Mitigating a Violent Future….

In my earlier post, I had raised a concern about the dangerous times that we live in. The virulent poor and neglected rural youth, who see no future for themselves, take recourse to insurrection, take up guns against the state, and eventually target the lives of innocent civilians. All this happens due to machiavellian attitudes of certain responsible authorities in the backward regions of India. I feel that the authorities can take steps to mitigate this brewing trouble and shape a peaceful future for our children. We, as responsible citizens should also do our bit to avoid compunction.

First of all, politicians with a non-decrepit vision for the poor, who are not just dishing out damp squibs at the hapless and innocent, who are committed to developing their local areas, need to be elected for the constituencies, irrespective of their caste. Voters should refrain from voting in favour of only those candidates who belong to their caste. Such leaders should be the harbinger of our social movement. The urban-rural connection needs to be made stronger and more intimate. Our most educated, mature, cultured and modern thinking people are in the cities. Educated people should become role models and ambassadors for a new, emergent and vibrant India in the villages, for the sake of our future.

We can always look to use the massive student population in our country and leverage their enthusiasm. Exchange programs and voluntary activities (which would be graded by colleges) where every urban student spends a few days/weeks in villages would really be of immense significance. When this happens, the city students will infuse modern values among their rural and less privileged counterparts. At the same time they can also come back with a better understanding of rural issues. We can also look to provide incentives and sops to global corporate giants to set up bases in smaller towns in India, which would improve employment opportunities for the locals. This may be challenging for the government, but if we have to secure the future of our children, then we have to look at developing the core rural structure of India.

It is time we stop treating the symptoms of bomb blasts and IED explosions in Maoist hit areas, and start treating the infection itself, which is creating an identity for the rural youth. Crocin (deploying CRPF and the Army) would not cure the infection any more; it is time for a strong and sustained dose of antibiotics , i.e. a concerted effort at starting a slew of developmental activities for the underprivileged youth.