With over 600 million people under the age of 25, India is home to the world’s largest youth population. This demographic has the potential to be a driving force for the country’s progress and development, which is why it is crucial to empower them with the necessary skills and resources. However, there continue to remain several obstacles faced by India’s youth that hinder this from happening. Many organizations such as Auroveda strive to rid India of these obstacles and help the youth in every way they can. In this blog, we dive deep into the causes and understand what future solutions we can apply in order to empower them.
What is hindering youth empowerment in India?
The current obstacles faced by India’s youth are numerous and complex. These include poverty, a lack of access to education, limited job opportunities, poor infrastructure, and inadequate healthcare services. Youth empowerment is greatly impacted by poverty as it can restrict the opportunities and resources accessible to young people, making it challenging for them to realize their full potential. Almost all causes find their way back to poverty as a root cause.
Education is a fundamental right for every child, but the reality in India is far from ideal. According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2018, over 25% of children aged 6-16 are not enrolled in school and many of those who do attend lack the necessary resources and infrastructure to receive a quality education. This limits their potential to develop critical thinking skills and acquire knowledge, which is crucial for their future success.
Furthermore, there is a consequential gap between the skills required by the job market and those possessed by the youth. The youth in India is growing at a faster rate than employment opportunities, and many graduates are left either unemployed or underemployed. This is compounded by the lack of infrastructure and resources, which restrict the growth of businesses and prevent job creation.
Poor healthcare is another obstacle that prevents the youth from achieving their potential. India has a high infant mortality rate and a shortage of healthcare professionals, which affects the health and well-being of the youth population.
How can we empower the youth?
The government and other stakeholders must work together to address these obstacles and empower India’s youth. The following are some of the solutions that could help achieve this goal.
- Education is a critical component of youth empowerment, and the government must work towards providing access to quality education for all. This can be achieved by investing in infrastructure, improving the quality of teaching, and providing resources for students.
- Additionally, vocational training and skills development programs can help bridge the gap between the skills required by the job market and those possessed by the youth.
- Creating more job opportunities is crucial for the youth to be empowered. The government can support small and medium-sized businesses by providing incentives and subsidies, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and creating a more supportive business environment. This will not only create more job opportunities but also boost economic growth and development.
- The government must invest in healthcare infrastructure, increase the number of healthcare professionals, and provide more affordable healthcare services. This will improve the health and wellbeing of the youth, enabling them to lead more productive lives.
NGOs and their Role
NGOs, such as Auroveda, play a critical role in empowering India’s youth. They fill the gaps left by the government and provide the necessary support to the youth to help them achieve their potential.
NGOs can provide additional access to education and vocational training for the youth. Many of them create after-school programs to provide resources for students who lack the necessary infrastructure. Additionally, NGOs create skills development programs to equip the youth with the skills required by the job market.
NGOs can also support entrepreneurship and job creation. They can provide mentorship and coaching to budding entrepreneurs, connect them with investors, and create networks that facilitate business growth. This will create more job opportunities and help the youth become self-reliant.
Many NGOs also support healthcare initiatives and provide access to affordable healthcare services. They create several health awareness programs, provide health checkups, and support community health workers. This helps improve the health and well-being of the youth and enables them to lead more productive lives.