TEDx Talks - The ability to build a rainbow out of gloom | Shivika Mittal | TEDxDPS Fulbari Youth
The speaker, Shivika Mitel, discusses the lack of youth participation in politics in India, despite the country's young demographic. She highlights the decline in youth representation in parliament from 26% to 12% and challenges the perception of politics as a corrupt and nepotistic field. Mitel shares her journey of social involvement, starting with working with the visually impaired and later founding her own organization to help the underprivileged. She describes her work in slums, addressing issues like child labor, open defecation, and substance abuse. Through skill development projects, she has helped individuals like Kushi, a girl who now pays for her college tuition by mastering the art of mehndi, and Savitri Kaki, who runs a successful home kitchen. Mitel calls on the privileged to contribute to societal improvement, emphasizing the power of hope and determination in creating positive change.
Key Points:
- Youth participation in politics is crucial for societal change, yet it is declining in India.
- Perceptions of politics as corrupt deter youth involvement, but change requires participation.
- Social work in slums reveals issues like child labor and substance abuse, highlighting the need for intervention.
- Skill development projects can empower individuals, as seen with Kushi and Savitri Kaki.
- Privileged individuals have a responsibility to contribute to societal improvement and foster hope.
Details:
1. 🎓 Youth Aspirations and Politics
1.1. Entrepreneurial Aspirations and Emerging Careers
1.2. Political Engagement
2. 🇮🇳 Youth Representation in Indian Politics
- India is one of the youngest countries globally, with over 50% of its population under 40 years of age.
- Despite the young demographic, India is primarily governed by older individuals.
- In the first session of parliament, youth representation in the Lok Sabha was 26%.
- In the most recent session, youth representation in the Lok Sabha diminished significantly to a mere fraction.
- Barriers to youth entering politics include financial constraints, lack of political networks, and the dominance of established political families.
- Examples of young politicians who have made significant impacts include those who have championed technology-driven governance and youth-centric policies.
- The low youth representation has implications for policy-making, often resulting in policies that may not fully align with the interests of the younger demographic.
3. 🗳️ Challenges in Politics and Call to Action
3.1. Political Challenges
3.2. Call to Action for Millennials
4. 🤝 Personal Journey and Social Work Initiatives
4.1. Initiatives for the Visually Impaired
4.2. Founding a Personal Social Organization
4.3. Political Engagement for National Service
5. 🏠 Working in Slums and Realities of Poverty
5.1. Living Conditions and Health Challenges
5.2. Education and Economic Activities
6. 🌈 Finding Hope in Adversity
- Individuals in challenging environments find hope and joy through simple pleasures, despite facing poverty and adversity.
- Skill projects introduced in recent years include baking, beautician training, driving, music, and crochet, empowering individuals to improve their livelihoods.
- Success stories include a girl named Kushi who mastered mehndi art to afford college tuition and a three-year recovered alcoholic pursuing a dream in music.
- Savitri Kaki, who used to suffer abuse, now runs a successful cake business, demonstrating the transformative impact of skill development initiatives.
- The narrative emphasizes resilience and the ability to create positive change and a brighter future in the face of despair.
7. 🌍 Responsibility to Build a Better World
- As privileged members of society, it is our responsibility to give back because we have the means to do so.
- Contributions should be made to improve our cities, states, countries, and continents, emphasizing a global perspective.
- In our busy lives, we must remember that we only have one world, and we should strive to be catalysts for positive change.
- The ultimate goal is to build a better, kinder world through collective efforts.