Youth: ‘Change our World’

Today, the International Youth Day is being celebrated throughout the world under the theme ‘Change our World’.
Several exclusive events, programmes, forums, seminars and activities focusing on the theme are being organised in the country also, which reflect the thoughts of youth in the whole world in general and in the third world countries in particular.
History demonstrates that it is the youth groups that create changes in the stagnant path of societies. Political analyses show it is always the youth that spur revolutions and redirect the future course of action of nations. Experience tells us that it is always the youth that purge the social order of evils. Intellectuals and scholars claim it is always the youth that can infuse a new spirit into the veins of a dying society, and, above all, my optimistic heart brims with confidence that it is the youth that can eradicate the unremitting corruption in my society.
Fortunately, in our country, we have a comparatively high ratio of younger population and this very fact can prove to be a blessing in disguise, if we can be confident in blossoming out successors.
Our younger generation is a breath of fresh air and has nothing impossible in their minds, except proper organisation. The youth have to become a part of politics to facilitate the reconstruction of a better society and a state. The main reasons of our youth’s disinclination to contribute in the socio-political progress of the society are lack of financial support, lack of family support and the pernicious reputation of the political set-up.
Let us have a glance at the first factor. The youth, interested in joining politics, don’t have enough money to sustain themselves in this arena. They can’t muster enough resources to sustain and run their party. The family support also plays a great role. The family members restrict the youth from entering politics because of ill consequences and lack of security. The poor reputation of politicians acts as a deterrent to new aspirants, who don’t want to indulge, lest they will be branded to be of ‘bad character’.
Many other reasons prevent the youth from entering the field of nation building. Here, I must opine that the combined model of both experienced minds and the blooming flowers will make a good show as old technocrats are also required to train the youth.
If we take a look upon our prevalent culture, especially the one related to government machinery, we have a flood of educated and talented young lot around us, possessing optimistic visions and dreams. They never crave to become evil or corrupt in their practical life, but it is always that crooked head clerk or superintendent that teaches them the art of corruption, the deformed concept of practical evil and virtue.
These misguiding personalities, usually called ‘Haji Sahib’ with grey beards, are dressed in white shalwar-kameez and a black waistcoat, and can be found in any government office, courts, universities and corporations. Look at the young CSPs who embark on a voyage of honesty and welfare of their nation and country, but end up on the island of corruption and sheer despair.
Because again that old, crooked Haji Sahibs, the so-called experienced and seasoned figures, are guiding the ship of our official machinery.
Ralph Waldo Emerson says: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are simple matters compared to what lies within us!”
It is the youth that must remain focused as they are the first and the foremost priority and the most durable and long-lasting asset for any state. Youth is power, it is energy, it is a volcano, it is a nuclear reactor and, above all, it is the spark that can be tamed otherwise it will become a wildfire.
The recent history is tarnished with episodes protests, violence, hooliganism, riots and anti-government campaigns by angry youngsters. It is substantive evidence that proves the fact that youth, if neglected, ignored and not utilised for constructive purposes by nations, can turn into the most deadly and fatal enemies of their own societies.
The present era is very critical and decisive, as unemployment, injustice and devouring economics have caused the youth, on the whole, to be frustrated. The recent unexpected and embarrassing incidents of anarchy and vandalism in the streets of a civilised and developed nation like England are an eye-opener for the whole global community.
Francis Bacon says: “Young men are fitter to invent than to judge; fitter for execution than for counsel; and fitter for new projects than for settled business.”
So, if our youth are united and well-organised, start depending on their own and shun the conventional evils, our society is bound to prosper and emerge as a promising and progressive society. I must emphasise on the point that our youth must participate in politics, journalism, social community development, public welfare and, above all, social awareness by arranging public forums and meetings, as this is the path that can lead us towards a corruption-free society.
Only the youth have power to drag the nation out of this quagmire of corruption and moral degradation like Bulleh Shah says in his poetry, “Agli ton na pishli ton, sadqey jaawan wichli ton.” (Not for childhood phase or the old age, but I will sacrifice everything for the stage of youth).
The writer is an educationist and a student counsellor. He can be reached at muttahir_khan@hotmail.com