Proud to be happy and gay
Mon, Jun 29 02:50 PM
25-year-old Amrit (who goes by his first name), a city-based fashion editor, had been waiting for Sunday to celebrate who he was. Clad in body-hugging yellow tee shirt and cream trousers, golden/pink sparklers glowing on his face, the waif-thin Amrit held a 1 foot by 1 foot placard - "Queer and loving it" - and blew kisses at his male "friend".
With a pair of translucent, sky blue butterfly wings hugging his back, and a paper flag displaying the "rainbow colours" bobbing out of his shirt's pocket, Amrit was among the hundreds of others who had gathered at the Barakhambha Road-Tolstoy Road junction Sunday evening to participate in the Delhi Queer Pride '09 parade. The "gay" parade, an annual event organized by a coalition of countrywide gay rights organisations including the Humsafar Trust and the Naz , was held to demand the abolition of the article 377 of the Indian Penal Code that awarded a 10-year jail-term to those indulging in oral/anal sex.
"We, who belong to the LGBTI (lesbians, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) community are treated like criminals, subjected to violence rape/blackmail by the intolerant bullies including the police," said Amrit in his clipped English. Moments later, at 5.30 pm, the parade's organizers indicated to the participants that the 800-metre "march" to Jantar Mantar would begin.
Their polite instructions were lost to the revellers who had packed the road stretch and intent on some serious revelry: women and men - the upper-half of their faces covered partially by flamboyant masks, their bodies clad in their tee shirts and jeans -blew into their red soccer ball-shaped whistles, shouted "Article 377, quit India" and swayed to a Bollywood number as the members of the Asha Musical brass band played on. Amrit said he discovered his preference for "boys" when he was a "13-year-old".
Sameet Arora (name changed), a 38-year-old Indian Institute of Management graduate now working in an MNC as "finance manager", came from Mumbai to walk the walk but had kept a little aloof from the rest. He wore a blue mask, but unlike the others, he was clothed in the less cheery colours - black jeans, grey shirt.
Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/32/20090629/1053/tnl-proud-to-be-happy-and-gay.html
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Discussion about India and contemporary youth culture
My ongoing discussion with Linkesh a.k.a Swift Arrow (Another Indian Youth) :
Wed, Jun 24, 2009 at 1:38 PM, kaustav sen wrote:
Dear Linkesh,
Thanks for your detailed mail in spite of the fact tht u don’t have a system at home.
I am sorry for the delayed reply cause of my pre packed schedule.
While talking about the Indian culture customs values and etiquettes I think you have forgotten a very prime one being taught at the core of all Indian family…
That the elders should not be called by names ;)
and when the elder is a teacher then the rule becomes further strict…
Don’t worry, was joking.
Yes some of the customs and culture always needs a re evaluation and evolution…
at NIFT, NID or any design institute we encourage the students to call the professors by name…cause that makes the bonding much easier (hence the transformation of knowledge becomes easy) …though at our sashtra it states tht the guru should be respected as guru in certain ways and norms…
Today very few youth touches feet...I think tht should be kept in an individual, to decide how he / she will show gratitude...even before touching feet thr was a rule of "sasthang pranama" means showing gratitude by laying down at feet...those are no more needed cause now a days the "gyan" or wisdom is not restricted to one person (the pandit / guru/ king) but to all...and through net gyan is further open to spread and accept...and moreover, today we are the largest democratic country, hence we don’t need to touch ones feet to show gratitude...if one feels so, tht should be very natural...should be with absolute respect...and if today the teenagers are not touching feet tht means the elders are not able to keep tht respect (not through rule but through wisdom)...its not the fault of the youth but the earlier generation.
Same go’s to the cast system we had earlier…and currently we are re-evaluating it and trying to understand whether its at all needed to be followed or not…
To me, the customs, believes and values should be re evaluated (and questioned) in each era as per the passing time and zeitgeists…
The way we looked at our leaders / politicians during the freedom movement is being changed along with the time…now ppl says khadi and khaki destroyed our country…
Through the pictures in the header I want to show a picture of progressing India. The "cool Indians" what you are seeing at header are either the students from IIT, IIM, NIFT, NID or the successful professionals at their very early age…the attitude they r showing is important to me cause tht shows they are confident of whatever they r doing (not feeling shy and confidence-less thinking “oh, am I looking a good boy…or oh what my parents will think…”)..and u should agree that these students are the one who not only comes from rich families (actually most of the IITans are from middle class) but also from the interiors of India. I respect all of them for what they have achieved….
its a foul cry to just think of the darkness of the country rather than understanding the brighter side of it.
