Investing in Our Youth: A Timely Step Towards a Future I Envisioned Years Ago
News of the Prime Minister unveiling substantial youth-focused initiatives, valued at over Rs. 62,000 crore, fills me with a sense of both hope and a familiar echo of discussions I've engaged in for over a decade PM to unveil various youth-focused initiatives worth more than Rs.62,000 crore on 4th October, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses Kaushal Deekshant Samaroh launching youth-focused initiatives worth over Rs.62,000 crore, PM Modi to unveil initiatives worth more than Rs 62,000 cr for youth, Bihar in focus. It's a significant commitment, one that addresses a demographic reality I pointed out years ago.
Connecting the Dots: My Early Concerns
Back in 2011, I penned a piece titled "India's Population Explodes…" India's Population Explodes…. In it, I highlighted the sheer scale of India's young population—159 million children aged 0-6 years at the time—and critically asked, "Will there be jobs for all these young people?" I also mentioned the National Skills Development Corporation, which had just been set up with a mandate to skill 500 million people by 2022. Even then, I questioned if such mandates would truly translate into employable skills and opportunities.
It's striking to reflect on that now. The demographic boom I foresaw then has matured, and the imperative for comprehensive youth-focused initiatives is more urgent than ever. This sentiment was further reinforced in a more recent reflection on IMF DMD Gita Gopinath's statements, where I reiterated my concerns about the "iceberg of unemployment" and the need for immediate action to bridge the widening gap between population growth and job creation IMF DMD Gita Gopinath.
Validation and Renewed Urgency
Today's announcement, with its substantial financial backing, feels like a direct acknowledgment of these long-standing demographic and employment challenges. It validates the points I raised years ago about the critical need to invest in our youth and their skills. I wrote about the necessity of equipping our young workforce for enhanced productivity, advocating for collaborative approaches between government, industry, and academia, which aligns perfectly with the spirit of these new initiatives Skills to Gain Productivity.
The focus on skilling is not just about providing certificates; it's about making our youth truly employable, ready for the evolving demands of our economy and the global stage. This echoes my earlier calls for reforms that would truly "Skill India" and position our nation as a global skill capital.
Moving Forward: The Enduring Value of Early Insights
Witnessing these initiatives unfold, I feel a renewed urgency to revisit those earlier ideas. The core challenge remains: translating massive investments into tangible, impactful opportunities for every young Indian. It requires more than just capital; it demands foresight, robust implementation, and continuous adaptation to industrial needs. The commitment of Rs. 62,000 crore is a powerful statement, but the true measure of its success will be in the lives it transforms.
My hope is that these initiatives go beyond mandates and create a truly skilled and employed young populace, fulfilling the potential of our demographic dividend that I spoke of so many years ago.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
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