Ranjan K Baruah
(The writer is a recipient of National Youth Award in the year 2014 from Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India for his outstanding services to the community)
Youths are the powerhouse of any society. Young people can do many things either in a positive way or negative way. It depends on how young people are being mentored in their families or in academic institutions or in society. There is confusion amongst us when we use the word 'youth'. Well, the definition of youth may vary from country to country. According to the United Nations youth means young people between the age group of 15 and 24. According to the National Youth Policy (NYP), a young person up to the age of 29 is a youth in India.
The NYP 2021 draws a detailed roadmap towards the vision outlined for the youth in the coming decade and delineates the actions within each priority area. One of the important days for the young people of India is the celebration of National Youth Day (NYD). NYD, also known as Vivekananda Jayanti, is celebrated on 12th January, the birthday of Swami Vivekananda. In 1984, the Government of India declared this day as NYD and since 1985 the event has been celebrated in India every year. We should not be in confusion as 12th August is observed as International Youth Day around the world. Swami Vivekananda's teachings and quotes have always been a source of inspiration for the youth.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the National Youth Festival in Karnataka today. This is the 26th National Youth Festival of India. The festival was kicked off by PM Modi in the Hubbali district of the Southern state. Apart from this, schools and colleges from across India conducted different competitions, conferences, seminars, etc.
Press Information Bureau's press release dated 10th January reads, "The National Youth Festival is held every year to provide exposure to our talented youth at the national level, along with galvanizing them towards nation building. It brings diverse cultures from all parts of the country on a common platform and unites the participants in the spirit of Ek Bharat and Shreshtha Bharat. This year, the Festival is being held in Hubballi-Dharwad in Karnataka from the 12th to the 16th of January, with the theme being "Viksit Yuva - Viksit Bharat".
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is organizing 'Y Talks' throughout the country for Y (Youth)-20 activities of G20. The National Youth Festival will set the pace for Y-20 engagement across the country by sensitizing the youth about the themes of Y-20. This year the NYF is being celebrated as Green Youth Festival where only reusable cutlery, napkins etc., are being used. All the mementoes, medals, and stationery are of reusable material. Water refilling stations are set up to reduce the use of disposables.
This year's theme of 'Viksit Yuva - Viksit Bharat' means developed youth means developed India and to make our youths developed we have to take up different activities on a regular basis. Indian youths can wonder and lead the world in many aspects provided if they are mentored positively. Our youths are always proactive and they need proper mentoring and guidance at the right time. If the energy of youths is used for destructive activities then India cannot develop easily.
Sustainable Development Goals can be achieved when the youth take part in different civic action programmes and volunteer activities apart from their studies and profession. Skill development is a must for all youths of the country to make India a superpower in the years to come. Let us learn from the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and all others who have done many activities for the welfare of youths.
Together we can make a healthy and developed nation, so let us take up the challenge to be a change-maker and bring positive social transformation to society. Let us not forget that youths are not 'useless but they are used less', so let us use youths in different activities to make a developed country.