About INgene blog : First ever Indian Youth trend Insights blog

About INgene : First ever Indian Youth trend Insights blog:
This blog explores the detailed characteristics of Young-India and explains the finer & crucial differences they have with their global peers. The blog also establishes the theory of “adopted differentiation” (Copyright Kaustav SG,2007) and how the Indian & Inglodian youth are using this as a tool to differentiate themselves from the “aam aadmi” (mass population of India) to establish their new found identity.

The term youth refers to persons who are no longer children and not yet adults. Used colloquially, however the term generally refers to a broader, more ambiguous field of reference- from the physically adolescent to those in their late twenties.
Though superficially the youth all over the world exhibits similar [degree of] attitude, [traits of] interests & [deliverance of] opinion but a detailed observation reveals the finer differential characteristics which are crucial and often ignored while targeting this group as a valued consumer base. India is one of the youngest countries in the world with 60% of its population less then 24 years of age and is charted as the most prospective destination for the retail investment in the A. T. Kearney’s Global Retail Opportunity Report, 2007. With the first ever non-socialistic generation’s thriving aspiration & new found money power combined with steadily growing GDP, bubbling IT industry and increasing list of confident young entrepreneurs, the scenario appears very lucrative for the global and local retailers to target the “Youngisthan” (young-India). But, the secret remains in the understanding of the finer AIOs of this generation. The Indian youth segment roughly estimates close to 250million (between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five) and can be broadly divided (socio-psychologically) into three categories: the Bharatiyas, the Indians & the Inglodians (copyright Kaustav SG 2008). The Bharatiyas estimating 67% of the young population lives in the rural (R1, R2 to R4 SEC) areas with least influence of globalization, high traditional values. They are least economically privileged, most family oriented Bollywood influenced generation. The Indians constitute 31.5% (A, B,C, D & E SEC) and have moderate global influence. They are well aware of the global trends but rooted to the Indian family values, customs and ethos. The Inglodians are basically the creamy layers (A1,A SEC) and marginal (1.5% or roughly three million) in number though they are strongly growing (70% growth rate). Inglodians are affluent and consume most of the trendy & luxury items. They are internet savvy & the believers of global-village (a place where there is no difference between east & west, developing & developed countries etc.), highly influenced by the western music, food, fashion & culture yet Indian at heart.








Showing posts with label Indian youth and politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indian youth and politics. Show all posts

Friday, March 19, 2010

IQ, Indian Youth and a call in politics!

Rahul Gandhi calls smart+sharp (+ IQ!!) youth to join in politics...IQ of youth seems to be in great demand in the political scenario of India. But, as per INgene survey, still youth are reluctant to make it as a career (due to the worst bureaucratic situation and overwhelming corruption)...the latest incident of offering "cash garland" to mayabati added fuel to this disguise.

Kaustav
INgene

Friday, February 19, 2010

Politics and Indian youth - part IV

One more reason why educated youth in India hates politics, politicians and MPs :
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Blog says Members of Parliament misusing diplomatic passports for work


Thu, Feb 18 02:55 PM
New Delhi, Feb.18 (ANI): An article appearing in the blog -- rajagopalan1951.blogspot.com - has said that Members of Parliament are allegedly misusing their diplomatic passports for work and business.

According to the article, the External Affairs Ministry has sought to put an end to such malpractice.

Diplomatic passports are issued to MPs going abroad on diplomatic assignment as also to their spouses accompanying them.

In a letter to Parliament, the Ministry has made it clear that these can be used for personal visits as well but not conducting any business or professional work as a lawyer, doctor or a businessperson.

"While diplomatic passports can be used for private visit like tourism or visiting friends and relatives, they are not meant to be used when traveling abroad for work and business," the letter said.

It also makes it clear that any MP having the diplomatic passport does not get a right to visit any country, no matter even if the ministry sends a visa note for their visit.

"While issuing visa notes addressed to foreign Missions, the purpose of visit is specified, viz. official or private. However, it remains the prerogative of the foreign missions to grant or decline visa to an applicant, regardless of the visa note from this Ministry," the letter added. (ANI)

Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/139/20100218/808/tnl-blog-says-members-of-parliament-misu.html

Kaustav SenGupta
INgene

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

politics and youth in India

In continuation with the earlier discussions about politics, politicians and youth in India, I found an interesting list of 10 budding young political leaders in India published by Yahoo at "year in review"! As argued earlier in this blog, 99% of them are the son/ daughter of political leaders...the business of corruption, suppression and legacy of autocracy in the veil of democracy goes on...

