The inseparable marraige of Youth & Innovation

If change is to come to India, it’ll be at the hands of our Youth. Therefore, the time is ripe to invest in them, especially now that there is enough proof to suggest a considerable surge in India’s youth population in the  decade to come. If figures are anything to go by, India is tipped to add nearly 241 million in the working-age population (the figure is inclusive). This figure speaks for itself when compared with China, which will add a meager 10 million during the course of this decade. But unfortunately even after all these predictions, our Youth have not yet managed a top place in the list of our politicians’ priorities. Unbridled reserves of energy that they are; it would be anything but wise to overlook them.

Anyway, a nation is propelled by its Youth. Filled with raw passion and steely resolve, they are the only ones blessed with power that can pull a nation out of darkness and place it on the path of prosperity. India, for one, couldn’t have come this far in terms of socio-economic progress without her Youth championing her cause. Who can overlook the contribution of our Youth in revolutionizing Information Technology in India and abroad?

We, therefore, as a nation need to formulate long-term plans to empower our youth and come up with strategies to create an environment where a young mind is given the freedom to think. Not that the freedom isn’t there, but an average 22-year old Indian is so engrossed in digging up ways to ensure a safe future for himself that somewhere down the road his uniqueness is misspent. Somewhere he simply overlooks his ingenuity and joins a popular bandwagon. And that is how a nation misses out on an opportunity to gain an edge over others in the fray. It’s a simple equation if you come to think of it; you fall behind in innovation and creativity, you will have to extend your arms and follow the pack. But on the other hand, if you encourage innovation and creativity, you will place yourself well ahead of the pack and force others to follow you.

Because innovation is the product of thought, and thought is the product of a free mind, it is imperative to exempt our young minds from unnecessary burdens.

Let me put forth an example to highlight the power of innovation. There is this case of Abhishek Sinha and his brother Abhinav, both software engineers, who founded EKO financial services with an aim to extend banking services to low-wage migrant workers from poor states like Bihar working in places like Delhi. These workers, as a rule here in India, are bereft of services that would help them save their earnings or send whatever little they can back home. The working of their model may be sound simple but could be a tough act to play out. Read on…

The brothers created virtual banks out of everyday retail stores that sell groceries and other such household items! The worker, using his mobile phone, and an identity proof, can open a bank account registered on his mobile phone. He would provide the amount which he wants deposited to the shopkeeper, who at his end would record it on his phone and text a receipt of the deposit to the system’s mother bank. That’s it. The worker’s family member can do a withdrawal by following a similar process back in Bihar. Impressed, eh?

                                                                                                                       

This is what innovation can do; transform the lives of millions without much fuss. Believe me, there are hundreds of Abhishek Sinhas and Abhinavs out there. You won’t even have to find them if they are provided with an environment that encourages them to think.

Corruption: Let's nip it in the bud

If India’s dreams of progress, prosperity and power are to be realized, corruption must end. Without its eradication, it would be wise to lend a deaf ear to all the big India rising talks that surrounded the Obama visit. The fact is, we cannot rise in true sense if humiliating scandals keep burning in our backyard while we go about running the business of our lives indifferently.

Just yesterday, I had a friend telling me shocking stories about his tryst with the corrupt while he served one of the most prestigious defense research institutions in India. What he said sent jitters down my spine, and all the gush of patriotic blood that had my heart pumping passionately thanks to the recent Obama speech, died down. Helpless and hollow is what I felt. The presence of corruption in what should have been one of the most pristine of all offices suddenly cast a dark and pale Indian future in place of the bright and colorful one that had captured my imagination very recently. Why was this particular incident on corruption an eye opener for me despite having witnessed it at play on numerous occasions is as baffling a question to me as it may be to you. Well, I reckon it could be because the stink of it emanating from our armed forces was too sickening to handle and it sort of evoked a strong sense of repugnance. For all I know is that I had my moment of truth on corruption yesterday as it smirked at my helplessness in dealing with it and ruthlessly murdered all my flag-waving and saluting feelings.

I took an oath yesterday, a silent one. Until I can contribute to the destruction of this godforsaken ugly fortress of corruption, I will not lend my voice to the India rising chorus. For, there is so much more to be done before we even suggest our rise much less flaunt our arrival on the world stage. In fact, going one step further, before demanding an extra seat to fill in the UN Security Council, we need to fill those extra numbers of hungry stomachs that seem to be swelling with each passing hour. This may not go down well with some of you who have already tied the knot with jingoism. Before harboring great expectations from the world, we need to fulfill at least one bit of the tiny expectations of our country’s helpless. Before demanding recognition for our contribution on the global economic playfield from the world, we need to recognize the contribution of those roofless millions by providing them with at least the bare minimum. What kind of a nation are we if we look at those millions toiling it out in the sun building our dreams with contempt and disgust. Grow up, India! What are we trying to project here? That we are a bunch of hypocrites who get embarrassed and miffed when nations try to highlight the apathy of ‘our’ poor and urge us do something about it? Seriously, how bloody apathetic and devilish of us!

Anyway, enough already with the rhetoric, let’s get down to business. So, what should we do in order to amputate the lofty legs of this demon? The answer is pretty simple; shun all forms of corruption. Nip it in the bud, I say. Start from your homes. Don’t bribe your kids to score high in school. This’ll kill the greed in them. Don’t sneak your way out of fines, penalties or punishments by throwing the weight of your connections or money around. This’ll reinforce your commitment to the fundamental principles of country, equality and justice, promote the rule of law and most importantly set an appropriate precedent for others to follow. Don’t grease palms to get your work done. This would discourage corruption. In short, ensure that your actions do not undermine the country’s image and ideals. If each of us does his/her bit to deal a body blow to this menacing monster, the collective result will be its fall. And then, it would be extremely unwise to ignore the rising India chorus. For it won’t just be a clamor of stray unheard voices, but a lovely melody of a truly united India that would bring her close to other superpowers like US and China in the years to come.