Thursday 6 October 2011

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How the youth is creating the, new India

“Just as energy is the basis of life itself, and ideas the source of innovation, so is innovation the vital spark of all human change, improvement and progress”.
It is appropriate that Theodore Levitt, an american economist who popularised the term globalisation provided the best single line perspective on the primary fuel for the 21st century’s world.

Innovation is that ephemeral, ancient human ability to spark change. It began millions of years ago and continues today in dramatically more complex form as we fashion  computer circuits from sand, electricity from water and endless opportunities from thin air. And this is precisely where the power of young India lies. And this undoubtedly forms the bedrock of the great edifice that we call as the “Yuva Shakti”.The youth of India have catalysed an innovation revolution which has helped transform India from the world’s backoffice into a leading knowledge hub. Youth are driving change in a spectrum of areas – from education to business to the environment.

But where did the magic happen? The answer lies in the ability of  young Indians to rise above all hurdles the government and society throws at them. Despite limitations imposed by weak infrastructure and an antiquated education system,  Indian youths have never lagged behind when called upon to meet any challenge. And herein lies India’s greatest innovation.There are numerous untold stories of young entrepreneurs silently giving india a steely new cutting edge. Whether in automobiles,chemicals or in telecommunications, a new , new India is emerging with a palette of more colours, stronger and more vibrant.

Contrary to popular notions,innovation need not involve sparkling new technologies. Rather the beauty of the Indian genius lies in it being able to repurpose an existing technology well enough to fit the needs of people who need it the most. Indian youth have encountered challenges in starting up businesses, enabling social change, gaining capital, cultivating citizen engagement, and facilitating innovation in the public sector – and they have addressed them. They have invented new models and approaches and have brought about innovative solutions to challenges related to entrepreneurship, education, and civic participation, as well as public sector and social innovation.
Even in the times of slowdown, the Indian talent supply was able to catch up with demand. Additionally thanks to the combination of recession in the U.S. and that of country’s flawed immigration policies there’s a flood of highly educated and skilled talent returning home to India.

Although young Indians are creating change in different fields and spaces,they often find that risk taking, innovating and following one’s dreams are neither encouraged, nor appreciated or supported. Parents, teachers, peers encourage and sustain a culture that favours professional achievements over ‘playing with ideas’, paycheck security over ‘dynamic work’. Young Indians are encouraged to eschew risks and follow well-trodden, ‘safe’ paths to jobs, security and prosperity. These cultural and societal aspects have led to a whole generation of risk-averse young people, who though full of ideas, shelve them in the pursuit of secure and ‘socially respected’ career highways. Innovation is left behind on the nondescript side-roads.

What we fail to see is that youth of India are the heirs apparent of this vast and diverse nation. Youth power is a recognized force in the world.  They are critical to the shaping of  India’s economic future. Therefore, the development process of a next-generation innovation ecosystem must involve young Indians.Though there have been many government initiatives that have pushed genuine youth engagement, little attention is given to the promotion of youth involvement in policy-making, and there is little recognition of the value that this participation would bring to our economy and society. While senior decision-makers understand the value of reaching across sectors for creative solutions, the notion of reaching across generations is, in most cases, un- or under-harnessed.

There is no denying the fact that young people solve problems, create change, and contribute to creating a better India. Young people are a source of refreshing insight, unique perspectives, and a new association of ideas. Not to mention, youth are the current engine for innovation in all sectors – research, social, government, and business.
Today India has the talent in its youth that can create groundbreaking innovations and discoveries. A young Indian feels that he has something to prove. The potential is enormous. If we are to improve India’s prosperity and comparative advantage, now is the time to engage young innovators and changemakers at all levels of the innovation dialogue. Governments must foster more meaningful youth participation on issues that affect society as a whole, not just on obvious “youth issues.” It  is high time for our leaders to inject a fresh vigour in our youth and lead our country to new heights of glory.

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