The list can be seen at: http://in.yearinreview.yahoo.com/2009/inyoungpoliticians#youngpoliticians


Kaustav SenGupta
INgene

NOTE: this blog neither supports nor disguise any particular political party / leader but displays the view of youth in India as a whole with facts, reports and articles published in various media or survey.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Politics, System, Bureaucracy and youth in India

In my earlier posts, as I was talking about "Khadi", "Khaki" and fuming disguises about the "Indian laws, bureaucratic systems" among youth in India, this "funny" verdict came (I can't add any other adjective than calling it "funny"...huh) as a slap in my face.
The 14 year old teenager was molested (and committed suicide incidentally) by an ex-DGP (Diector General of Police)...the family fought 19years (can you believe it!) in the court and finally the "poor man"( yes, that what Mr. Ram Jethmalani explained him in an interview at NDTV 24X7) got just 6 months jail and Rs.1000 fine (US$22)! What an efficient uncorrupted system!!
The family went through hell for 19 years...and we call this country as the largest democratic country in the world!

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Ruchika molestation: 6 months jail, Rs 1,000 fine for ex-DGP
Aneesha Sareen Posted online: Tuesday , Dec 22, 2009 at 0849 hrs

Chandigarh : Nineteen years after he allegedly molested a teenaged girl who later committed suicide, former Haryana Director General of Police S P S Rathore was today sentenced to six months rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000 for the crime.
Special CBI Magistrate J S Sidhu convicted Rathore of molesting 14-year-old Ruchika Girhotra. Rathore got bail immediately after the order was pronounced and was told to furnish bail bonds of Rs 10,000. His wife and defence counsel, Abha Rathore, stood surety for bail.

In August 1990, Ruchika, a budding tennis player, was allegedly molested by Rathore, then an IG and president of the Haryana Lawn Tennis Association, at his office-cum-residence — Ruchika’s friend and classmate Aradhana was eyewitness to the incident. Traumatised by the incident and subsequent harassment of her family, Ruchika committed suicide by poisoning herself in 1993.

While pronouncing the verdict, the magistrate relied on Aradhana’s statement in court. Deposing as prime prosecution witness, Aradhana, who is now married and settled in Australia, told the court that she had seen Rathore forcibly holding and molesting Ruchika.

“The allegations against the former senior police officer are of moral turpitude which are serious in nature and are particularly against a minor girl. Therefore, the prayer for probation in the case by the accused has been declined,” the magistrate said.

Rathore had urged the court to take a lenient view as he was old and had undergone a valve surgery recently. He said he was under great mental stress owing to media reporting of the incident.

“I have great faith in the judicial system. I will file an appeal ... I am relieved today, thanks to my lovely wife who stood by me, fought the case and gave a strong defence,” Rathore, who retired as DGP, told reporters.

Investigation into the case was handed over to the CBI in 1998. Ruchika’s family moved out of Chandigarh. They alleged they were being harassed by the police in retaliation for the case against Rathore.

Anand and Madhu Parkash, parents of Ruchika’s friend Aradhana, had approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1997, seeking a probe into the incident after a police report had stated that prima facie there was a case against Rathore. A year later, the case was transferred to the CBI special magistrate.

“I am elated that Rathore has been awarded six months of RI, but at the same time I am sad it took so long to decide on the matter. Had the verdict against Rathore been pronounced earlier, I think Ruchika would not have committed suicide,” Madhu Parkash told reporters.

Her husband Anand Parkash, a retired government employee, said, “I think the quantum of punishment is less... It is not the end of the trial. We will drag to court all police officers and bureaucrats who tried their best to save Rathore. Despite the allegations against him, he was promoted twice and retired as DGP. Is this how the system deals with an accused?”.

Daughter Aradhana said it was Ruchika’s wish that a case be lodged against Rathore. “My mother and father were ready to take up this case. Ruchika’s family too was very supportive, knowing that they would be subjected to harassment.”
Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Ruchika-molestation--6-months-jail--Rs-1-000-fine-for-ex-DGP/557617

I was treated like a dog: Ruchika's brother to court
Fri, Dec 25 05:25 AM

Narrating the inhuman treatment meted out to him by the Haryana Police at the behest of S P S Rathore, Ruchika Girhotra's brother, Ashu, had filed an affidavit in the Punjab and Haryana High Court on December 3, 2001. Ashu was implicated and picked up for six false cases of auto theft — all the charges later fell flat in court.

"Hell was let loose on me. I was treated like a dog. I was slapped, given fist blows and had to further undergo more inhuman torture which I cannot explain in this affidavit. I was not given any food or water to drink for various days. Whenever I used to ask for a glass of water, the police officials used to give me filthy abuses," he said in his affidavit.

Saying that he tried to console Ruchika, who was suffering from depression, he added: "Life was made more miserable for the entire family. Ruchika was literally living under house arrest. As and when Ruchika used to come out of our residence, some mischievous people, who were deployed at the instance of Rathore, used to pass lewd remarks at her. Rathore also made it a point to see that Ruchika did not continue her studies."

The affidavit further states: "I was brutally beaten up by the CIA staff, Panchkula. Rathore was personally supervising the interrogation and directed the investigating officer to beat me till I give up. I was so terrorised that I could not even disclose this to the magistrate. I and my family members have been reeling under tremendous pressure. I was picked up during Diwali. I never thought that Diwali of 1993 would be the most gloomy phase of life wherein I would have to undergo such inhuman treatment. I was beaten up so mercilessly that I could not even walk properly."

