New Year Resolution for Orissan youth
Shun dependence like attitude and work hard for the development
By Rupak Johnson
By not wanting to make any effort in effecting changes in the sagging economy of the State, the Odissan youths have stained their image to the extent of being labeled as ‘lazy bones’. Due to an attitude of indifference toward the surrounding world and its activities, they are in a vegetative state with a complete lack of understanding about the changing ‘world order’ in terms of economy and its geo-political equations. They have failed to understand the fall-out of these changes on national as well as state economy.
Active participation of youth is responsible for driving the wheels of economy in a state and taking it to a higher level. States like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana and Punjab have been on the progress path because of their youth work-force. The youth in Odisha need to have an analytical approach for recognizing the need for a change in their perception on vital issues that concern the State; by perpetuating the tendency of unaccountability, they have gone into a state of lingering dormancy.
This attitude has become an endemic ‘disease’ with far-reaching effects; the current downturn has already diminished the prospects of employment for the youths of the state; those who had jobs are now dependent on parents and those who consider themselves as bright are in a hopeless situation. They are hardly capable of landing jobs within the state! Where does the problem lie? Where is the youth energy being wasted?
Combined youth energy is required to galvanize the process of industrialization and modernization in the state and the process can get momentum only when the youths have the desire to contribute. The natural resources are not being utilized properly for the development of the state. A collective youth power with a right approach can chart the development of Odisha.
At such a time when the ruling government is embroiled in mining scam issue and the reports of farmers’ suicide point to a larger problem, the youths need to wake up from slumber and engage themselves proactively to be the change agents in state-building.
Shouldn’t they understand the changing dynamics of politics in the country? Aren’t they aware of the hardships and miseries of their own people working in different states in the country? The lack of opportunities within a state is due to the unwillingness of its youths to engage themselves in economic activities. Earning respect for their own land is within their reach. But the seed of pride for the soil has not taken root as yet. What ails the Orissan youth?
Odisha Youth: A perspective
The youth in Odisha have not learnt to ‘take the bull by the horns’; they rather love to indulge in ‘cock-and-bull story’. By choosing to drift into that hypnogogic state of mind where logic and reason are replaced by dreamy imagination, the youth brain has turned into a lump of flesh with no definable shape. How could a State like Odisha afford to rise from the abysmal growth when its youth manpower is physically defunct and mentally incapacitated?
The youth is unwilling to come out of ‘comfort zone’ and is reluctant to explore the possibilities beyond set boundaries. They think in set patterns, behave in set patterns and live in set patterns. It’s rather a collective state of indulgence and a luxurious indolence the youths are so fond of. In other words, they have stopped thinking; they are averse to the ides of exploring the possibilities beyond a point.
Odisha is far behind in economic progress when compared to other States like Andhra or Gujarat or Haryana. The ruling party understands the ineffectiveness of its plans and programs for development sans youths and therefore its leaders are trying to engage them in State-building. But, their efforts have failed to evoke any response. Why? Because when these very youths move out to other parts of the country for career purposes, they show persistence and hard-working efforts in doing anything. They adapt themselves according to the changing environment and work culture.
A study into the behavior pattern of youths reveals another aspect of their lethargic attitude— a lack of sentiment or pride for their own State! They do not feel strongly for their homeland and therefore they do not want to invest their time and energy in doing any constructive work. Once they acquire education, they start nurturing a desire to move out of the state at any given opportunity.
Third and importantly, the collective youth attitude is very casual and laid-back; they prefer very relaxed and easygoing life even to the extent of postponing or canceling their pre-fixed assignments! They feel discomforted by the notion of giving trouble to their body and therefore they master the art of procrastination! Since they attach importance to comfort, they don’t like to follow the formal official line and would rather prefer getting their work done through ‘short-cut’ methods. In such a case, it’s a herculean task for the rulers of the state to channelize the youth energy in a proper direction.
What lies ahead?
The youth energy needs to be mobilized for shaping the sagging economy of the state. For this to happen, the political parties must shed their differences and come to a common platform for a dialogue. This is a necessary step to evolve a mechanism of diplomacy to approach the issue objectively. Odisha is reeling under economic downturn and the recent mining scam and the unabated farmers’ suicides have further compounded the situation. The youths require a proper understanding of these burning issues and their implications. Sadly, they are deprived of any participation in the political process and therefore they are unaware of the fallout of these happenings. They need to educate themselves politically for empowerment; they need to ensure their rights and privileges; they need to stake their rightful claims from the government. And this is possible primarily through political education.
Secondly, the youth must shun the negative legacy. It’s a must for the youths to learn not to make a claim over things which do not belong to them. The youths need to break free from this mindset which has been in existence for the past several hundred years. Wouldn’t it be termed as an unabashed act if someone usurps someone’s work or claims positions without being worthy? Or tries partaking of the harvest without putting in any labour? It is a parasite like attitude which is hazardous for the growth of a unit, organization or a state. Pulling down others, leg-pulling is easy and it can be termed as Crab mentality. It is also a sign of low confidence.
It is high time for the youth to learnt to stand up on their own and be counted. It’s a matter of collective effort, a team work. And, Orissan youth should take a pledge in the new year to work hard for the holistic development of their Home state.
[The author teaches personality development courses to the management and engineering students. Please send your comments and suggestions at janatavikasmanch@gmail.com]