If you go further in my blog you will find the details of Sarath (http://ingene.blogspot.com/2009/04/indian-youth-and-politics_23.html ) who’s mom worked as maid servant in various homes to get him into IIM and today he is the successful entrepreneur (recently coming in politics... I welcome his initiative).
I respect him for what he is…and all of them who achieved it rather than keep crying of what they don’t have.
Again you will find the news of a fisherman’s son earning the highest rank in board exam ( http://ingene.blogspot.com/2009/05/academics-and-career-are-most-important.html )…they are the real Bharatiyas.
The trend I was talking is a lifestyle trend which starts with the priority class (the Inglodians) and the lifestyle need not be always adopted. Again, a lifestyle depends on the surroundings. You have cited example of International school. The incidents what you have cited are very common in various other institutions in our country and abroad (I have seen it in Australia, USA, UK and yes France)…only whether you are adopting it or not is your decision…if “they” are comfortable with it and is not harming the others we have nothing to say. The freedom should be absolute…
The values what you are talking are the values being taught to you. But if you go through veda’s you will find the eternal values were very different…the moulding happened during the era of bramhins who wanted to control the society through the religious and custom grip…and hence moulded the cast system (earlier the cast system was only a job division)
You can read my note to Ted Polhemus at : http://www.worldstylefile.com/1/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=47
Meanwhile if you are interested to know more about Indian youth you can read my articles published in The Hindu: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/catalyst/2008/12/11/stories/2008121150070300.htm
Best regards,
Kaustav
--- On Tue, 6/23/09, Swift Arrow wrote:
Dear Kaustav,
Thanks for your reply.
Re, My Created Identity: My name is Linkesh Diwan. I'm a student of engineering in Kerala. Yes I don't like false identities either. However, the name Swift Arrow is very dear to me, as it was given to me by a very old (now deceased) friend. So it's not exactly a "Created Identity" in that I didn't make it myself. And I don't hide behind it, it's just another name for me. :)
You are right in that I did not go deeply into the blog's contents. For this there are primarily three reasons:
1. I saw the pictures in the header and judged the blog by it's cover. However, i'm not apologetic about this, as I think that your header pictures are woefully myopic in that they only present one part of "cool Indians". Personally, and I know that I'm not alone, I do NOT think that being cool involves breaking all cultural norms and norms of decency (this is with specific reference to those guys showing the finger). Personally, those two guys tell me "reactionary" which, while such attitudes are commonly associated with being cool, is really just being rebellious. It speaks (psychologically speaking) of a lack of will to understand sensibilities and a paucity of respect for decency.
2. I did start to read your blog, but found the visual layout a little untraditional and somewhat confusing. For starters, there was no very clear demarcation between different entries, though I understood where one ended and another started by the content. I also didn't find the titles of different blog entries. Conventionally, (and you I'm sure already know this) each entry on a blog starts with it's title, in a noticeable header, with a link to a page containing only that post. I wasn't able to find that link, so was confused.
3. I'm at a cafe, not at home where I have unlimited access, and so am trying to be as speedy as possible. My apologies for not giving your blog a more in-depth assessment before passing judgment.
Now in response to your email. Disclaimer: I have not met you, so all that I say about "you" below is actually a generalization on the richer upper-class young Indian. Please bear with :)
I also do not subscribe to the "India needs sympathy and big help" theories and views out there. India really needs, as you rightly say, confidence in herself.
But I would like to question whether being a confident Indian means that we drink Coke, watch movies, adopt foreign dress and mannerisms, adhere to foreign values, and be rash, unbridled, youth!
Now, put in this light, I know that you will say "no". Here may I ask you: Would'nt you rather wear the newest Nike shoes? Dont tell me that you don't like Eminem, U2, and others. Why buy a Nimbu Paani when you can get Pepsi, Coke, or even better, Mountain Dew? Why should we touch our parent's feet before leaving the house - it's old-fashioned, and silly! Let's find our girlfriends and go to a party, drink, smoke, and have a "good time".
As you can see, the above paragraph (in a drastic sense) outlines the lives of your "Inglodians", who, as you yourself point out, everyone looks up to. But is such a progression good for India?
Another thing, about being on par with global peers:
I have a friend who went to an international school for her 11th and 12th. This school is supposed to foster an International "Culture." While the culture of acceptance and opportunities for everyone that the world admires in the USA WAS encouraged there, there was much more: In her hostels, boys and girls were allowed to mix freely, wearing as much or as little as they wanted, and doing whatever they felt. This included having sex. My friend's roommate’s boyfriend practically lived in her room. In their yearbook, my friend showed me pictures of her classmates: one guy was completely naked save for a plaster of Paris cast around his penis. He was in the process of creating a mould of it. I later on met some of her classmates, and found them to be very nice people, agreed, but they had no stops on them. They undressed as and when they felt like (including one girl baring her self while walking down the hallway in an ashram - this I personally witnessed) and generally behaved in a very offending way. These kids, in their two years of international school in INDIA, learned NOTHING about sensibilities to other peoples culture. They had no idea that they should conduct themselves in a decorous manner. Their attitude, which an Indian international school had taught them, was that everyone can do whatever they want, and no-one has right to question that or be offended. This is not International Culture. I lived 12 years in the USA, I should know. Even Americans would take offence at such behaviour. This is an absurd banality, an absolute negation of all culture whatsoever.