Ashu was handcuffed and paraded in the neighbourhood. The "police officers were abusing my sister and father. I was like an animal who was in a cage and was trying to get myself free to save the honour of my family. My father begged the police to be afraid of God and not to inflict this inhuman torture on the family. After a few days, I was told in custody that Ruchika had committed suicide. I was picked up by the police on October 23, 1993 and was released only on December 23, 1993, after the death of my sister," Ashu had informed the High Court.
Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/48/20091225/804/tnl-i-was-treated-like-a-dog-ruchika-s-b.html

Further reading: http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20091229/812/tnl-chandigarh-administration-initiates.html
http://in.news.yahoo.com/48/20091224/804/tnl-ruchika-s-father-accuses-chautala-of.html
http://desicritics.org/2009/12/22/204720.php
http://www.ndtv.com/news/india/ruchika_molestation_the_case_so_far.php
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Ruchika-molestation-Ex-Haryana-DGP-convicted/articleshow/5362230.cms

Kaustav SenGupta
INgene

Monday, December 21, 2009

politics and the youth of India

This is why the khadis* and khakis** are hated most among the educated youth in India.





Source: The Week, August16,2009

• Khadis is a term used to refer the politicians
• Khakis is a term used to refer the govt. officials, IAS officers and Cops

Kaustav SenGupta
INgene

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Politics and the youth of India

The political scenario of India is changing? God knows (if at all he has any idea of corruption level among Indian politicians)! But yes, some micro changes can be seen as more and more young bloods are coming in to head and inspire larger political parties in India. The recent example can be the announcement of Nitin Gadkari (52) as the highest parliamentary leader of BJP. This can be seen as the struggle for survival to protect their face (and back). It is saturated with clot bloods and grey hairs (some of them even became fossils) and loosing ground very fast due to their ego-clashes and back dated thoughts. They also wanted somebody to portray in comparison with blue blooded prince charming Mr. Rahul Gandhi (who carries two bricks in white kurta to show off that he is among the grass roots of India!)… lets hope this battle of survival evolves into the betterment of India’s political scenario with some fresh thoughts and works other than eating up money and building self statues in parks…
Though I don’t think this will lead to any major changes in “political business” / “legacy of the throne scenario” where siblings are entitled to the chair (you know, family money should remain in family) in the name of “introducing young bloods” (ie. Sachin Pilot son of Rajesh Pilot, Jyotiraditya Scindia son of Madhav Rao Scindia, M. K. Stalin son of Karunanidhi, Priya Dutt daughter of Sunil Dutt etc.)

Kaustav SenGupta
INgene

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Nitin Gadkari: From a humble student leader to BJP chief
Sat, Dec 19 04:25 PM

It has been a long journey for 52-year-old Nitin Gadkari from a humble student leader to the youngest-ever President of the BJP.
Gadkari who was appointed by the party's Parliamentary Board to the top post today, is a disciplined soldier of RSS and will have the distinction of becoming the first BJP chief from Maharashtra. It is a coincidence that he hails from Nagpur, the headquarters of the RSS -- which has always been the guiding force for the main opposition party. Gadkari, who has replaced Rajnath Singh, has been entrusted with the responsibility at a time when Congress is playing the Rahul Gandhi card, projecting the young leader as the future Prime Minister and BJP is facing serious challenges on the leadership front. The BJP leader, who was till now the chief of Maharashtra BJP, proved his mettle as an effective minister in the Shiv Sena-BJP government in the state ten years back.
Though an 'outsider' in Delhi circles, he is no babe in the woods and is known in the BJP as a clear thinker having a forward-looking vision and an organiser who knows how to take the party along.
Gadkari has maintained his close proximity with the RSS leadership right from the days of the then RSS chief Balasaheb Deoras and later with Rajju Bhaiyya, K C Sudarshan and the current head of the organisation Mohan Bhagwat. In fact, the talk in BJP circles is that Gadkari became the hot favourite for the top job following Bhagwat's search for a new leader to turn the party around.
Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/48/20091219/814/tnl-nitin-gadkari-from-a-humble-student.html

Further reading: http://www.indianetzone.com/8/indian_politicians.htm
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/We-need-young-politicians/articleshow/2520445.cms

Politics and corruption in India : http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/%5Cpapers3%5Cpaper219.htm (…and this is not an updated list of corruption!)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption_in_India

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Monday, June 22, 2009

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

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 :)

Friday, May 22, 2009

"pretty young thing?"




