A Message for the Youth of India before elections

Soul Space magazine

The Life of Young India.

“Whatever!” drawled the teenager sipping his iced latte, which was worth more than a maid’s daily wages. He was referring to my telling him how coffee shops and vegetable vendors were using too much plastic. Is this the new generation? They show angst on Twitter, break up with each other on Facebook, and give up after trying just once. But they seem to have enough money to buy endless cups of coffee and eat out every night. I sincerely hope not.

I agree there are too many issues to tackle. From corruption to environment, food prices to petrol, education to employment, the country is ridden with such a heavy burden that the “whatever” seems to be the easiest way to deal with it. I have just one thing to say to the youngsters of India: Don’t give up!

“Why should we clean up the mess your generation has made?” snapped the youngster. I sighed thinking he might be right. It has been our and an earlier generation that has encouraged the evils to live. The forces of power that could have changed for good have used the money to better their own lives with careless disregard for the younger generation. And there have been many who have tried and failed to make that change. The youngsters have a point.

But maybe you’ve heard it before. Maybe it seems like a cliché. Maybe you are just too tired. But you know there is a nagging feeling within you to do something. Anything. Start small. See the change in you. You don’t need to join a movement. You don’t even need to preach. You just need to believe in the change. You’re not “cleaning up” our mess. You’re doing it for yourself. Don’t you want a better life? So what if the earlier generation was stupid? Does that make you one as well? You have two choices: Either you can sit on your ass and sip that latte until things blow up in your face or you can start using that bit of time and money for a fund that could move the government and mobilize people to hear you. You can make that difference.

“Koi nahin suntan hai (No one listens,” said the teenager trying to wiggle his way out. You know what? I’m not convinced! YOU start caring again. Maybe you won’t drink in that plastic glass. Maybe you can give a lift to someone in your car that’s already guzzling gas. Maybe you’ll donate to more charities, give more of your time to old age homes or do something more than just make money.

Life does change. You make it change. Because YOU are our hope. We are too old to fight. You need to do it for us, for yourself, for an unborn generation. You need to believe that you will be the Prime Minister. Believe that you are already. Don’t give up. Don’t let brickbats change you. See the larger picture and start changing the details. I have full faith in you. I will join your movement. You have my vote.