Youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow but also the partners of today so we should consider them to be our strength, says Rajyogi Brahmakumar Nikunj Ji
The youth, in the current social set-up, are deprived of opportunities of growth and participation in the affairs of the family, the state and society. Therefore, it is thought that they are disappointed, disillusioned and restless. This is one of main reasons why they indulge in violence and destructive activities.
In 2009, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming the year commencing August 12, 2010 as the “International Year of Youth” to draw the attention of society and the state towards the aspirations and problems of youth and the need to provide them with better facilities and opportunities. The spirit behind this idea was undoubtedly laudable but the question here is: What are our definitions of the terms “growth,” “development” and “participation” used in the theme selected by the UN. This question is crucial because currently, the main emphasis is on economic, social, political and even physical aspects of these three “key words” neglecting it’s moral and spiritual sides. Our policy makers do not usually realise that a person cannot be happy and satisfied if their moral growth and spiritual development are neglected. Hence, a man may grow physically and financially but he might not have enough spiritual and moral knowledge. This, in turn, might force him into substance abuse or other harmful ways to relieve stress. It is, therefore, of utmost importance that the moral and the spiritual growth form the base of all other kinds of growth and development.
A great leader, Mahatma Gandhi, believed in transforming youth into a cadre of inspiring and competent role models and change agents with the courage of conviction. This too will trigger the process of building a healthy nation. Remember, a nation which allows its youth to travel on the path of indiscipline, violence and disrespect, unwittingly permits itself to be a state of chaos. The youth are like a double-edged sword that can be used to destroy an enemy or spread terror in their own territory by sabre-rattling. Hence, if they are instigated to wreck national property, question their teachers and indulge in acts of arson and rampage at the slightest provocation, then, they would become an army who will pull down the structure of their nation without any remorse.
Let us, therefore, be wiser to consider our youth to be our strength and our prospective nation-builders, for, “they are not only the leaders of tomorrow but also the partners of today.”