As earlier stated in this blog, Rahul is becoming popular figure among young adults in India…he is publicized (a propaganda) as the “future prime minister”! and the “charismatic young blood” in Indian politics…a field dominated by the wrinkled skin, silver hair oldies who’s being considered as the money minting demons by the young Indians… "Khadi aur Khaki loot liya desh ko..." (Khadi/ politicians and Khaki/ cops has destroyed the country) comments one youth. (INgene)
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Always popular among girls, Rahul Gandhi is, at the moment, the hottest property for Delhi's pretty young things. And the guys are taking notice of the fact. For youngsters of both sexes, Rahul defines the ideal male. What makes the quiet Gandhi so hot? For Swasti Pachauri, a 25-year-old HR consultant, it's a combination of many things: "He is charismatic, dynamic and he wants to reform India. Who wouldn't want to be with someone like him?".The third phase of the five-phased Indian general elections is being held Thursday. For 22-year-old content writer Priya Sharma, Rahul exemplifies the boy next door despite his famous name. 'From his body language to the way he addresses people. Every guy should pick up a thing or two from him. And, of course, he's amazingly cute!' Priya says with a giggle. In photo: India's ruling Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi, greets the crowd during an election rally at Anantnag, some 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Srinagar, India, Monday, April 27, 2009. Deepika Nagpal, a young journalist, finds Rahul's sincerity most attractive. 'Whatever he says, he says from the heart. He is not like anybody else in politics. See how he had the courage to praise his opponents during the campaign. Such characteristics in a man would certainly appeal to me,' says Deepika, who has been in love with Rahul since she was eight years old! 'I also like the fact that he is not over-groomed - his kurta is crushed, his collar sometimes looks limp, but he carries it all so well. And yes, his dimples are terribly sexy.'

In photo:Congress party General Secretary Rahul Gandhi waves to the crowd at an election campaign rally in Buxar, about 180 kilometers (112 miles) from Patna, India, Wednesday, April 1, 2009.
(AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/photos/slideshow/rahul-gandhi-is-hot.html

for further reference:



This blog dsnt support any political party or ideology.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Indian Youth and politics

Throwing shoes to the politicians is the latest trend, a way of "demonstrating frustration and anger" against the corrupted political system in India. what else an individual youth can do where corruption is inevitable!

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Angry student throws shoe at India's prime minister

Sun, Apr 26 07:00 PM

A student threw a shoe at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during an election rally in Ahmedabad on Sunday after he was stopped from shouting at the veteran politician, police said.

The shoe landed in front of a dias, moments after Singh started to speak about the government's achievements in the last five years of power.

The man, identified as Hitesh Chauhan, a 21-year-old computer engineering student, was taken away by police, and detained for questioning, Abhay Chudasma, a senior police officer told Reuters.

"He was shouting that politicians were all liars, when he was stopped by supporters, resulting in the incident," Chudasma said. "We are questioning him and will release him after a while."

The incident was the latest episode of shoe-throwing as a mark of protest against political leaders. Other incidents involved former U.S. President George W. Bush and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

In India, angry people have thrown shoes and slippers at politicians contesting in the April/May general election. Fearful of such attacks by disgruntled voters, leaders have asked for more security and are erecting metal nets at rallies.

This month, a Sikh journalist hurled a shoe at India's home minister during a news conference in New Delhi after getting angry with the minister's reply to a question about 1984 riots.

A few days later, another man threw a slipper at Lal Krishna Advani, the prime ministerial candidate of the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, the main opposition party.


While criticising the incidents, Indian leaders have not taken any legal action against the offenders.

(Additional reporting by Bappa Majumdar)
Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20090426/386/ten-angry-student-throws-shoe-at-india-s.html

Friday, April 24, 2009

Educated youth: The change agent in Indian politics


Photo source: The Hindu


The kind of fractious political environment that our disputatious leadership has created over the years in itself has become the biggest deterrent for any educated and equitably honest youth to take politics up as a scrupulously dignified career. In fact, over the years, the entire trenchant political environment has been constructed in such a discordant manner that it has managed to keep young, potently dedicated and benevolent youth away from it. If that is not the case, then how does one justify that almost 25 per cent of our Parliamentarians have criminal backgrounds!

Historically, though, this was not the case. Not that it was any better ever, but in the 1950s, the average age of Rajya Sabha members was around 50, which shot up to 59 by the turn of the century. And I’m sure by 2009 it would have gone up by a few more months. Similarly, the average age of the 13th Lok Sabha has been around 55 years! Here again, the average age has been on a constant rise. The average age during the first Lok Sabha was 46 years. The matter of fact is that Indian democracy has invariably posed a classical dichotomy with respect to Indian demographics. A nation wherein more than 70 per cent of the population is less than 40 years has a Parliament which houses 80 per cent of its politicians over the age of 70! Probably no other nation reflects such a stark irony – for example in the United Kingdom, there were only two Prime Ministers (Winston Churchill and James Callaghan) who crossed 70 while holding their office! But then it would be wrong to state that Indian Parliament is completely bereft of youth. In the 14th Lok Sabha, some 36 young debutant MPs got elected and bettered the average age factor for the Lok Sabha.