A real international culture would inculcate children with such manners that they would offend no-one, no matter what culture they happened to visit!
And while India and Inglodians march towards such types of cultureless-ness, spending money, wasting energy, and behaving in a generally irresponsible way, 80% of the world's people live on less than $10 per day (A statistic I found somewhere on the World Health Commission's website). That means out of 10 randomly selected people in the world, EIGHT of them are hungry at ANY given time. Please figure out how the Inglodian's way of life helps those people.
Of course, there is a good side too: Inglodians will of course have a more open mindset, they will be willing and able to discuss tacky issues, they will be able to jump at opportunities, adopt themselves, and will have the broadness of mind to accept that others can advance in society.
How many Inglodians have domestic help at their homes? How many of them take the time to ensure that the children of their domestic help get good food, education, and a chance at life?
I realize that my email is somewhat of a rant, however these are valid points that must be considered. I'm sure that some things I've said, while I have not intended to, may raise people's ire.
But let everyone honestly examine themselves. The bigger picture is a lot bigger than Inglodians whom everyone follows. In-fact, not everyone follows Inglodians.
Inglodians themselves, for the most part, follow the ideas that they receive from TV. If TV had always held Indian tradition to be cherished, and showed a more traditional way of life, India would be very different, would it not?
I notice that you are a professor in Fashion and Lifestyle Accessories. I guess that I may be striking at the root of your beliefs, please do not be offended. Personally, and I am not alone in this, I find today’s fashion too predicated on the assumption that everyone must be sexually attractive. Also, our lifestyle accessories (phones, ipods, gadetry, nice shoes, cool bags, dyed hair, spikes, chains, etc) really have no relation to the huge number of people who are hungry today.
Anyhow, Enough. I must put the brakes on somewhere!
As a student, to a professor, my regards.
I look forward to your reply,
Link
PS, I did benefit from your blog in learning about the young MP. Thanks!
On Tue, Jun 23, 2009 at 9:39 AM, kaustav sen wrote:
Dear swift,
Thanks for your mail.
This blog is intended to research the socio-cultural trend among Indian youth, and I have clearly divided them into three categories: Inglodians, Indians and Bharatiyas( you can read the detail explanations in the blog)...
I think you have not gone through the whole blog posts, otherwise you would have found that the blog also presented on the academic passion of all social classes of India...the amazing skills of street youth...the family values and the level of happiness...
It's not a site to generate sympathy/ sensitize the world about "how DARK India is...and how badly the bharatiya youth r treated...bla bla"...when a trend is to be understood we generally follow the "innovators" or a group of youth who initiates a trend. and the rest follows...in my blog they r known as "Inglodians".
Through this blog I want to show that Indian youth are at per their global peers....the worst part among us are that we are not CONFIDENT about our own ability...and hence we keep crying.
and ya, please write with your own name, instead of hiding behind "created identity"....I hate it and it shows the lack of confidence. Again.
best regards,
Kaustav
--- On Mon, 6/22/09, Swift Arrow wrote:
Hey Kaustav,
I stumbled across your blog. Nice Initiative.
My first thought when I examined those pictures was: What about the 66% of Indian Youth that don't feed themselves every day?
You've got cool guys giving the finger, Dancers with Mobile Phones, Well fed people playing holi, boys and girls acting "cool" together. Do you know that you are representing only about 10% of Indian youth in that ensemble? and that 66% of Indians (Including youth) do not have access to a proper toilet? (According to a statistic given in the Hindu Newspaper)?
Please, at least acknowledge the majority of Indian youth, who far from being concerned with the latest gadgets and bands, are looking for something to feed themselves.
Looking forward to discussing this further,
Swift Arrow,
Another Indian Youth
Wed, Jun 24, 2009 at 1:38 PM, kaustav sen
Dear Linkesh,
Thanks for your detailed mail in spite of the fact tht u don’t have a system at home.
I am sorry for the delayed reply cause of my pre packed schedule.
While talking about the Indian culture customs values and etiquettes I think you have forgotten a very prime one being taught at the core of all Indian family…
That the elders should not be called by names ;)
and when the elder is a teacher then the rule becomes further strict…
Don’t worry, was joking.
