Youth is the most powerful resource on the earth. The quality and the strength of a nation lie in the hands of youth. Therefore empowerment of youth is must for the future of a nation .As has been experienced in the past the energetic youth can do the greatest of things if they are offered proper guidance and quality education. The present generation finds itself in very different atmosphere than the past and is confront with more obstacles and challenges. The power of youth can never be harnessed. It is like a gushing stream or a mighty river which follows its course no matter how big are the obstacles. The power of youth if properly channelized and controlled could bring transformation in humanity for its progress. In the words of James youth is the joy, the little birds that have broken out of the eggs and is eagerly waiting to spread out its wings in the open sky of freedom ad hope. Today the power of youth has totally disrupted the entire world and the happiness of one class has been snatched by the upper class. Mostly the power of youth has been used for creating war hysteria in different parts of the world and consequently their dreams have been shattered. The life of present generation of youth is full of challenges as discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, language, and gender continues to haunt them.
Though Kashmir has all the natural sources to bloom its talent of the youth which requires creativity and proper guidance. In the Kashmir valley every day boys are pursuing the paths of violence only because of the wrong policies of both the state as well central governments. Everyone has a dream here and want to move forward but the conflict is mother of all ill in this part of the world. According to the global peace index south Asia is the most violent region in the world which is marked by internal conflicts. Kashmir has demographically never been as young as spirited as today. Kashmir youth have grown up in the years of the blood and gore and this Himalayan border state is known for its difficult past.
The youth of Kashmir, despite facing unemployment and poverty never let the state down at any point. The issue of grave public concern is the increasing frustration among the jobless youth of Kashmir.
The present generation has no fear of gun and this generation seems more bold and argumentative than the previous generations. Presently the state has achieved 2nd ranking in two key areas including education and environment. Education has made them less susceptible to manipulation and exploitation by mainstream politicians and the separatists who claim to represent them. The youth of Kashmir, despite facing unemployment and poverty never let the state down at any point. The issue of grave public concern is the increasing frustration among the jobless youth of Kashmir.
The frustration is genuine but unfortunately the present government is in deep slumber. This is the right time to look towards the problems of youth and such it has become imperative for the incumbent government to review and redefine its policies to suit the aspirations of six lakh jobless youth presently hunting for jobs in both public and as well as private sectors. Unfortunately no one bothers to take care of the priorities of the present day Kashmir youth who yearn for peace, prosperity and a welfare state.
(The author is a regular contributor of the edit page of English Daily “Kashmir Horizon”. The views of the author are his own)
