Independence Day is celebrated with great solidarity and splendor, fervent zeal and deep patriotism. On this day, we are reminded of the heroic stories of freedom struggle for independence. There have been innumerable heroes who sacrificed their life for our freedom. Many of them remain our unsung heroes whom we do not even know. On this Independence Day, let us remember to salute them and pay our tribute and homage to these legends of our country. It is their sacrifice and vision that has pushed us ahead to come a long way on the path of progress and development. India’s rich history urges us to continue to march ahead with head held high towards great advancement and progress.
Today, India is considered as the largest democracy and one of the biggest education systems in the world. Indeed, India has a great future ahead as it is blessed with more than 50 per cent of its population, below the age of 25, making it the youngest country in the world. With this amount of human resource available, there is a huge challenge before us to channelize this energy in making India a fully developed nation with leaps and bounds progress in improved socio-economic prospects. Our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri. Narendra Modi, in his address to the nation on Independence Day last year introduced two concepts namely, ‘Make-in-India’ and ‘Skill India’ which would accelerate the economic growth by generating employment, skilled manpower and wealth in the country and take India to greater heights. The nation has the greatest asset – the youth power and this power can work wonders.
It is said that the greatest wealth of any nation is its youth. Having over 65 per cent people under the age of 35 years makes India a massive powerhouse of human resource in the world. The future progress of India will completely depend on harnessing the youth energy to bring about significant productivity. The energy within our youngsters is like dynamite and if this energy is channelized, India will be among the superpowers of the world in all segments. The empowerment of youth both in urban and rural areas will shape a sustainable future for our country. The words of Kofi Annan, 7th Secretary General of the United Nations are apt: “Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation. Empowered, they can be key agents for development and peace. If, however, they are left on society’s margins, all of us will be impoverished. Let us ensure that all young people have every opportunity to participate fully in the lives of their societies.”
The quality of human resource is the core of development. In this light, it is mandatory that both private and public sectors invest prudently in empowering and skilling youth and equipping them to compete on a global platform. Every educational institute at their level has the responsibility to inspire, energize and strengthen the youth to take up the global challenges in their own stride. Studies indicate that 21st century employers expect employees to possess critical and creative thinking, collaborating, communicating, Media Literacy, Technology Literacy, Social Skills, Leadership, Team work, responsibility and practical application skills. Our youth need to be provided a right platform and a suitable environment to acquire these skills and apply them in real life situations. Equipping our youth with vocational and specialised training in agriculture, various trades and small scale industries will increase the productivity in the coming years. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the “Missile Man” of India had a great vision ‘India 2020’ to transform the nation into a developed country with talented manpower. He has left a beautiful message for our youth. “My message, especially to young is to have courage to think differently, courage to invent, to travel the unexplored path, conquer the problems and succeed. These are great qualities that they must work towards.” He wished that every Indian changed her/his thinking from “what can I take” to “what can I give” to make India competent among the nations of the world.
This Independence Day, the inspiring lives of our freedom heroes together with the visionaries of our country exhort us to fight against poverty, illiteracy, corruption and exploitation and aspire to lead the country become a world giant mainly in spheres of socio-economic progress, education and technology.
Wishing you a very Happy Independence Day!
Jai Hind!
Dr. A. F. Pinto
(The author is the Chairman of Ryan International Group of Institutions)
