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Young people for a better world
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The Asian Youth Camp held as part of the Asian Social Forum provided a platform to a large number of youth from different parts of the country to share their views on various issues.
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE: The youth camp was marked by enthusiastic participation
A SIGNIFICANT facet of the Asian Social Forum held in Hyderabad was the Asian Youth Camp inaugurated on January 3 amid music and celebration; beginning, aptly with rendition of Sri Sri's songs by the group Chindu. The camp saw informed and enthusiastic participation by young people - aged between 15 and 35 - from Afghanistan, Tibet, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Philippines, Sweden, among others, and from different Indian states. Irrespective of its limitations, the camp demolished some of the clichés generated in the media about what `attracts' the youth (mostly, urban) - namely, branded clothes, accessories, speed and fierce competitive spirit, among other things. For here were young participants serious about discussing the problems in the present systems and to bring about a change for a better state of living for future generations.
Economic development, livelihoods, status of women, dalits and other marginalised communities, sexuality and gender oppression, diaspora youth, questions of nationality, were among the significant issues discussed at the camp. For the young, this was a much-desired chance to understand their place in these ongoing debates and movements to make a more inclusive and democratic world order. Some of them shared their views about what it meant for them to take part in an event such as this.
Hailing from Srinagar, Qalab, an artist (working with graphics and acrylic) belongs to an organisation interestingly called Space. He says, "the name of my organisation states very clearly what we want as youth - space. And we want to make it known to all others."
Space is a students' platform formed to discuss their problems. "His friend and fellow Kashmiri, Shaukat from Baramulla is deeply disturbed about the state of events in Kashmir and he strongly thinks that "nobody actually understands what we are going through there; nobody cares." Muktiraj Guru and Arun Rai represent the Students Union of Bhutan. Life is never too easy for these men from the mountain country under absolute monarchy.
Sarpanch Singh and Shashi hail from Assam. Both of them are members of Smile, a young people's social service organisation aided by the Indo-German Social Service Society. While Sarpanch is a post-graduate in Economics, Shashi teaches philosophy at a college in Assam. Johann, a student of Political Science, represents the Young Left Organisation in Sweden. That `another world' is `mighty well possible' is something these young people believe in strongly, but they have no illusions about the present state of affairs. Says Sarpanch, "another world is possible with the support of political and social system. But we are here to say we are not `anti' globalisation. In fact we are here because of the globalisation process and information technology. We have to see both the positive and negative aspects of it. We must oppose that process of globalisation which marginalises certain sections, creates sectarian conflict. We have to understand the dynamics of processes in Asia and the world and appreciate the differences between social, cultural, and political dynamics in countries."
There is negligence of the northeast in development process. The youth are alienated. People have certain prejudices and preconceived notions about anyone coming from the northeast. There is still a gap. Shashi says, "northeast has resources, but to develop the region, there must be the consent of the local people." For Johann it is certain that the situation in Sweden cannot be compared to that of the Asian countries represented here at the Forum. He says, `we have to acknowledge that there is a difference in the general living conditions between our countries. However, we cannot live in the illusion of a permanent utopia, either. In Sweden the social welfare system that came out of the social movements there has now been abandoned, and we can see increasing inequalities between people. And this is related to the international processes. Here in south Asia you describe it as globalisation; we describe it differently. We would give it the name of market influence under neo liberal policies."
PAINT AND BEADS: Youngsters chose different media to express solidarity.
Shaukat's pain is obvious on his face when he points out, "all we ask for is peace and dignity; lakhs and lakhs of people are dying around us, but nobody even says a thing. When people in Kashmir die, nobody protests. I feel there is no dialogue between us and others. Due to politics, we get killed. We have no decent education, no employment. If others wish they can start a dialogue with us." Muktiraj Guru says, "our issues in Bhutan are totally different. We have absolute monarchy. No freedom, no rights. Even in the 21st century we are struggling for democracy and human rights. Talk of globalisation and imperialism is a very `big' thing for us, when we are fighting even for the basic things. Our country does not even have its own university - it is affiliated to the Delhi University! Moreover, all students have to get a `No Objection Certificate' to get admissions, and jobs. This was done after many people participated in the democracy movement in Bhutan in 1990."
Says his compatriot, Arun Rai, "Bhutan has generated so many refugees, who moved to Nepal and India. They live an exiled life, and want to go back to their homeland. Almost 40,000 of these refugees are youth. We want solidarity from youth of other states and nations to help us go back home; to highlight our issues elsewhere..." Says Sarpanch, of the human rights situation - "in Manipur we have the Armed Special Power Act, whereby the army can charge and punish anybody without a trial. Youth in Manipur are decreasing. Barring Assam, everywhere in the northeast, shops close down by 4 p.m. there is no evening or night life for youth in these parts. The conflict in Gujarat got so much exposure, but ethnic conflicts between Naga and Manipuri people hardly get mentioned in the media. There is no development - there are very few NGOs, and there is no effort from anyone to address the ethnic conflict."
Were there shared experiences between them? Johann says, "in Sweden the position is different.For us sharing problems with people here was important. However, I could not truly participate in the discussions on agriculture, since in our country only 3 per cent of people practice agriculture". But in many cases the youth from northeast, Kashmir and Bhutan to some extent felt there were similar problems, that they could empathise with.
However, Sarpanch and Shaukat confirm that they were surprised when they received absolute support and understanding from fellow camp mates who told them "we did not know the situations in your States were so bad." These young people believe that more such platforms could make way for better understanding of each others' problems and issues and clearing misconceptions.
Qalab says, "the media has not captured the youth's feelings in Kashmir; we wish to share our thoughts. At ASF we felt we could place and share our problems." Shaukat adds with feeling of remorse, "nobody has an idea about Kashmir; we want the problem to be solved." Says Qalab, "even tourism has been affected." What do these youngsters plan to do to sustain the tempo of the moment? Qalab immediately responds with "we feel everyone is united here; there are no differences. My first work will be to go back and talk to fellow youth that people do really understand us. That we can come together on some platform." Sarpanch is happy that the young people who had come with preconceived notions and perceptions about his land have emerged with better understanding. But he adds, "some of the seminars held here may not really have helped the youth; many among us could not share our thoughts with people outside the camp. Of course we got a platform for ourselves, but our problems should have reached others as well. Exchange among youth too was limited since many wanted to attend other sessions being held elsewhere. That was one limitation of the camp." Says Shashi, "as I am a college teacher my first job would be to mobilise students through the NSS, based on what I imbibed from this camp. My students will spread the message elsewhere." Johann says, "ASF and WSF are only part of a larger process. This is the first step to discuss alternatives to the kind of globalisation happening. There is no blueprint for change coming out of this; this is only a phase of discussions." Says Qalab, "I will use my art to spread the idea among youth. We need a celebration - of an inner freedom, besides other things." Shaukat adds, "tomorrow we will come in larger numbers, for I know people do understand us...Exchanges like these really help."
R. UMA MAHESHWARI
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