Among the seven stages of manthat the Bard of Avondiscussed at length, youth

comes somewhere around the thirdand the fourth. Here, Shakespearepictures the young man as beingperpetually in love and of a slightlyolder version “seeking the bubblereputation even in the cannon’smouth.” Both these describe theyouth of today.

The state board has introducedthis delightful concept of the ‘oral’exam as different from the ‘written’exam, which was, till two years ago,the sole deciding factor of astudent’s grade in languages. Thereason why I call it ‘delightful’ isthat it is for the first time, in thewhole year, that I see kids who aresupposed to be my students.Secondly, what they say in responseto certain questions are a revelationin themselves.

I have come to know students, who

teach kids who can’t afford to go toschool, who spend time working atold-age homes, who train children indance and coach them in sports, allfree of charge and without anydesire for publicity. Owing to theblitzkrieg of information providedby the media and the internet, youngpeople are aware of what ishappening around them. I have beenprivileged to meet severalyoungsters and listened to themspeak, in admiration borderingsometimes on awe, to some of thethings they reveal. These youngpeople are all working and studyingat the same time.

Despite what is said about them,teenagers and young people areneither world-weary nor totallycynical and blasé. Most of them arestrong, clear-headed and knowexactly what they want in life. Weare not talking about “wading thru’slaughter to the throne” here. We are

talking about a swathe of societythat thinks through causes andconsequences, that yearns forfinancial and emotionalindependence and are not afraid ofstanding up and being counted. Acase in point is the phenomenalsuccess of the ‘Meter Jam’ campaignin Mumbai and the ‘Pink Chaddi’campaign in Delhi.

Youth also wields a different kindof power now. They lubricate themachinery that contributes largelyto the power of the clichéd and over-used words, ‘India shining,’supposed to describe the ‘India-phenomenon’. Heads of institutions,academic and otherwise are gettingyounger. Hopefully, politicians willfollow suit. Most of the Indiantourists you meet on trips abroad areyoung people, compared to thedroves of tourists from othercountries. Like Bruce Almighty, they“have the power.”

NEERU AGARWAL

Vice Principal, St Anne’s High School (Fort)

Two words, power and youth, are made for each other.The youth today, dream big and work to realise thesame. School, of course, is where the foundations

are laid and characters built. It's not just the physicalstrength, but also the mental faculties and socialresponsibilities that count. Young minds have aheightened spirit of exploration and adventure. As youngscientists, doctors, engineers, school teachers andadministrators, they are the builders of a modern, strongand vibrant India.

Year after year, the tiny tots are entrusted in the care oftheir teachers. They blossom, evolve and leave the portalsof their alma mater empowered. I can say with utmostpride that the youth have repaid the trust reposed in them.It is they, who should be credited for making Indiaeconomically strong and respected globally. I have alsoexperienced a marked change in the youth of yesterdayand today. There was a time when a teacher's word was theGospel's truth, with total submission, acceptance andobedience. However, today they aren't afraid to contradict.They are bold, fearless, extremely confident, progressiveand needless to say, very independent. They respectauthority but prefer a friendly approach.

Having said all this, one cannot ignore the duties andresponsibilities of the young generation. They shoulddeploy their energies and enthusiasm in a productivemanner and should contribute to the well being andprosperity of the entire community without gettingcarried away by petty considerations. While imitating thewestern culture is alright, they should not submitthemselves to it completely. Instead, they should anchortheir thinking and character in the Indian culture, thathas a long tradition and has withstood the passage of time.

Youth, once gone will never return and so they mustmake the best of the present opportunities.

MANJU NICHANI

Principal, KC College

choose from an array of options, unlikeearlier when choices were limited toarts, commerce and science. Unlike theBMM courses available today, earlierthere was nothing like a specialisationin mass media. Options like these helpthem make practical career decisions ata very young age. Initially, it was allabout written exams but today, thesecourses require students to speak upand challenge critical thinking.

