The youth of the country needs to be mobilised for productive pursuits. Burdening them is not the correct way. Patiently, a few requirements have to be met for best results
Ministry of HRD, Government of India, is concerned about the rise in suicidal tendencies in students of elite institutions. Twenty two suicides in six years in one of the oldest premier technical institutes of this country is a grim pointer that all is not well. And this is just an example. There are more cases. Can we call this a case of premature burnoutIJ In the absence of any appropriate nomenclature, yes.
Usually burnout is expected in adults who have multiple responsibilities to shoulder and many roles to play at the same time. Such situations are not expected in students studying to build a career. Naturally, it is the excessive competitive streak that is taking its toll. If something is not done in right earnest, urgently things may take a nasty turn. Our so called demographic advantage may not be there after all.
India is on the verge of a youth revolution of sorts given the overwhelmingly large young population that the country has today. But is that enoughIJ Can it be translated to competitive advantage without any further effortsIJ Perhaps not. We need to find out how to convert this into demographic dividends.
Undoubtedly, this segment has tremendous potential. This is the reason why all political parties today are courting the youth and proclaiming to be championing their cause. Young and old leaders alike are addressing the youth. It was about them that Rabindranath Tagore had once said, “Age considers, youth ventures”. But this venturing youth needs to be given a direction and should be enabled to give India the competitive advantage that we are desirous of acquiring.
The youth have the desire, the energy and the courage to take to the streets for improving their country and their lot. Today they have assumed considerable significance for governments and policy makers. They have occupied centre stage in policy formulation. But there is need to ponder to find out whether this youth is venturing in the right direction or just adventuring. And what needs to be done.
The first requirement is to bring those young people closer to the real world. Their obsession with the virtual world has cut them off from reality. The pressure to compete, win, survive and thrive has driven them into a ghetto of their own making. They must desire to win but certainly be ready to lose also. The youth are impatient and in a hurry. They must be tempered to accept that life is a mixed bag. looking for solution to everything in economics has made them too materialistic and their excessive practicality has made them impractical.
The answer has to be found in Psychology. To be more specific, in attitude — the way they look at the world. The essence lies in two things — balance and simplicity. Balance is the core of Buddha’s philosophy, the middle path. And simplicity is Tagore’s answer to the complexities of life. The young people need to reframe their idea of life. life is not a struggle as they perceive. life is not about competition only. It is to be lived. It is not also a series of outcomes. It is beyond competition. It is about fulfillment and self actualisation.
The writer is a professor, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad (Jharkhand). He can be reached at ppathak.ism@gmail.com