Had these 36 young MPs not been elected this time, I’m sure Lok Sabha would have been declared dead, statistically, as the average mortality rate of Indians is 64. But then, other than lowering the average age of the Lok Sabha, the young MPs did hardly anything to bring in any noteworthy political change for the people of this nation. And this ought to happen, for most of the young MPs who made it through had a political legacy behind them. And that is the reason, as per a PRS India report, that young MPs hardly participated in the Lok Sabha proceedings. Whereas on the other extreme, MPs above 70 years, accounting for 10 per cent of the House, participated in 10 per cent of total debates. The report also states that the average attendance of MPs in the 25-40 years age group, which was at 70 per cent, was the lowest. What’s even more unfortunate is that during the Budget Session, which lasts for 28 days and is of national imperative, the average attendance of the very same young MPs was a mere 62 per cent.

Though as a nation we might have succeeded in electing a few youths in the Parliament, it has been an act of mere tokenism. For neither do they seem to possess any zealously rousing vision, nor do they presumably poss any precipitously striking leadership skills, which is pretty evident from their spiritless attendance and incurious participation.

In fact, with the election having been declared and with almost all political parties creating all kind of noise about educated youth getting into mainstream politics, particularly post 26/11, I do not contemplate much to happen. At best, a few political parties might succeed in getting a few youth elected; but then that’s it. The delinquent problem lies in the fact that it is prohibitively impossible for any educated and erudite youth with the right vision and leadership skills to contest an election independently. For not only does it require considerable money, but on top of that, if someone has to get any closer to winning, then one has to necessarily be a part of existing political ideologies.
The real catalytic change can happen only when political parties in power have a pre-potently dynamic youth oriented perspective. They need to not just invigoratingly encourage educated youth to participate but they need to have a systematic selection and funding process. It is only then that there would be a true vitalising transformation in the political system that would pave a path for a fundamentally strong and prosperously efficacious democracy.

Source:http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=15750715

Why Indian youth are not interested in politics?

The Q&A sessions from different blogs and site depicts the view points from various youth:

"I am 17...so I think I might be able to give an apt answer (only my perspective though). Being young is often the age of being impatient. When somehting is too complicated to decipher, we tend to stay away from it. Indian politics has become a constant push and pull of religion, caste, corruption, and battles the 'youth' does not consider worth their time. The opposition opposes just for the heck of it, and meaningful governance seems to be losing its way,
I study political science as a subject and have done some in depth research on the Indian democracy. it's actually admirable once u really how difficult it actually is to govern such a complicated nation."


"Because politics is very dirty game. Today's youth is educated and just want a job at the place of doing politics."

"they have better things to do!"

Source: http://sawaal.ibibo.com/law/why-youth-not-focusing-on-indian-politics-508676.html
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"yes, it is possible for youth to get into Politics and there are already a few who have started. In fact, there is a political party formed by 3 IIT graduates in Northern India. But that isn't one of the problems at the moment - Votes can be counted.. but there should be votes to count. Everyone doesn't vote - In fact 76% of the youth are completely indifferent towards Politics. The problem, also, rises when the rural educated (school) youth vote as they are promised education/employment but the urban well educated youth that don't find time or interest to take part in the Political system, just don't vote. Our country is a Democratic country - of the people, by the people and for the people. But it's these people who need to get their asses up and be aware of what's happenin around and take a bloody stand. And, Most of all - Get out and Vote. One vote matters - it can make all the difference! Once the interest into Politics comes in, it's up to Us (n why i say us is because i am part of this youth culture in India) to define what stand we want to take - whether it's to get into the Parliament, to start a movement, to make others aware in whatever you know and eventually help others make society/community - town - city - state - country a Better Place!
So Youth into Politics - Definitely!"


Source: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061001075014AAZhXeU
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"Ask someone to define democracy, and I'll bet he or she quotes Abraham Lincoln back to you. A Government of the people, by the people, and for the people, is how the 16th president of USA put it in the Gettysburg Address. For most of us, those are the words that first come to mind when we think about democracy.

But do they really mean anything, these days to India? Democracy will have a meaning if and only if the people who are participating the electoral system have power to think and analyze. This system works well for the people in countries where people are empowered with education and Information and where people can judge what is right and what is wrong.

In a country such as India where close to 70 percentage of the people are illiterate and have no clue of the consequence of electing a political party or a leader. Those educated who can make a difference by participating in system are running away from it because they know there are no takers for them in the current system.

After 50 years of Independence and when time and technology changing so rapidly it is very saddening to see most of the country is still undereducated. When people are illiterate one cannot expect them to understand the policies and ethics of a political party. This has been a bane for the current breed of political parties who just work hard to grab the power and fill their coffins. They do not want people to get empowered and they want them to be there as along as possible.