Yes some of the customs and culture always needs a re evaluation and evolution…
at NIFT, NID or any design institute we encourage the students to call the professors by name…cause that makes the bonding much easier (hence the transformation of knowledge becomes easy) …though at our sashtra it states tht the guru should be respected as guru in certain ways and norms…
Today very few youth touches feet...I think tht should be kept in an individual, to decide how he / she will show gratitude...even before touching feet thr was a rule of "sasthang pranama" means showing gratitude by laying down at feet...those are no more needed cause now a days the "gyan" or wisdom is not restricted to one person (the pandit / guru/ king) but to all...and through net gyan is further open to spread and accept...and moreover, today we are the largest democratic country, hence we don’t need to touch ones feet to show gratitude...if one feels so, tht should be very natural...should be with absolute respect...and if today the teenagers are not touching feet tht means the elders are not able to keep tht respect (not through rule but through wisdom)...its not the fault of the youth but the earlier generation.
Same go’s to the cast system we had earlier…and currently we are re-evaluating it and trying to understand whether its at all needed to be followed or not…
To me, the customs, believes and values should be re evaluated (and questioned) in each era as per the passing time and zeitgeists…
The way we looked at our leaders / politicians during the freedom movement is being changed along with the time…now ppl says khadi and khaki destroyed our country…
Through the pictures in the header I want to show a picture of progressing India. The "cool Indians" what you are seeing at header are either the students from IIT, IIM, NIFT, NID or the successful professionals at their very early age…the attitude they r showing is important to me cause tht shows they are confident of whatever they r doing (not feeling shy and confidence-less thinking “oh, am I looking a good boy…or oh what my parents will think…”)..and u should agree that these students are the one who not only comes from rich families (actually most of the IITans are from middle class) but also from the interiors of India. I respect all of them for what they have achieved….
its a foul cry to just think of the darkness of the country rather than understanding the brighter side of it.
If you go further in my blog you will find the details of Sarath (http://ingene.blogspot.com/2009/04/indian-youth-and-politics_23.html ) who’s mom worked as maid servant in various homes to get him into IIM and today he is the successful entrepreneur (recently coming in politics... I welcome his initiative).
I respect him for what he is…and all of them who achieved it rather than keep crying of what they don’t have.
Again you will find the news of a fisherman’s son earning the highest rank in board exam ( http://ingene.blogspot.com/2009/05/academics-and-career-are-most-important.html )…they are the real Bharatiyas.
The trend I was talking is a lifestyle trend which starts with the priority class (the Inglodians) and the lifestyle need not be always adopted. Again, a lifestyle depends on the surroundings. You have cited example of International school. The incidents what you have cited are very common in various other institutions in our country and abroad (I have seen it in Australia, USA, UK and yes France)…only whether you are adopting it or not is your decision…if “they” are comfortable with it and is not harming the others we have nothing to say. The freedom should be absolute…
The values what you are talking are the values being taught to you. But if you go through veda’s you will find the eternal values were very different…the moulding happened during the era of bramhins who wanted to control the society through the religious and custom grip…and hence moulded the cast system (earlier the cast system was only a job division)
You can read my note to Ted Polhemus at : http://www.worldstylefile.com/1/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=47
Meanwhile if you are interested to know more about Indian youth you can read my articles published in The Hindu: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/catalyst/2008/12/11/stories/2008121150070300.htm
Best regards,
Kaustav
--- On Tue, 6/23/09, Swift Arrow
Dear Kaustav,
Thanks for your reply.
Re, My Created Identity: My name is Linkesh Diwan. I'm a student of engineering in Kerala. Yes I don't like false identities either. However, the name Swift Arrow is very dear to me, as it was given to me by a very old (now deceased) friend. So it's not exactly a "Created Identity" in that I didn't make it myself. And I don't hide behind it, it's just another name for me. :)
You are right in that I did not go deeply into the blog's contents. For this there are primarily three reasons:
1. I saw the pictures in the header and judged the blog by it's cover. However, i'm not apologetic about this, as I think that your header pictures are woefully myopic in that they only present one part of "cool Indians". Personally, and I know that I'm not alone, I do NOT think that being cool involves breaking all cultural norms and norms of decency (this is with specific reference to those guys showing the finger). Personally, those two guys tell me "reactionary" which, while such attitudes are commonly associated with being cool, is really just being rebellious. It speaks (psychologically speaking) of a lack of will to understand sensibilities and a paucity of respect for decency.
