Youth in Politics. Review on Lok Sabha

Much is being made about the foray of ?young blood?into the Indian political arena this Lok Sabha season. Rahul Gandhi, Varun Gandhi, Milind Deora, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Sachin Pilot have decided to contest the elections this time around. The media on its part has gone berserk trail blazing these young political wannabes. The augmentation of such new entrants into what has always been considered a foothold of ?experience and wisdom? is a step in the right direction for the following reasons:

India needs ?young blood?; translated into normal parlance, youthful, energetic fervor; young men and women with enthusiasm, commitment, vision, passion, zeal and a spirit for adventure, for dynamism, with the ability to bring our country to the New World Order.

In a country where politics is considered a taboo career option for the youth, where the term politician has been traditionally equated with one-upmanship, treacherousness, and political ambition with slyness and dirty dealings, it is very heartening to know that these young men have decided to take on the baton.

The foremost objection against the entry of these wannabes is that all of them belong to political families; families that have been in politics for generations, or at least for two decades or so. Maybe this baton is being pompously passed on from one generation to another and these future political honchos have, in fact been carefully groomed to take over the reins one day (as if it were the family business). Maybe it is nothing but nepotism and partisanship. But would it be possible for a young man or woman, hailing from an average (read undistinguished) family, to bear the cost of contesting the Lok Sabha elections as they are contested today? Would they have the opportunity to grow into ?leaders? or get noticed as ?party workers?? Would the average gentry (read voting junta) trust these youngsters?

Given the benefit of their ancestry, the years of collective political wisdom and experience in their families, acceptability and in a way, contest-ability will come easy for them.

We need a young political force. On behalf of Gen Y2K, I do firmly believe that we are more motivated, we work harder, we are more focussed, more tech savvy, more aware of our duties and responsibilities as citizens and less inclined to corruption and deceit than the generation before us. It is all thanks to the glorious media revolution of the 21st century that has managed to bring home ?issues, debates, discussions and opinion sharing?.

We cannot do away with the old order because experience cannot be replaced by zeal. But the two can go hand in hand in the service of the Nation, a responsibility far more significant and superior to the achievement of personal goals. So lets give the young men a chance. We may be in for a surprise.