Youth signifies and represents idealism and hope. Every generation of young persons charts out its
own course to realize its dreams and aspirations in life. Meanwhile it is the perpetual responsibility of
the elders to assist the youths in growing up and in becoming familiar with the eternal human values.
Further, they need acquaintance with different facets of human quest that has led to generation,
creation, dissemination and evolution of knowledge resulting in better understanding of the forces of
nature, the world around us, and the way civilizations evolve and march ahead. They must prepare
themselves to chalk out their new goals of life they wish to pursue and the contributions they intend to
make to society. The youths are to be taught to paint the vast canvas of life with ideas and activities
that could help them visualize the future they are to create for themselves and their fellow men. They
need to strive to know what is real and what is unreal. They could also be guided to appreciate that
the search for truth is the ultimate goal that one realizes only after understanding the transitory nature
of all that is constantly changing around every moment. An acquaintance with the history and heritage
of India could give them a feeling of continuity and motivate them to assume responsibility to take the
lineage ahead. Above all, cultural moorings and scriptures may motivate and instil in them a sense of
The Research paper on Influence of alcohol on youths life
... various negative effects that alcohol abuse has on youths’ lives as well as their families and the society ... of the major impacts of alcohol abuse on youth’s lives is that it interferes with the normal development ... in the short run and long run life of a youth. Mostly, students who perform poorly in class ... also has other health issues in the lives of youths. Alcohol is the leading cause of liver ...
possession of the sublime, goodness and beauty, which they need to assimilate and internalize.
When Mahatma Gandhi wanted education ‘to draw out the best out of the body, mind and spirit’, he
possibly understood the lack of emphasis on skills and spiritual aspects in education. If he were to
witness the level of this neglect today, it would have appalled him! ‘My life is my message’ is one of the
most valued of his statements that presents a code of moral conduct before all of us and particularly
before the icons of the young whom they emulate for ‘learning’, and for reshaping their lives! The
political leadership offers a very discouraging setting. The way elections are conducted and the type of
people who become representatives of the people and project themselves as the saviours of
democratic values perplexes the youth. What they observe generates more disinterest than the
eagerness to enhance their thirst for democratic values. The easy entry of ‘tainted’ and
criminalelements into the corridor of politics and power seems to sharpen their frustration.
India is now getting a taste of reality. While the number of billionaires in India is increasing every
month, people living below the poverty line is estimated at 300 million. Even those above this ‘line’ do
not lead an enviable life. Is India not facing a crisis of ‘ideology of progress’? Can this country continue
to ape the Western concept of progress and retain its own identity? Is India ready and equipped to
face the challenges and onslaughts on its culture, languages, and diversity that it has nurtured and
preserved as an asset over the centuries? With the passage of time these questions are likely to
acquire larger magnitude. The inability of the present generations to act as the trustees of the future
generations is evident. Our institutions also appear deficient to appreciate the emerging aspirations of
the youths and respond to these with adequate moderation, wherever necessary.
The Essay on Snakes And Ladders India People One
Snakes and Ladders by Gita Mehta is a book that celebrates India and its history. The author provides many short stories that try to show how India is trying to develop as a nation. She tells about the complex religious system, as well as cultural diversity, and the corruption of India's government. She shows the reader many aspects of the experience of living in India, which Mehta clearly shows ...
Take the instance of stressful learning. Can any society ignore the increasing numbers of suicides
before and after examinations, child abuse and molestation by teachers, violence within campus, fake
degrees, and so much more? Even one such case must wake up our conscience and impel us to think
of remedial measures. These problems, however, cannot be solved merely by issuing official circulars
and even by punishing the guilty, which rarely happens. The maladies have taken deep root. So the
solutions must emerge from careful scrutiny and logical inferences that are based on a comprehensive
view of how human beings grow up and how they can be inspired to lead a meaningful life. All these
developments call for a sound rethinking of values, ethics and morals which may lead to the
internalization of humane elements and inculcation of a sense of need to grow up in inner strength and
moral external actions.
Youth icons
Who are the icons of the youth today? They come either from the film world or they are sports
persons, mainly cricketers. The craze amongst the youth for adopting their lifestyle, and copying them
in all possible ways has multiplied manifold and this obsession is stirred up by the electronic media
which creates a make-believe world of glamour and reckless consumption. It is almost impossible for
them to think of those who live in a different world spending twenty rupees per day. Millions and
millions are not lucky enough even to be in that category! The youth icons from the glamour world
mostly stand snatched away from their social and moral responsibilities. They are willing to endorse
any product, which they may never use themselves in their lifetime.
Go back to the 40s or even 50s. Who were the icons of the youth? They were men and women of
character who sacrificed their self-interests and suffered ‘for others’, for the nation, for the welfare of
their fellow men and women. They also included people who strived hard for interfaith amity, global
brotherhood and welfare of humanity. What makes an individual forsake a life of affluence and luxury
and adopt a path that leads to tremendous personal risks and suffering? It is the moral fibre of the
The Essay on Total Institutions One Life World
Total Institutions In the year 1961, the author, Erving Goffman, published a book consisting of text and studies on mental patients and inmates, in what he has called "total institutions." There is a large focus on the life of mental patients, due to his year long study in an American institution. However, the center of my reading was based on the institutions and the lifestyles that are reached ...
individual. What makes the difference between a person and another is—how and how far it has been
developed, nurtured and strengthened! The very conduct and approach of all those with whom the
young persons interact make the maximum difference. The level and extent to which the examples of
real achievers and heroes are presented to them in the idiom of the day can certainly help them to
make the ‘right choice’ of their icons and hence, the path that they intend to follow in their life. Our
education systems have long neglected these aspects. The way we present Indian history, heritage,
and culture to our youths leaves much to be refined, modified and updated. The great contributions
made to the growth of world civilization by ancient India is yet to be explored fully and projected onto
those who deliberately attempt to ignore and distort these facts. Such efforts must begin from the
institutions that train teachers and must extend to schools and colleges through in-service and specific
orientation programmes at the earliest. The young of India must internalize a sense of pride in their
ancestors for their tapasyà to explore the mysteries of nature and to create a symphony between man
and nature. It must also motivate them to set higher goals in their life ahead.