I my self never participated in the systems because I know my vote always going to be void. VOID, yes if I participate and vote for an eligible party (if available) and if any one among rest of 70 percentage vote to the opposition party it s nothing but void. All my education and the power I had from my education and knowledge gone in the drain.

Indian Democracy can work and we can make it to work. The only possibility I see is encouraging well-educated people to political system. But How?, Why do they want to come in to current system which is so corrupt and illogical for the current socioeconomic nature of the country.

The Following are my recommendations

· Each vote of the educated person should be counted as 10 votes or more based his qualification. This provision can be taken away when country becomes 90 educated.

· Make it mandatory to participate in the system to all educated people

These suggestions may sound crazy to some people but it is the need of the hours to see a change at least in our lifetime

Do you think current political parties/politicians would be interested in implementing this even if all the countrymen and women want it to be implemented? No, they would stop it just by saying its an discrimination with rest of the fellow citizens?. Then I would ask them what is the solution, shall we wait until everyone become educated in the country and its going to take 200 more years and by that time country will be Dark Age.

Then what is the solution?

Military Coup. Yes its sound strange but yes its required for India. Current politicians are taking the mother India for a ride. We need a fundamental change in the code and conduct of the system and its possible only through a coup and president rule."

Source: http://blog.360.yahoo.com/mallik_bathula
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"Most of our political parties aim getting votes and coming into power. They do not have any principles . They are least bothered about the country's development.

It is good if more young people come to the politics who can change or at least correct to some extent the Govt bodies . They should be able to do something for the country , for the people."


"Most of our politicians are octogenarians who are not so pragmatic. They all know only how to win elections. But they have few after-election task to do. Youth & working people constitute majority of the citizens, who hitherto did not even consider voting as an important responsibility, thanks to the image of politicians. It is a good thing to see that a lot of young, educated and talented people are entering politics with a lot of enthusiasm. It is these people who could take us to the world of technology and innovation."

"sleeping sleeping and earning. the old brains are doing nothing there. being born in india we have to make some good to our country. the old brains are tired now. they are busy in dreaming."



"Indian politics has really seen uncountable politicians who have contributed in just spoiling the nation.They have kust filled their own pockets in country's name."


Source: http://www.indiastudychannel.com/forum/21653-Should-Indian-youth-join-politics.aspx
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Indian youth and politics



Soma Chakraborty moved to Bangalore as a new bride in November, excited to join her husband, Avishek, in a place known for fun, freedom and opportunity. That notion lasted about a month. "I'm trying to love the city," she says gamely. But the city has not made it easy. Soma, 24, hasn't been able to find work — in a recession, no one's interested in her master's degree in psychology without experience — and Avishek's once coveted job at the outsourcing firm Satyam now depends on the whims of the scandal-tainted company's new owners. (Read "In India, a Dynastic Heir Strategizes the Election.")

To save money, the Chakrabortys stopped going out to nightclubs, not long before a spate of so-called "moral policing" attacks in which women were assaulted in public by small groups of unidentified men for wearing jeans and sleeveless tops. "I have a tough time getting out of the house," Soma says, making it difficult for her to find friends or new professional contacts. They don't want the government to bail them out, but they do want a city that understands and encourages their ambitions. (See pictures of the tempestuous Nehru-Gandhi dynasty of India.)

A generation ago, a young couple like this might have simply tried to leave India in search of a better life. Avishek and Soma plan to do something more radical. They will vote in the national elections — which began April 16 and are staggered over five weeks — in a conscious effort to hold their government accountable. The Chakrabortys are part of India's youth vote, a demographic that is too large for any political party to ignore. Of India's 1 billion citizens, 40% are under 18; 70% are under 35. In the cities, voting rates among younger citizens are as many as 20 points lower than they are in rural areas, but growing. "Urban youth is emerging as a key electoral group," says Jai Mrug, an election analyst based in Mumbai. "It could be a huge sample of voters freshly added to the polls." The country's political future belongs to those who understand that their issues are India's issues.

Disrupted Lives
the sleek third-floor lounge of the Ista, a boutique hotel in downtown Bangalore, is a good place to try to understand how young Indians are changing politics. Many of the young employees of this hotel are upset, in a visceral way, about the recent incidents in Bangalore, which occurred a few weeks after a more vicious, videotaped beating of a group of young women at a pub in Mangalore, a much smaller city 220 miles (350 km) away. "It gets you really angry," says Deepak Sampath, 30, the hotel's front-office manager. "It's not something that you're doing wrong. It's still a democratic country. You're not intruding into anybody else's place."

Moral policing might sound like a minor quality-of-life issue, but for young Bangaloreans it is symbolic of a broader failure of governance. "You know that the government can do something about it," says Michelle Sebastian, 26, marketing manager at the hotel. But no one has been arrested in Bangalore, and she still feels unsafe going out at night. "We pay taxes. Where's the money going?" Instead of putting more police on the streets, the local government is using the incidents to justify new restrictions on bars and restaurants. The employees at the Ista worry that disrupting local nightlife won't just hurt their business; they fear that it hurts Bangalore's reputation as a safe, cosmopolitan place for young people to start their careers — a reputation that has turned the city into India's fastest-growing metropolis. The attacks on women are a symbolic rejection of the open-minded, modern India that they all want to be part of. "On the one hand, India is developing; on the other hand you're seeing a U-turn," says Jai Pais, a 21-year-old intern at the hotel. "You're going backward."

