By Mayank Jain:
“Older men declare war. But it is youth that must fight and die.” ― Herbert Hoover
Our biggest asset in India is our demography. Our young population is one of our biggest strengths and hence, hope for a prosperous future. But, can large number of young people who are yet to experience the trials and tribulations of mid-life crises can voice out their opinions on issues that matter? Do they even know the issues that matter? This is the question we must ask and get answers from the youth itself.
These are the questions which Grassroute India discussed in a candid Twitter discussion in association with Australia Networks. The discussion revolved around many important issues and some interesting opinions and innovative ideas regarding policy making, accountability, elections and the potential of youth came out.
Here are some of the best tweets from the discussion:
#TalkAboutIt Crores spent on gather likes on Facebook by politicians, how much spent on building toilets for girls?
— Anshul Tewari (@anshul_tewari) February 20, 2014
Govt. action vis-a-vis community empowerment; @shibayanraha votes for the latter. Any thoughts, @del_irani? #TalkAboutIt
— GrassRoute India (@_GrassRoute) February 20, 2014
There is a need for increased, detailed and specific focus on improving #primary education in India. #TalkAboutIt
— Tanaya Singh (@tanayasingh) February 20, 2014
814 million Indians are eligible to vote in 2014 elections, up from 717 million in 2009, says @IndiaEC.#India #electiontracker
— Soutik Biswas (@soutik) February 20, 2014
Youth needs 1.Quality education 2.More jobs 3.more transparency in governance 4. Active involvement in govt. n decision making. #TalkAboutIt
— Shivam Bhadauriya (@shivmtaurus) February 20, 2014
Let's make one? RT @anshul_tewari: #TalkAboutIt Is there a way to qualitatively measure the impact of policy implementation in India?
— Saanya Gulati (@BombayDelhiGirl) February 20, 2014
@del_irani @TedhiLakeer @shibayanraha we need new young politicians who have fresh ideas and are non-dynastic
— KunÄl Majumder (@kunalmajumder) February 20, 2014
@del_irani More engagement with masses using all mediums available. Both are equal players @TedhiLakeer @kunalmajumder #TalkAboutIt
— Shibayan Raha (@shibayanraha) February 20, 2014
Ultimately they need to be accountable to the public. Is the info gap an issue here? or apathy? @anshul_tewari #TalkAboutIt
— iForIndia.org (@iforindiaorg) February 20, 2014
@_GrassRoute #TalkAboutIt volunteering helps solve unemployment and also imparts some free practical education.
— Utkarsh Gupta (@u7karsh) February 20, 2014
@AuskarSurbakti @alsohkv @siddharth3 There are organisations but they aren't policy-makers right? Power plays a major role #TalkAboutIt
— Niddhi Mehta (@nid14) February 20, 2014
I'm curious, is social #inequality an issue in the upcoming election? From an outsider's view, that seems to be a big concern #TalkAboutIt
— Auskar Surbakti (@AuskarSurbakti) February 20, 2014
@BombayDelhiGirl In other words we can call this swaraj model.present panchayat system needs reform @del_irani @_GrassRoute #talkaboutit
— Shibayan Raha (@shibayanraha) February 20, 2014
On a lighter note, going by the ruckus at Rajya Sabha these days, a few of the young leaders might want to learn Karate #TalkAboutIt
— One short life (@Ameya83) February 20, 2014
From the NE MT @SinusRhythm_ Anti racism law, fair representation of the region in books, media, politics. #TalkAboutIt Cc: @AuskarSurbakti
— GrassRoute India (@_GrassRoute) February 20, 2014
@_GrassRoute I'd want to see leaders frame laws and policies irrespective of any pseudo cultural, socia, constraints? Can they? #TalkAboutIt
— Rohit Inani (@thecopperbrown) February 20, 2014
@del_irani We need a name/shame campaign after every politico makes a sexist comment. @TedhiLakeer @kunalmajumder #talkabouit
— Shibayan Raha (@shibayanraha) February 20, 2014
What do you think should be in the focus for elections in the May? #TalkAboutIt