day?

It is said the prosperity of a nation depends on its women because it is the woman who spends more time with the children who are the future of the nation. What she imparts to her children will determine the quality of people the nation will have in the future. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to concentrate on better lives for women to lead the country into a better future.

India is known to be a land rich in culture and tradition. Yet we have to lower our heads in shame at the number of rape cases that come to the fore, not forgetting the many that are swept under the carpet for fear of shame and ridicule. From little babies to an 80-year-old woman, every age is vulnerable. The law takes its own time. Families are tormented and are forced to be over-protective of their daughters for fear of them being harmed. This often prevents parents from allowing their daughters to get a better education, pursue a good career and stand tall in the world. There must be a strong and powerful law against crimes against women and the criminal must be punished so as to drive home the fear among those who perpetuate such crimes and who have a demeaning mentality towards women. The girl child is killed before she can see the light of day. In today’s modern times when India boasts of foreign investment and economic progress we still have rape, honour killings, acid attacks, female foeticide and bride burning. Women are just not safe. Only when women are safe can they go out into the world to perform, succeed and win. The present atmosphere in the country is truly against the woman.

Women and girls need to be respected and with respect comes protection and freedom. Saina Nehwal, badminton champion and the first Indian to win an Olympic medal in badminton, says, “I want to see India as a nation where girls have no fear to move ahead in all spheres of life like science, technology, education, administration and sports. Poverty is the main cause of women being left behind. About 65 per cent of the population living in rural areas in India, half are women and a good percentage of girls are faced with malnutrition, personal health care problems and lack of good education. Let us move in this direction to see the future of India fast track to better opportunities for women in 5 years to come.” Backing up this statement is Shikha Gala, a Std VIII student from Bandra, Mumbai, who wants all girls in this country to enjoy freedom and be empowered to choose the careers they want to work in. She says, “Girls have many talents and they should be allowed to showcase them to the world. There should be no discrimination between girls and boys when it comes to education, jobs, opportunities or salaries.”

Opportunities and progress depend on a solid political structure. It is a well-known fact that politics is the main stumbling block of our country. The quality of politicians in our country is pathetic. Many of them are not even educated well enough to govern the county. They are mere titular heads with the IAS officers working under them. Imagine how difficult and frustrating it must be for these educated officers to work under ignorant leaders. Without proper education how can politicians think on a macro level for India’s progress and happiness? All that they can think of is conniving ways to line their own pockets when there are many larger issues of gigantic proportions to be addressed. Gunning for a better political structure is Chandan Sharma, a F.Y.B.M.M. student from Wadala, Mumbai. He wants the Election Commission to disqualify all candidates who have even a single criminal record. People should stop supporting politicians and the party based on their caste and religion. Politicians should be judged by their performance. Politicians should be held accountable to the people. They should stop building statues which cost the exchequer crores of rupees while many Indians who are deprived of the basic necessities of life still sleep under the open sky on pavements and railway stations. Karishma Mehta, a student studying industrial production design at The Brooklyn Pratt Institute, USA, wishes that India will rise above trivial politics, complications and compulsions of religions and become more global than just being Indian. Boundaries and boarders should shrink. Wellness should be the only religion and Indian government in partnerships with big corporations should focus on building happiness graphs. Respect regard for all opinions and expressions to be allowed freely. Healthy and constructive debates should be promoted for harmonious and creative solutions. Opportunities for young entrepreneurs should be created, as the youth will champion the mission of intelligent India.

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