2. I did start to read your blog, but found the visual layout a little untraditional and somewhat confusing. For starters, there was no very clear demarcation between different entries, though I understood where one ended and another started by the content. I also didn't find the titles of different blog entries. Conventionally, (and you I'm sure already know this) each entry on a blog starts with it's title, in a noticeable header, with a link to a page containing only that post. I wasn't able to find that link, so was confused.
3. I'm at a cafe, not at home where I have unlimited access, and so am trying to be as speedy as possible. My apologies for not giving your blog a more in-depth assessment before passing judgment.
Now in response to your email. Disclaimer: I have not met you, so all that I say about "you" below is actually a generalization on the richer upper-class young Indian. Please bear with :)
I also do not subscribe to the "India needs sympathy and big help" theories and views out there. India really needs, as you rightly say, confidence in herself.
But I would like to question whether being a confident Indian means that we drink Coke, watch movies, adopt foreign dress and mannerisms, adhere to foreign values, and be rash, unbridled, youth!
Now, put in this light, I know that you will say "no". Here may I ask you: Would'nt you rather wear the newest Nike shoes? Dont tell me that you don't like Eminem, U2, and others. Why buy a Nimbu Paani when you can get Pepsi, Coke, or even better, Mountain Dew? Why should we touch our parent's feet before leaving the house - it's old-fashioned, and silly! Let's find our girlfriends and go to a party, drink, smoke, and have a "good time".
As you can see, the above paragraph (in a drastic sense) outlines the lives of your "Inglodians", who, as you yourself point out, everyone looks up to. But is such a progression good for India?
Another thing, about being on par with global peers:
I have a friend who went to an international school for her 11th and 12th. This school is supposed to foster an International "Culture." While the culture of acceptance and opportunities for everyone that the world admires in the USA WAS encouraged there, there was much more: In her hostels, boys and girls were allowed to mix freely, wearing as much or as little as they wanted, and doing whatever they felt. This included having sex. My friend's roommate’s boyfriend practically lived in her room. In their yearbook, my friend showed me pictures of her classmates: one guy was completely naked save for a plaster of Paris cast around his penis. He was in the process of creating a mould of it. I later on met some of her classmates, and found them to be very nice people, agreed, but they had no stops on them. They undressed as and when they felt like (including one girl baring her self while walking down the hallway in an ashram - this I personally witnessed) and generally behaved in a very offending way. These kids, in their two years of international school in INDIA, learned NOTHING about sensibilities to other peoples culture. They had no idea that they should conduct themselves in a decorous manner. Their attitude, which an Indian international school had taught them, was that everyone can do whatever they want, and no-one has right to question that or be offended. This is not International Culture. I lived 12 years in the USA, I should know. Even Americans would take offence at such behaviour. This is an absurd banality, an absolute negation of all culture whatsoever.
A real international culture would inculcate children with such manners that they would offend no-one, no matter what culture they happened to visit!
And while India and Inglodians march towards such types of cultureless-ness, spending money, wasting energy, and behaving in a generally irresponsible way, 80% of the world's people live on less than $10 per day (A statistic I found somewhere on the World Health Commission's website). That means out of 10 randomly selected people in the world, EIGHT of them are hungry at ANY given time. Please figure out how the Inglodian's way of life helps those people.
Of course, there is a good side too: Inglodians will of course have a more open mindset, they will be willing and able to discuss tacky issues, they will be able to jump at opportunities, adopt themselves, and will have the broadness of mind to accept that others can advance in society.
How many Inglodians have domestic help at their homes? How many of them take the time to ensure that the children of their domestic help get good food, education, and a chance at life?
I realize that my email is somewhat of a rant, however these are valid points that must be considered. I'm sure that some things I've said, while I have not intended to, may raise people's ire.
But let everyone honestly examine themselves. The bigger picture is a lot bigger than Inglodians whom everyone follows. In-fact, not everyone follows Inglodians.
Inglodians themselves, for the most part, follow the ideas that they receive from TV. If TV had always held Indian tradition to be cherished, and showed a more traditional way of life, India would be very different, would it not?
I notice that you are a professor in Fashion and Lifestyle Accessories. I guess that I may be striking at the root of your beliefs, please do not be offended. Personally, and I am not alone in this, I find today’s fashion too predicated on the assumption that everyone must be sexually attractive. Also, our lifestyle accessories (phones, ipods, gadetry, nice shoes, cool bags, dyed hair, spikes, chains, etc) really have no relation to the huge number of people who are hungry today.
Anyhow, Enough. I must put the brakes on somewhere!
As a student, to a professor, my regards.
I look forward to your reply,
Link
PS, I did benefit from your blog in learning about the young MP. Thanks!
On Tue, Jun 23, 2009 at 9:39 AM, kaustav sen
Dear swift,
Thanks for your mail.
