The young have taken to the streets world over and taken
the charge for leading change.
The youth has taken to the streets all over the world for
issues they sense are vital to their future. Increasingly, the younger generation
has taken lead roles on the world stage in public protests and advocacy related
to environment, corruption, rape, censorship, campaign for gun control in the
US, issues of citizenship and extradition as in Hong Kong, and recently in
India, in support of the continuing secular spirit of the nation.
It is natural that the youth should be concerned, as they
are the ones who hold the future in their hands. Swedish activist Greta
Thunberg and Nobel Prize winner Malala
Yousafzai are universally recognized faces of youth activism. However,
there are thousands of other young people working for various political, social
and economic causes.
Adults dominate the political discourse, but young people have
demonstrated that today’s youth are informed and concerned citizens who can be
trusted to advocate for change.
What has changed ? Nothing actually. India is no stranger
to youth activism. Whenever the need has arisen, students have been at the
forefront of political and social movements – the Young Bengal Movement of
1830s, the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920, the Emergency in 1975, the Anti
Mandal agitation, candlelight vigils for violence against women, and now
protests against the citizenship amendment act, and the national register of
citizens.
The one change is in the impact and reach of protests.
Technology makes communication far more effective, not just for organizing
movements, but also for disseminating information and raising awareness.
Technology and digital media have given youth activism a new boost.
The first step towards
change and a better future is awareness. Then comes dialogue. But what follows
dialogue has to be a show of solidarity and action. Everyone must do what
he/she can. Action does not necessarily mean taking things in your own hands or
trying to force immediate change. Even stepping up to share your views, or
raise your voice to create solidarity, is action. And that is where digital
media helps all youngsters feel they finally have a voice and arm as strong as
that of any adult.
Adults sit up and take notice when their children protest
or take out procession and expose themselves to threats and danger. In today’s
technologically advanced environment, Greta’s simple, solo act snowballed into
a global wave of school strikes for the environment, taking her to the UN
climate talk in Madrid.
Not every youth activist needs or will get the attention
that Greta did. Not everyone needs to be at the forefront of protests and
movements. But every child and young person needs to, and must remain connected
and aware. From Vietnam War, Tiananmen Square, Arab Spring, young people have
always been at the forefront of protest and change. The world’s leading
philosophers and thinkers have always stressed the importance of social and political
consciousness amongst the youth.
Spreading awareness is action, on whatever platforms they
have access to. And for this one does not need big stage or spotlights. Greta,
too, started very small !
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