Dr. Parveen Kumar
India is now the most populous country in the world surpassing China. One major advantage of being the most populated country in the world is the major share of youth in the total population of the country. India is now home to a fifth of the world’s youth population. This is referred to as the demographic dividend. Demographic dividend is the accelerated economic growth that may result from a rapid decline in a country’s fertility and the subsequent change in the population age structure. With fewer births each year, a country’s working-age population grows larger in relation to the young dependent population. With more people in the labor force and fewer young people to support, a country has a window of opportunity for rapid economic growth if the right social and economic investments and policies are made in health, education, governance, and the economy. In addition, the overall rate of literacy among India’s youth has increased, with approximately 90 percent being able to read or write. Coupled with the prevalence of social media and internet penetration, this has created a digitally savvy population. With internet access and affordable smart phones, these young people are accessing online resources that encourage learning and acquisition of skills.
Investments in today’s youth population can position a country to achieve a demographic dividend, but the gains are neither automatic nor guaranteed. National Youth Day is a manifestation of the country’s commitment to channelize this vast pool of young talent in the country in positive way where they can contribute to the development of the country
History of National Youth Day: A social reformer, philosopher and thinker, Swami Vivekananda born on Jan.12, 1863 was also one of India’s greatest leaders and believers of youth power. He pushed for national integration in colonial India and his famous speech remains as the one that he gave in Chicago in 1893. He introduced Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western World. He was extremely patriotic towards India and is considered a hero for his contributions to the philosophies of his country. He also drew attention to the wide-spread poverty in India and for the development of the country, the poverty issues should be taken seriously.
He is best known for his speech at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in 1893 when he began his speech while saying ‘Sisters and brothers of America…..’ and he introduced India’s culture, its importance, Hinduism, etc. and in which he had laid special emphasis on building capacity of the youths. He was a man of wisdom, faith, a true philosopher whose teachings not only motivated youth but also paved the way for the development of the country. Swami Vivekananda stands as a universal icon of youth who always believe the eternal energy of the youth Owing to his contribution for the cause of youth, the Government of India in 1984 decided to celebrate the birthday of great Swami Vivekananda, i.e. 12 January, as National Youth Day every year.
Since then, from 1985, National Youth Day is observed across the country without fail. The Government of India quoted that ‘ the philosophy of Swamiji and the ideals for which he lived and worked could be a great source of inspiration for the National Youth Day. The main objective behind the celebration is to propagate the philosophy and the ideals of Swami Vivekananda for which he lived and worked.
No doubt he was a great inspiration for all National Youth of India. Across the country, several functions are organized in schools, colleges, etc.
Significance: Swami Vivekananda always focused immensely on harnessing the potential of the youth. He wanted to inspire the young generation so that they could counter the British and attain Independence. Swami Vivekananda weapons of winning the world were education and peace. He always portrayed himself as a ‘Nationalist Saint’ who wanted the youth to get out of their comfort zones and achieve absolutely anything they desire. His aspiration was to motivate the youth to an extent that they start voicing the changes they desire and ultimately accomplish them.
Theme: Every year the day is celebrated with a different theme. This year the theme of National Youth Day 2025 is ‘Empowering Youth for Nation Building’ Every year different themes revolve around youth, channelizing their energy in positive direction, manifesting the perfection present in them and to bring out their innate potential. Skill Development: To tap the potential of this demographic dividend, it is essential to skill our youths so that their energy can be channelized constructively and productively. The present government under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi is focusing more on skill development of Youth. For this many programmes have been launched and many policies have been made to promote youth in agriculture.
A different Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSD&E) has been created and entrusted with the task of skilling India. The government has set up the National Skill Development Corporation to provide skill related training to millions of individuals. For this, the government is also promoting private sector in skill training programmes besides providing funds for them.
The Pradhan Mantri Koushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is an important programme in this direction. Skill Training of Rural Youth aims to skill rural youth in different activities like vermi compost, mushroom, cutting and tailoring, processing and value addition and this is being done through KVKs. The government’s prestigious Start-up programme has also revolutionized the agriculture sector; with the necessary skills, credit facilities and hand holding by Agri-business incubators set up across different universities in the country, many youths have come forward to set their own agriculture related enterprises and become job providers instead of job seekers.
These steps have restored the faith of youth in agriculture as remunerative and attractive enterprise. Disruptive technologies, manufacturing automation and internet-based services and sales have influenced a start-up culture, creating more opportunities that young and qualified Indians are tapping. India’s large population is also a market for these young entrepreneurs who are creating services such as healthcare, wellness, fitness, teaching etc. Coupled with various government initiatives youths have left their high paid jobs in foreign countries and returned back to country to set up employment generating units ultimately resulting in increased employment opportunities for others also. These young people are driving a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship and diversity.
At such a critical time, when the world is grappling with a host of challenges like climate change, degradation of natural resources and COVID-19, the National Youth Day reinforces our commitment for engaging youth in all the vital sectors of our economy to transform the country to a developed one that can show the way forward to the world. Youths have now been duly acknowledged for the efforts they play. There is a need to further create inclusive support mechanisms that ensure youth continue to amplify efforts collectively and individually to restore the planet and protect life, while integrating biodiversity in the transformation of food systems.
(The author writes on agriculture and social issues)