Indian youth can be POWER HOUSE of country's development

Young people aged 15 to 24 -- make up nearly one-third of the world's population. As far as India is concerned,  the country has an unrivaled youth demographic with 65% of its population is 35 or under and half the country's population of 1.25 billion people is under 25 years of age. Youth are directly affected by social, economic and political developments around the world. But in many countries, youth are not allowed to be involved in the decisions that shape their societies.

Keeping this in mind, the United Nations declared August 12 International Youth Day, as an annual opportunity to raise awareness about the important contribution youth make and to highlight the goals of the World Programme of Action. The reasons behind observing International Youth Day by the United Nations has been to address many of the problems youth around the world face, and to help increase their opportunities to participate in the life of their societies. 

The theme of this year's International Youth Day is "Youth and Mental Health."  Youth with mental health conditions can often experience stigma and discrimination, which in turn can lead to exclusion and r discourage people from seeking help for fear of being negatively ‘labelled’.
The 2014 observance of International Youth Day aims at raising  awareness on this important topic, as well as highlight the experiences of brave, young individuals who have chosen to speak out about these issues with the objective of overcoming stigma and discrimination to ensure that young people with mental health conditions can lead full and healthy lives free from isolation and unnecessary shame, and openly seek the services and support they need.

With India being one of the youngest nations of the world with its youth comprising 150 million of its total  population, our country enjoys a distinct edge over many countries if we are able utilize their capabilities and potential. With such a vast population, our youths can truely be a power house of country's development if we really address the problems and issues plaguing our youth. The might of our youth has got reflected in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections as it was because of their huge turnout at the polling booths and increased political awareness that the present government has been voted to power. That they can make a huge impact on country's development and have the ability to catapult India into the most progressive nation of the world in the coming time.

On International Youth Day today, let us reiterate our pleas to express our solidarity with our youth and help them grow in whatever field they wish.