Frustration is a common theme in interviews with young people in many parts of India: they simply want a government that works. This was most clear in Mumbai after the November terrorist attacks in which nearly 200 people were killed. There was certainly anger directed at the terrorists and their sponsors, who are believed to be in Pakistan, but the more enduring feeling was disillusionment with the city's own inadequate response. Mihir Joshi, 28, is a DJ and musician in south Mumbai who says he has become politically active for the first time in his life because of "26/11." What still troubles him isn't the motivation of the terrorists. Instead, he wonders, "How could this happen? What is our system doing? How the hell did it take four days for this to be resolved?" he says. "That is what is appalling. How can we get someone in power that can make something happen?"

Skeptics say that the new activism of young urban voters is nothing more than an élite phenomenon, and that this Indian election, like nearly every one that has preceded it, will be decided by the masses in India's villages, who vote for the candidate most likely to bring them bijli, pani, sadak — power, water and roads. But even young people in rural areas are looking for something new: not just a better life, but a better system. Vikram Rai, for example, is a 29-year-old college lecturer in Darjeeling, in northeastern India, who can't understand why the water from the lush green countryside is only enjoyed by some people. He has had to buy all his water for the past five years — not just for drinking, but for every household need in the 100-year-old cottage that he shares with his wife, daughters and parents. "It's not like there is no water," he says. "But most of it is sourced out to VIPs and the big hotels for more money, and the taxpayers have to pay for that."

SOurce: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1893308,00.html

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Indian youth and new political initiatives

Slowly, the youth are coming forward to perticipate in politics...NO, not to make money (as their earlier generation)but to "contribute to the society"
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Source: The Hindu

Sarath stated “I was born and brought up in a slum in Madipakkam in Chennai. I have two elder sisters and two younger brothers and my mother was the sole breadwinner of the family.
It was really tough for my mother to bring up five kids on her meager salary. She sold Idlis in the mornings, worked for the mid-day meal at the school during daytime and taught at the adult education programme of the Indian government, thus doing three different jobs to bring us up and educate us.
My mother, according to me, is the most successful entrepreneur.
I did schooling in Kings Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Chennai,graduated in Chemical Engineering from BITS, Pilani and after working for 3 years in Polaris Softwares completed MBA from IIM Ahmedabad.”

The telegraph reported:
Ahmedabad, April 1: From helping his mother sell idlis on Chennai’s streets to starting his own catering business may not sound like a giant leap for a slum kid.
Unless, in between, he graduates from an IIM and turns down a corporate job offer.
When 27-year-old Sarath Babu, a software engineer and MBA, made his choice at this year’s placement on the Ahmedabad B-school campus, he was clear in his mind about two things.
One, he would chart his own course as an entrepreneur and two, he would continue to sell food like his mother Deeparamani, who still vends idlis to pedestrians in Chennai.
“Nobody would have imagined this 20 years ago,” said IIM Ahmedabad chairman N.R. Narayana Murthy, referring both to Sarath’s progress from a slum to the B-school and his rejection of a cushy job to start an unconventional business with little capital.
As he lit a lamp to inaugurate the Foodking Catering Service, Sarath’s firm in Ahmedabad, the Infosys boss, however, suggested how the young man could pay his mother an even more fitting tribute.

Compared with Deeparamani’s customers, Sarath’s usual clients would be somewhat more upscale: BPOs, pharmaceutical firms, multinational companies and college canteens. He says he plans to turn his company into a food chain that will be a “national brand” employing 50,000 people.But Murthy reminded him that millions of poor Indian children, from whose ranks he rose, never go to school let alone B-school and he needed to do his bit for them.
Why don’t you take up the mid-day meal scheme, which can lure underprivileged children to the classroom, the Infosys chief asked.
Sarath’s eyes seemed to moisten. “Sir, I’m happy to tell you that my mother has worked for the Tamil Nadu government’s mid-day meal scheme. She cooked mid-day meals in a nearby school and earned Rs 30 a day. She still sells idli in Chennai. That is how she brought me up and my two sisters and a brother,” he said in an emotional voice.
As the audience erupted in applause, Sarath rang up his 52-year-old mother and introduced her to Murthy.
A proud Deeparamani said she knew her son had declined a well-paying job but she was happy that he had chosen to be a caterer. “At least, he would be feeding people,” the mother said.
Sarath described how he had made it through school with help from a teacher who paid his fees. State government scholarships allowed him to get an engineering degree from BITS, Pilani, after which he worked with a software firm for about two years.
“In the last four decades, such a thing has never happened in IIM Ahmedabad,” institute director Bakul Dholakia declared.


Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060402/asp/nation/story_6046364.asp

Achievements
• Honorary Alumni XLRI, Jamshedpur
• Honorary Rotarian, Dist 3201


Awards
• PEPSI-MTV Youth Icon 2008 (earlier recipients were Mr. Anil Ambani, Rahul Dravid, Shah Rukh Khan, M. S. Dhoni)
• “Example to Youth Award 2008″, CHENNAI.


Other links about Sarath:

http://startupstarters.blogspot.com/2006/10/sarath-babu.html
http://iamchandru.blogspot.com/2006/03/sarath-babu-idly-kadai-iim-ahmedabad.html
http://www.iimaalumni.org/n/front/newsmakers/indexsub.asp?NMID=89
http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/cat-and-related-discussion/14780-know-your-iimite-sarath-babu.html
http://ia.rediff.com/money/2006/aug/31spec.htm

His website: http://sarathbabu.co.in/in/

WE WISH HIM ALL THE BEST


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The Alternative approach of Indian politics

And you thought Indian politics was all about 60-plus politicians whose only aim in life was to die rich and powerful, while at the same time, leave the nation in dire straits? Think again.

An article titled “Neither Left nor Right” appeared in Bangalore Times supplement of the Times of India dated 9th April 2009 (I am trying to find the article online – I will update this post with the permalink if and when I do find it). The article mentions several young-blood parties and organizations which aim to turn Indian politics on its head. They aim to follow an approach which is diametrically opposite to the one being followed currently. In essence, they all envision a corruption-free and equality-centric India – which are the seeds to economic development, safety and general prosperity.

I would say that this approach comes as a whiff of fresh air for those of us who are being fed the stale diet of political parties whose promises and actions will only take the nation down the doomsday highway.

A List of out-of-the-box-thinking political parties:

Here is a list of such new-age parties and organizations, what I have collectively termed as the Alternative Front (although these parties have not come together to actually form a “front” - more about this towards the end of the post). Please do visit the home links of these parties/organizations to know more about their history, mission, agenda and such.

Lok Paritran
Jago PartyBharat Punarnirman Dal (BPD)
Bharatiya Rashtravadi Samanata Party (BRSP)
Professionals Party of India (PPI)
Youth For Equality (not a political party)
JaagoRe (a website which helps people to register to vote)



A cursory glance through these sites reveals a common thread:

Most of them are development-oriented (both urban and rural).
Most of them promise accountability in politics.
Most of them believe that its not the politician – rather its the citizen who is at the centre of governance (both in terms of rights and responsibilities).
Most importantly, most of them shun the divide and rule policies of the current crop of politicians. They envisage a society in which everyone is equal– irrespective of religion, caste, gender, language or any other divisive factor which is currently being exploited.

Not Just more of “Those” Parties!

I know what you are thinking – does this mean we have half-a-dozen more parties to add to the rot which is Indian politics? On the contrary, or so I think (very strongly, if I may add).

In my opinion, these parties are different from the run-of-the-mill political parties we have grown used to. These parties have been formed by highly educated people, and in some cases, by people who have worked at the grass-roots level (albeit in a non-political capacity). Some of them have among their ranks, ex-professionals for whom accountability is the mantra.

I think we should give the this new-age politics a chance to prove its mettle. Some of the parties listed above have contested polls in the past. Some are fielding their candidates in the upcoming Parliamentary elections, including in Bangalore. I urge one and all to go through the web sites of various parties and seriously consider voting for their candidates. This is all the more important as in many constituencies, none of the “conventional” candidates are worth even a single vote!

But Why So Many Parties?

There is one caveat though. If these parties converge in their vision and thought process, then why so many parties? Make no mistake, they are up against behemoths. It is definitely going to be an uphill task to secure even a single Lok Sabha seat. When such is the case, why the fragmentation? Would it not be better if all of these parties came together to fight the might of the conventional parties? Of course, there is bound to be differences of opinion amongst them, but there will be room for all of that down the line.

The need of the hour is for these parties to come together and form an “Alternative Front” (I call it that for lack of a more creative name!). The need of the hour is to give the people of India a dose of this new-age governance model. The need of the hour is to give Indians the hope – that all is not lost, that there are parties with honestly patriotic intentions.

I can promise that once the public sees first hand, the benefits of this model, they will never go back to vote for petty politics. And this is where the beauty of the new model lies – once people get used to all-round development, the competition among the parties will increase – to be more competitive, to give more to the nation, to take the country faster on the path to development!

Hoping, in the near term, that the Alternative Front materializes, and even if it does not, that these alternative parties are successful in winning at least a handful of seats in the upcoming elections.

Hoping, in the longer term, that development and equality become the pillars of Indian politics.

Source: http://www.hopehorizons.in/2009/04/alternative-approach-to-indian-politics.html

Indian youth and politics