Plurality of India's Youth

Nikita has recently joined PRIA’s YnD campaign. In this blog she reflects on how the YnD campaign has opened her mind, influenced by the discussions she conducted with students of Utkal University in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.   “I didn’t recognise the need I have felt to be able to talk without hesitation about my choices, likes, preferences, discrimination and fears. I always wanted a space where I could talk about this 24*7 world around me, and how it affects me. I hesitate to talk to my parents. I realise a platform like this is what I would have liked during my years in college.” -- Nikita Rakhyani, young citizen of India. It was a bright, sunny day when I landed in Bhubaneshwar, the capital city of Odisha. It was my first trip to this eastern state of India, and as I disembarked from the plane I was both excited and apprehensive. This was an opportunity to be part of the YnD campaign on the road – holding events to encourage young college students to think and talk about Democracy In Everyday Life. Democracy In Everyday Life. A simple concept really – that democracy is more than mere voting. It is about how we live our lives, every day. About how we can (and why we should) incorporate principles of democracy – equality, inclusion, tolerance, listening to others, agreeing to disagree with respect – into our daily lives. Now I was in Bhubaneshwar, to interact with students of Utkal University, introduce this concept to them, listen to what they understood about it and encourage them to consciously begin practising Democracy In Everyday Life. The day began with a round of group discussions on a number of broad topics – gender, jobs, social security, discrimination, sexuality. Experiences and attitudes were revealed through modern technology – anonymous polling using a PRS system. Students “clicked” their answers to questions such as “Have you ever felt discriminated against?” “Is pre-marital sex okay?” “Do your friendships transcend religion?” The instantaneous results set the room abuzz with opinions and counter-opinions. How fellow students make a face when some students talk in their mother tongue and not in English, or how they feel judged for expressing that pre-marital sex is freedom of choice, and how they are treated differently because they come from the Northeast of India. Hostel problems – electricity, food and water – were also discussed. Some students hesitated to speak; their thoughts clearly visible on their faces. Was the presence of teachers in the room inhibiting them from freely expressing their views? Observing and listening to these young students, I started to ponder my own attitudes in response to the questions. Should our education guarantee employment and social security? A college degree is something each of us pursues because society tells us it is important. But is employment and social security the only reason to go to college? What is the real purpose of education? I have completed both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, but I have never given any thought to the mission of educating myself. “Plurality of Indian Society Brings Identity Crisis for Youth” – that was the topic of the debate the next day. Interestingly, most student debaters spoke against the motion, making some pretty thought-provoking arguments related to upbringing of children, education system, and India as a multi-cultural society. These amazing, meaningful conversations made me think of the rising trend in TV debates and social media of emphasising the negative implications of our country’s plurality. Here were young minds who take pride in their country being multi-cultural. Students also participated in a poster-making competition, painting what freedom means to them and the everyday spaces that exist (or do not exist) for them to exercise freedoms. Among the 10 participants there was only one male. How wonderful to see young women not shy away from seizing an opportunity to express themselves. But it also gave me pause to think. Why was there only one male participant? Is painting and drawing seen as inherently “female”, something that girls should do? Are boys moved away from creative pursuits like art and music as they grow older? Is this a result of our gendered socialisation? Maybe I’ll get the answers to my questions in the next YnD event where I’ll meet more young minds. I’ll keep posting as the campaign rolls on. Follow PRIA's blog Democracy For All

You may be interested to read