This blog is intended to research the socio-cultural trend among Indian youth, and I have clearly divided them into three categories: Inglodians, Indians and Bharatiyas( you can read the detail explanations in the blog)...
I think you have not gone through the whole blog posts, otherwise you would have found that the blog also presented on the academic passion of all social classes of India...the amazing skills of street youth...the family values and the level of happiness...
It's not a site to generate sympathy/ sensitize the world about "how DARK India is...and how badly the bharatiya youth r treated...bla bla"...when a trend is to be understood we generally follow the "innovators" or a group of youth who initiates a trend. and the rest follows...in my blog they r known as "Inglodians".
Through this blog I want to show that Indian youth are at per their global peers....the worst part among us are that we are not CONFIDENT about our own ability...and hence we keep crying.
and ya, please write with your own name, instead of hiding behind "created identity"....I hate it and it shows the lack of confidence. Again.
best regards,
Kaustav
--- On Mon, 6/22/09, Swift Arrow
Hey Kaustav,
I stumbled across your blog. Nice Initiative.
My first thought when I examined those pictures was: What about the 66% of Indian Youth that don't feed themselves every day?
You've got cool guys giving the finger, Dancers with Mobile Phones, Well fed people playing holi, boys and girls acting "cool" together. Do you know that you are representing only about 10% of Indian youth in that ensemble? and that 66% of Indians (Including youth) do not have access to a proper toilet? (According to a statistic given in the Hindu Newspaper)?
Please, at least acknowledge the majority of Indian youth, who far from being concerned with the latest gadgets and bands, are looking for something to feed themselves.
Looking forward to discussing this further,
Swift Arrow,
Another Indian Youth
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
young women in India and their socio-psychology
Source: Marie Claire, India - June 2009
Source: The Hindu, Metro Plus- June 23, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
socio-psychological trends among Indian youth
Source: Times of India. 5/7/09
Source: Marie Claire, India- June 2009
Source: The Hindu-Nxg
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harnessing Indian youth power
25 May 2009, 0434 hrs IST, Rajesh Shukla,
Youth power is believed to be one of the most important assets for economic growth. This becomes even more significant when viewed in the context of a fast ageing population in the developed nations. Consider this: in 2020, an average Indian is expected to be only 29 years old against 37 years in China and the US, 45 years in West Europe and 48 years in Japan. This is the “demographic dividend” that research analysts keep harping about — by 2020, the working age population in India is expected to grow by more than 47 million people.
The power the youth can wield was recently on display during the general elections as they played a crucial role in boosting the UPA’s performance and paving the way for a second consecutive term in governing the nation. However, youth power can be a double-edged sword if it is not managed efficiently. As the working population grows by leaps and bounds, it is imperative that this new generation of workforce is equipped with skills and knowledge if the nation is to harness its human capital potential.
More importantly, skills- and knowledge-accretion need to be in sync with the aspirations and ambitions of the youth. Failure to do so could result in a host of societal problems, and the ensuing rise in unemployment and poverty could drag down India’s economic prospects in the not-too-distant future. The focus should, therefore, be not only on numbers but on quality of this human resource.
India’s economic planners have time and again focused attention on the youth. The first Planning Commission in 1952 recognised the vital role that youth can play in the development of the nation. In 1985, after the UN declared it as the International Year of the Youth, Indian policymakers set about preparing a National Youth Policy, which was adopted in 1988, which was then revised in 2003. Despite this, few initiatives were taken to translate these policies into action on the ground.
A significant initiative has recently been launched by the National Book Trust which has proposed a ‘National Action Plan for Readership Development among the Youth (NAPRDY)’ on the occasion of its golden jubilee celebrations. As the first major step envisaged under the proposed NAPRDY, NBT and NCAER are undertaking a ‘National Youth Readership Survey-2009’, a national survey of over 35,000 youth covering all the states and UTs among in rural and urban India.
The survey will cover major topics such as demographic profile, patterns of use of information sources, readership status, attitudes, determinants of readership, etc. This initiative is expected to provide policymakers and other key stakeholders, including the corporate sector, key insights into the attitudes and usership trends among Indian youth.
But before addressing the youth issues, it’s necessary to first arrive at a definition of youth. Sociologically speaking, youth refers to a ‘category’ rather than a ‘group’; the difference being that a category has diverse or heterogeneous elements unlike a group which is sociologically similar in its composition. Youth relates to an age group that is transiting between childhood and adulthood and may comprise of a conglomeration of sub-groups with differing social roles, expectations and aspirations.
