Happy Independence Day & What Youth Can Do About it.

My first memories of celebrating 15th August involve me going to school 7 AM, attending flag hoisting ceremony with rest of 500 children, participating in a rally across our town, shouting slogans of Bharat Mata ki Jai, and coming back to school by 10 AM.

Then would start the celebration of the day in the form of plays, acts, skits, and national songs. I was always active in the cultural scene at school, I would always go back on 15th evening with handful of awards - pencil, eraser, pen, geometry box, notebook and sometimes a plate - which each kid would get for each participation separately.

When it comes to India, and how and what can I as an individual, and we as youngsters do to take the country forward - lots of thoughts and complexities come to my mind. From the frustrations of political system, bureaucratic system, education system, and social system - the more I think, the more hopelessness I feel as a small part of the system. But then I look at any other countries - and they all have their own set of similar problems - many of them even worst than us. Ultimately it all comes down to, despite having all the flaws, and limitations, what still best can be done.

Now in that regard, I sincerely believe we all can do lot for the country, it’s people and its impact on the world. I frequently get asked, what is your point of view of moving abroad. Not that I hold anything against Indian not living in India - you contribute to the country in a lot ways and through the valuable remittances; but the idea of moving abroad never seemed lucrative to me for many reasons. I think a lot more can be done for the people or soil by being on the soil with them.

I think one of the easiest way to contribute into the progress of country is simply by working hard, and up Skilling ourselves to the excellence. We are a huge economy, and have one of most impressive growth rates. And to support this mammoth growth, we need great talent in abundance.

Another way I sincerely believe in which we can help is by taking along the rural population - especially with respect to education and skills - and by education I don’t just mean by improving the literacy rate, but rather building them paths of a modern society, how to fit and thrive in it. If only one child from one village succeeds, the kind of impact they can have on the whole village in 20 years, would be phenomenal. I am not saying, this is not happening already. It is happening, however, the divide is so large, it needs some serious filling. So we as individuals, must support the kids from rural backgrounds, those who do not have confidence and into the ways of harsh and large cities of India. We need more collaboration, interaction and a sense of easiness there. A rural younger of 18 should not feel clueless in an urban jungle. A personal one on one mentorship, guidance, and support at micro level will play a key role here.

There are a few more ways (SMBs, Healthcare, Saying no to formal education, logistics, insurance, FI with low interest financing) which I can keep thinking. However, my current focus is on cracking the code at an individual level, and as a small business on the above two topics.

I would love to hear your thoughts about it too. And trying to find solutions and answers at micro level among the macro challenges and tremendous world of opportunity.

Vande Mataram,

Jai Hind ????

Ashish Singh