Dear Editor,
Jan Dhan Yojana launched by Modi Govt to promote financial inclusion of underprivileged was welcomed by one and all. It was hailed as a game changer for the poor people caught in the vicious circle of poverty to live with dignity by encouraging them to chart their own course instead of depending on the Govt doles perpetually. It is in this context I want to take a leaf out of this and extend to millions of youth the ways and means of financial independency. Such mechanisms as shown below empowering the monetary emoluments would help the youth who strive to continue their education amidst financial hardships.
Part time employment – Summer jobs, apprenticeships, week-end and evening employment are few ways of enhancing financial gains of youth as prevalent in the western countries. Successful part time employment in the Indian context depends to a great extent on the availability of such opportunities in the market, respect for blue collared jobs and dignity for any sort of work. Tutoring students fall in this category.
Internships/fellowships in universities/colleges – Apart from providing monetary benefits to economically weaker student community, these would help in overcoming the deficiency of teaching staff and also in improving the teacher-student ratio in most of the Indian institutions.
Inculcating financial management right from student days – The culture of pocket money if properly monitored and accounted would help the student community to develop financial management right from student days.
Scholarships by Govt – Scholarship for economically weaker students linked with academic performance would motivate certain deserving students. In any case, budgetary constraints by Govt is a limitation in this regards and Govt can pass the burden to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of private sector making it mandatory to employ a minimum 1 to 2 per cent in their annual turnovers and consequent tax rebates on such expenditure.
Mobilisation of student community – Govt can explore options such as paid home guards and scouts for traffic controlling, awareness campaigns on ongoing Govt social benefit programs etc. These measures would alleviate the Govt to make up acute deficiency in police staff without straining the Govt exchequer to a great extent.
Promotion of Short Service Commission – Employment in armed services and para-military forces on three to five year short service commission would infuse young talent into security establishment. On completion of compulsory service, these youngsters can go back to civilian establishment with certain reservations and relaxation of eligilibility criteria such as maximum age requirement etc. This would be a win-win situation for youngsters getting good pay and in turn Govt getting the services of energetic youth without pension
liabilities.
Shreya Gupta
Jammu