However, there is no uniformity in the definition among different countries. The UN defines youth as those in the age-group of 15-24 years. The UNICEF defines youth in the age bracket of 15-30 years. On the other hand, India’s National Youth Policy (NYP, 2003) considers all individuals in the age-group of 13-35 years as youth population. NYP further states that all persons within this age group are unlikely to be one homogeneous group and divides into two broad groups: 13-19 years (adolescent age group) and 20-35 years.
Understanding Indian youth: Census 2001 provides valuable information on age, sex and education levels of population and some insights on youth.
The total youth (13-34 years) population is 390 million (38% of total population) and is expected to rise to 440 million by 2020.
70% (271 million) youth reside in over 600,000 villages.
72% (282 million) youth are literate.
41% of literate youth are 13-19 years old, 23% are 20-24 years old and 36% are in the 25-34 years old. There is no significant difference among males and females.
59% of literate youth are male. Little over 7% (21 million) of literate youth are graduates and above, 53% have passed higher secondary (12th class).
62% of graduate youth are male.
India is comfortably placed to reap the benefits of this demographic dividend for at least the next 12 years. But as mentioned earlier, size alone is not sufficient. The quality of human resource is an important aspect. Indian youth need to be equipped with knowledge and skills to compete globally. As a recent BusinessWeek article pointed out “the primary ambition of young Indians from the smallest villages to the largest cities is to ‘become rich’.”
But the gap between expectations and reality is too wide — and some would even say unbridgeable. According to trends revealed by NSS (National Sample Survey, Government of India):
Indian households spend a minuscule 3.58% of their total household expenditure on education which translates into Rs 73 per month for rural and Rs 230 per month for urban in 2004-05. This has marginally increased from 2.42% in 1993-94.
In real terms, expenditure on education by households increased both in the rural and urban India between 1993-94 and 2004-05. The rural household’s education spend in 2004-05 was roughly about 44% of what urban households were spending on education in 1993-94.
In 2004-05, rural households spent roughly about the same amount on education and on consumption of pan/tobacco and other intoxicants. Significantly, education featured way down on the list of priorities, and just above entertainment, in terms of household expenditure.
The expenditure on tuition fees and private tutor fees, as subsets of education expenses, reported highest growth. On the other hand the expenditure on library charges has gone down.
The above figures are definitely a cause for concern. A strong culture of reading is a prerequisite for any society that expects to compete in a fast globalising environment. Television, the Internet and other communication have raised the expectations of the youth. And unless this gap between aspirations and abilities is adequately addressed, it could turn into a ‘problem’ rather than a ‘resource’, so don’t waste the opportunity.
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4573461.cms?prtpage=1
Need of youth in Indian political system
Change mindset, promote young leaders: Advani
Sun, Jun 21 05:12 PM
New Delhi, June 21 (IANS) Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Sunday asserted that the party's leadership should shed its 'train compartment mentality' and evolve a system to encourage young leaders.
Delivering the concluding address to the party's two-day national executive meeting here, Advani said: 'The party has to urgently evolve a system of encouraging younger leaders at all levels.
'But I have heard many young activists tell me that they are not given opportunity to serve the party more effectively,' said Advani, 81.
He lamented: 'It is sad that a certain 'train compartment mentality' has got developed within the party, which makes those in leadership positions to ignore promising, talented and committed cadres who are standing 'outside' and waiting for the door to open.'
He said this had to change and the party must think into the future.
Advani said: 'We must identify, train, groom and empower third, fourth and fifth generation of leaders in the BJP. Our leadership planning should take into account the party's needs for the next twenty years.'
Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20090621/818/tnl-change-mindset-promote-young-leaders.html
Sun, Jun 21 05:12 PM
New Delhi, June 21 (IANS) Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Sunday asserted that the party's leadership should shed its 'train compartment mentality' and evolve a system to encourage young leaders.
Delivering the concluding address to the party's two-day national executive meeting here, Advani said: 'The party has to urgently evolve a system of encouraging younger leaders at all levels.
'But I have heard many young activists tell me that they are not given opportunity to serve the party more effectively,' said Advani, 81.
He lamented: 'It is sad that a certain 'train compartment mentality' has got developed within the party, which makes those in leadership positions to ignore promising, talented and committed cadres who are standing 'outside' and waiting for the door to open.'
He said this had to change and the party must think into the future.
Advani said: 'We must identify, train, groom and empower third, fourth and fifth generation of leaders in the BJP. Our leadership planning should take into account the party's needs for the next twenty years.'
Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20090621/818/tnl-change-mindset-promote-young-leaders.html
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
indian youth and politics
The wave of interests among Indian youth in politics is setting a new trend:
Source: INDIA TODAY / June 1, 2009
Source: OUTLOOK / June 1, 2009
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Youngest minister raring to work for northeast
Wed, May 27 06:23 PM
New Delhi, May 27 (IANS) She is young, confident and raring to 'bridge the gap' between her home region, the northeast, and the rest of the country. Agatha Sangma, the youngest minister of the Manmohan Singh government, may not be 'choosy' about her portfolio, but is sure geared up to work for grassroot development.
