The policy makers of India had formulated the National Youth Policy in 1988. However the socio-economic conditions in the country have since undergone a significant change and have been shaped by wide-ranging technological advancement.
History into the rights and responsibilities for the youth has been in existence since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948. For India to occupy her rightful place in the Comity of Nations and to meaningfully discharge the manifold obligations thereto, it was imperative to ensure the effective pursuit of youth development programmes which promote personality development and Qualities of Citizenship and enhance commitment to Community Service, Social Justice, Self-reliance, National Integration and Humanism. The national youth policy 2003, therefore, recognizes these inter-related values and principles as its basic premise.
The Indian Constitution has certain articles with the primary objective of safeguarding the basic rights of youth. Some of these safeguards are built into the Fundamental Rights and are enforceable in a court of law. For instance, right to education, right against exploitation, right to freely practice any religion so on and so forth.
Other guarantees are part of the Directive principles of State Policy which cannot be enforced but underlie government policies and programmes.
Current Scenario:
Youth is associated with energy, impetuousness, ambition, independence, fresh ideas and enthusiasm. Every field, be it science, education, research, technology, literature, music or filmmaking, the youth plays a significant role in them. Youth forms the future and the hope for progress in right direction. The Indian economy is at tipping point. And the youth of this country will determine the direction the economy takes. India is a ‘young’ country with those between 13-35 years, accounting for 40.6% of the total population [Census 2001]. The major challenge before the nation in this direction is to have skillful and productive youth, have employment opportunities for the youth and to have spaces for participation in various spaces of life.
India has traditionally emphasized on various life stages with specific roles. Contribution by the great thinkers like Swami Vivekanand, Rabindranat Tagor, Mahatma Gandhi and Yashwantrao Chavan in identifying youth potentials and providing opportunities to the youth. International development efforts concentrated to the youth issues since 1986 with announcing World Youth Year. Planned process to look at youth development, response to the concerns of youth has got planned response worldwide since then. India has also made concise efforts towards youth development through National Youth Policy in 1998 which was revised in 2003
Considering Youth Concerns:
India has moved from the traditional stable society, mostly agrarian, to a highly developed, industrial and space society. The traditional joint cohesive family has changed to a micro and incohesive family. There is a change from rural to urban living. In such a society, where the youth come from various strata of the society, with diverse cultures, religions, economic status, language and life styles, the youth experience difficulty in adaptation to the changing roles and value systems. This results in alienation, withdrawal, interpersonal relationship difficulties, depression and even suicidal behaviors.
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National Youth Policy
