YOUNG BLOOD FOR SENIOR INDIA THE COUNTRY DESPERATELY NEEDS NEW LEADERS IF WE WANT TO SEE THE DYNAMIC CHANGES SOON

YOUNG BLOOD FOR SENIOR INDIA

THE COUNTRY DESPERATELY NEEDS NEW LEADERS IF WE WANT TO SEE THE DYNAMIC CHANGES SOON

    With India entering its 64th Republic Day, the age of the country seems coincidental with the age of its leaders. Our nation today is governed by senior citizens and the youth seems to feel far away from having a voice.
    "We are not belittling the experience of seniors but if India is our future, we too would like to have a say in the manner in which the country is governed," says 28 year-old Ajay Mehta. Though one does see a few young faces in the form of Aditya Thackeray, Rahul Gandhi, Milind Deora, Akhilesh Yadav and Sachin Pilot, India needs many more agile hands to give it a new lease of dynamism.
    Our politicos may be pledging growth, but the need of the hour is the greater youth participation. "The country desperately needs young leaders who personify energy, enthusiasm, morality and diligence," says a 32 year-old Vikas Motvani. He further adds, "We have indubitably progressed a lot in the last so many years but, the pace of development would have been completely different had some young torchbearers led the progress march."
    What is it that prevents the youth from taking an active initiative? Why has the college politics of the 60s and 70s died down? "The youth today are not interested in actively participating in the political arena. We are content with what we are doing and the commercial avenues open to us," says 25 year-old Kavita Raje.
    But, that does not hold true for the majority of the country's youth, considering the voices of discontent that are shouting out loud on online social networks. Youngsters are making their discontent towards corruption cases, or the crime cases against women. "The youth of modern India are aware of the problems facing the country and the world at large. Given a
    chance
they would be ready to change the political condition of the country for the better," says social activist Anand Mody.
    What is it that stops them? Is it the fact that there are not enough opportunities for the young leaders to enter and create their own name? That the legacy of the old political dynasty has hardly given way? "We need
people who think differently and can bring about dynamic changes in the system by breaking the set norms. And this can only be done by a fresh bunch of youngsters with no legacy behind them," states Gaurang Damani, who contested the elections independently but unfortunately couldn't make it.
    Give the youth a chance and watch out for a new India.
THE YOUNG SOLUTIONS Approximately 65 as the set retirement age for politicians. A basic educational qualification. No ticket to people with serious criminal backgrounds. Encourage youth to contribute to society in other ways outside the political arena. For example, educate people about their rights and duties or simply raise awareness about various social evils.