Looking confident as she handled scores of media queries in near-impeccable Hindi right after the news broke, 27-year-old Sangma said that in all probability she will get the rural development ministry.
'I am privileged and since this is my first opportunity, I will not be choosy. Whatever position I am given, I will be happy,' the first time minister, who hails from Meghalaya and is the daughter of former Lok Sabha Speaker P A.Sangma, told IANS.
'Like last time, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders Parful Patel got the civil aviation ministry and Sharad Pawar got the agriculture portfolio. Therefore if the status quo is maintained then I may get the rural development ministry which was given to Suryakanta Patil,' she said.
Obviously thrilled at being recommended for the council of ministers, Sangma said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called her Wednesday afternoon at her 34, Aurangzeb Road residence, giving her the news.
'He (Manmohan Singh) called me in the afternoon and told me to come for the swearing-in ceremony. That is when the news was confirmed,' Sangma, dressed in a navy blue wrap around skirt and a light blue checked shirt, said.
A lawyer by profession, Sangma took her LL.B degree from Pune University and then joined the bar in Delhi High Court. She did her masters from Nottingham University in the UK on environmental management.
Her plunge into politics came after her brothers, Conrad Sangma and James Sangma. She entered active politics with the NCP nominating her as the party candidate for the May 22 by-election last year to Tura Lok Sabha seat in Garo hills in Meghalaya.
All geared up to work for the development of the northeast now, Sangma said: 'The main problem when it comes to development there is that the northeast is considered seperate from the rest of the country because it is culturally very different'.
'We are economically and culturally segregated. Now I have a big responsibility - to integrate the northeast with the rest of the country. Economic empowerment of the women and giving employment to the youth without losing our cultural heritage will be my priority,' Sangma said.
Azera Rahman
Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20090527/818/tnl-youngest-minister-raring-to-work-for.html
more on Sangma: http://samaw.com/agatha-k-sangma-indias-youngest-mp-profile-bio/1143
INgene wishes her good luck :)
Source: INDIA TODAY / June 1, 2009
Source: OUTLOOK / June 1, 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Youngest minister raring to work for northeast
Wed, May 27 06:23 PM
New Delhi, May 27 (IANS) She is young, confident and raring to 'bridge the gap' between her home region, the northeast, and the rest of the country. Agatha Sangma, the youngest minister of the Manmohan Singh government, may not be 'choosy' about her portfolio, but is sure geared up to work for grassroot development.
Looking confident as she handled scores of media queries in near-impeccable Hindi right after the news broke, 27-year-old Sangma said that in all probability she will get the rural development ministry.
'I am privileged and since this is my first opportunity, I will not be choosy. Whatever position I am given, I will be happy,' the first time minister, who hails from Meghalaya and is the daughter of former Lok Sabha Speaker P A.Sangma, told IANS.
'Like last time, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders Parful Patel got the civil aviation ministry and Sharad Pawar got the agriculture portfolio. Therefore if the status quo is maintained then I may get the rural development ministry which was given to Suryakanta Patil,' she said.
Obviously thrilled at being recommended for the council of ministers, Sangma said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called her Wednesday afternoon at her 34, Aurangzeb Road residence, giving her the news.
'He (Manmohan Singh) called me in the afternoon and told me to come for the swearing-in ceremony. That is when the news was confirmed,' Sangma, dressed in a navy blue wrap around skirt and a light blue checked shirt, said.
A lawyer by profession, Sangma took her LL.B degree from Pune University and then joined the bar in Delhi High Court. She did her masters from Nottingham University in the UK on environmental management.
Her plunge into politics came after her brothers, Conrad Sangma and James Sangma. She entered active politics with the NCP nominating her as the party candidate for the May 22 by-election last year to Tura Lok Sabha seat in Garo hills in Meghalaya.
All geared up to work for the development of the northeast now, Sangma said: 'The main problem when it comes to development there is that the northeast is considered seperate from the rest of the country because it is culturally very different'.
'We are economically and culturally segregated. Now I have a big responsibility - to integrate the northeast with the rest of the country. Economic empowerment of the women and giving employment to the youth without losing our cultural heritage will be my priority,' Sangma said.
Azera Rahman
Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20090527/818/tnl-youngest-minister-raring-to-work-for.html
more on Sangma: http://samaw.com/agatha-k-sangma-indias-youngest-mp-profile-bio/1143
INgene wishes her good luck :)
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