Youth and Responsibility!

It is a general tendency for the elders to consider 'youth' and 'responsibility' as oil and water, not going hand in hand. Not that we behave any better. So, are we responsible for anything at all? Yes! we are responsible for our lives and to some extent of the others around us. Simple example, we are responsible if we flunk in our exams and also responsible to an extent if our friends fail.

We have responsibility in every phase of our lives. We have responsibility towards our parents, our college, our friends, our country and so on. If we are not good at our profession at the end of 5 years, it would be because of lack of responsibility taken by us in our college days. If we participate in debates, Moots, grabbing every opportunity to improve ourselves, there will be no stopping us. 

What we usually say is, "We'll become responsible after we become 25-30 years old." This is one of the biggest mistakes we make. Responsibility is right NOW! A few votes in an election can decide the fate of a political party, a few responsible residents can ensure the hygiene in their neighbourhood. The list goes on. Miracles happen is we take responsibility. We need to take the initiative and the others will automatically follow if its for a good cause. We have no right to complain without taking responsibility. Taking responsibility gives us power.

We wouldn't have got independence if great men like Gandhiji, Bose, Tagore, Mangal Pandey, Sarojini Naidu and many other freedom fighters wouldn't have taken the initiative. Gandhiji could have decided to not fight, he was 60+ years old, anyway he would have died in a few years, so what was the point for him to fight day and night for freedom ? Just imagine for a second the plight of our country if it was not for the sacrifice of those great men and women!

There is an urgent need for us to take responsibility, right NOW! We youth can do wonders. We constitute more than 50% of this country's population. If we take the first step, there will be 99 behind us. Taking responsibility is important, but the cause or purpose for taking it is even more important(In simple words, it has to be for a good cause). 

If we have a problem with the government, corruption, climatic change, poverty, we must raise our voices and stand up against it. An essential ingredient to be kept in mind while taking responsibility is the modus operandi(mode of functioning). Taking responsibility does not mean screaming, protesting, killing. We must have an organised approach. This is an art and will need time and patience to master :) Time has come, we have slept enough! Rise now!