Another change in the youth is theirstrong organisational skills. A notableexample is that of college fests.Students today have taken college feststo new heights. They are now morecommercialised and aesthetic. Acombination of practical learning andfun, it teaches them team work,marketing, healthy competition andethics. They also make the best of whattechnology has to offer.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that'New India' is being built in our schoolsand colleges. The youth of today hasput their best foot forward and is readyto learn, take risks and move on.

PRAJODH RAJAN

Director, Education Services, EuroKids

Youth is power in itself. A few statistical facts from a

recently released report elaborate the incredible

potential of the youth in India. Forty seven per cent of

India's current one billion plus population is under the age of

20; teenagers among them number about 160 million. Already,

they wield $2.8 billion worth of discretionary income and

their families spend an additional $3.7 billion on them every

year. By 2015, Indians under 20 will make up 55% of the

population and there is a need to harness this resource.

Education plays a vital role and I strongly believe that as

educators it is our responsibility to develop them in the most

meaningful manner. The youth in India is potent enough to

catapult India to a superpower status.The youth of today is strong. With age, exposure, right

stimulation and education, the youth's personality canevolve. As parents and educators, we must ensure thatstudents are provided with the correct stimulatingenvironment so that all-round development is possible. The

youth, would then become a rich human resource for thenation and contribute meaningfully to the society; theprocess of which has already begun. Their analyticalthinking allows them to adapt to technological advances,which in turn facilitates them to explore.

Right from pre-school, the use of technology seems to be onan all-time high, the basic being the use of audio-visual aidsin all schools. Use of computers, LCD screens and smartclasses as learning aids enable children to not onlyexperience technology but also acquire knowledge.

When thinking of the power that the kids of today have, anumber of incidents and experiences come to my mind. Theyare confident, yet subtle. An incident that I remember is thatof a small child named Sonia. She was in her kindergartenprogramme when one day she broke a toy in the class. Whenthe teacher realised and questioned her, Sonia promptlystood up and said, "Teacher, I broke it. I am sorry." Thisincident is too simple to narrate but too significant tooverlook. I was proud to know that the effort we put in toimpart the right education to children and build them up ashonest and fearless citizens is successful. Kudos to the powerof youth!

satisfaction and self-respect. They haveset and thoroughly researched goals. Irequest parents to be patient, becauseevery child has a skill that needs to benurtured and not buried underexpectations. Their perspective to lifehas considerably widened, thanks tomass media and the overall exposurethey receive. They are in search of anopportunity to implement ideas thatcan bring about a paradigm shift insociety.

Technology has given them thepower to communicate at the click of abutton. They broadcast messages,share content and stories and evenhost and support causes throughmediums like BBM, Facebook or asimple 140-character tweet. Idols havechanged too. Mark Zuckerberg andSteve Jobs are ruling the global scene,while a small town lad turned captainof the Indian cricket team, MahendraSingh Dhoni, is a popular local hero.

Despite living in nuclear families,they make efforts to stay connected toeven their distant families throughFacebook. Change has been thebuzzword for a while now and it is theyouth, who has the power to bringabout this change. Believe in them.

SUMA NARAYAN

English professor, Mithibai College

It will be the youthof India who willchange the nation.

They are our biggeststrength and hope.Our perceptiontowards them hasn'tchanged, whichmakes it difficult forus to accept thechange in them.

Today, students can

Ibelieve in theyouth and theirpower at large.

They realise theimportance ofeducation, continuouslearning and multipleskill sets. Youth, thesedays, study and workat the same time andsometimes, take abreak because theywant to acquire awhole new skill set.

Money is importantto them, but moreimportant is

MOKSH JUNEJA

Professor and founder, Avignyata Inc,Social Media Marketing Consultancy

THE FUTURE IS BECKONING, BRIGHTAND EXCITING BUT, IT IS UP TO THEYOUTH TO GRASP THE OPPORTUNITYWITH BOTH HANDS

EDUCATION TIMES, MONDAY JUNE 20, 2011 06

Youth is happy because it has the ability to see beauty. Anyonewho keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old ~ F Kafka

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