Of course, it is neither easy nor necessary to persuade the young ones to discard the materialistic
pursuits altogether because the world of values and ethics does not envisage a celebration of poverty
and misery. Indian philosophy recognizes the need for production and increase of wealth as one of the
essential ‘purushàrthas. If someone establishes a production centre, provides jobs, earns legitimate
profits and follows the rule of law, he deserves recognition and appreciation. The problem arises when
a venture begins with a wrong premise, proceeds by breaking the existing laws, indulges in corrupt
practices and does not hesitate to exploit human beings responsible for the successful functioning of
the enterprise. The next generation of such an entrepreneur is likely to distance itself farther away
The Term Paper on How far is it true that the play ‘The Duchess of Malfi’, presents a moral world of Webster’s that is different from the conventional mores?
The Machiavellian qualities seen in the villain’s, along with the pragmatic of even existentialist attitude to life displayed by the good as well as bad characters may give a first impression that the world Webster presents in The Duchess of Malfi, is a chaotic world, but for a closer and deeper look at the play will show that the world is influenced by a moral order though this order cannot be ...
from the value-based approach. The common man in India suffers on so many counts solely because
the basics of creating a society that respects right conduct and morality in public life and also in the life
of individuals stand grossly neglected. Happily, there are instances of young professionals from top
institutions who are refusing lucrative offers to work abroad for the multinationals. Instead, they prefer
to work in India. Such motivated individuals are moving to rural settings and transforming the lives of
thousands of families, if not more. Only those who have acquired a strong moral fibre pave the way for
a desirable transformation of the nation.
How to proceed further
A large number of organizations, individuals, and institutions are now working to nurture moral and
ethical values among the youth. An attempt was made around 2000-03 to study some of the prominent
initiatives that have successfully attracted young persons to the moral dimensions of education.
Organizations like Sri Sathya Sai, Ramakrishna Mission, DAV, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and severalothers must continue to remain aware of what others are attempting and achieving.
Institutions that train the teachers can raise the standard of education. There are institutions that have
realized their role and responsibility in regard to value education and have made sustained efforts to
incorporate and internalize these aspects in their process of teaching and learning. If the institution
itself is being conducted in a manner that student teachers see adherence to moral conduct all around
in actual practice, then such an environment can create an everlasting impact. The conditions
prevailing in such institutions are not generally very encouraging. The only practical and prompt
alternative is the networking of good institutions with the upcoming ones.
Moreover, programmes to boost public awareness shall have to be organized by those who have the
The Essay on Degradation of Moral Values in Indian Society
Human beings enjoy the maximum freedom and power for governing their habitat and environment. This power sometimes enables them to misuse the resources Materialism has led us to a degradation in our moral values. India is the most ancient civilization. Vedas were written in India. Buddha got divine knowledge here. We are proud of our rich cultural heritage but today we have forgotten those ideals, ...
know-how. People need to be reminded of their responsibility towards fellow human beings, the
Nature, and towards future generations. Moral aspects must become visible components of all the inservice orientations in the organized sectors. For the benefit of the youth, orientation of parents is also
equally significant.
The advances in ICT and the reduction of physical distance and time in human interactions have all
the potential to bring people really closer. Unfortunately, this is exactly what is not happening. We see
distrust and mental distance increasing all around. Whatever be the factors contributing to these
trends and howsoever difficult be the conditions to overcome the obstacles, these have to be resisted
with thoughtful strategies that can free the world of apprehensions and fear of exploitation and
‘otherness’. Youths of today are obviously far more exposed to outside world and also gullible to
external influences than, say, their counterparts of six or seven decades ago. They need to be
assisted in understanding what is good and acceptable and what must be rejected. Difficult situations
do arise when the young persons note contradictions between what is preached and what is practised.
Take the case of prohibition, smoking, adherence to work culture, respect for punctuality by the
teachers and several other interactions that do not always leave a positive impression on their mind.
Preparation of literature that responds to the group needs and also stage-specific and age-specific
requirements is indeed a prime requirement now. Several institutions like the Ramakrishna Mission,
Shri Sathya Sai, the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and others have made exemplary contributions to fulfil
this need. The dissemination of their experiences on a large scale is of course an issue related to
resource support. Actual utilization will also depend on the strength of such material to withstand
commercially generated materials that are designed to fill the coffers and care little for the subsequent
results. Considerable research base would be needed to enhance the quality of materials that may be
The Essay on The Toughest Indian in the World is in the Closet
Sherman Alexie’s “The Toughest Indian in the World” tells a mysterious story about a Spokane Indian journalist on a quest to find his identity where he encounters his first homosexual experience with a hitch-hiking Lummi Indian male fighter. Through this story, Alexie is able to express the attitudes of sexuality in America’s society. Today, there is a sense of acceptance of overt sexuality, where ...
prepared and disseminated.
One more thing. It is not easy to appreciate the everchanging interests of the younger generations. If
they are to be guided properly and made aware of the moral and ethical values, it has to be done in
the idiom of the day that they like. The debate that ensued a couple of years ago that with the coming
of videos, print material may get relegated to the background is practically over. Both have their place
and could be complementary to each other in actual situations. Material development, revision and
upgradation, therefore, have to be an ongoing activity with as large a participation as could be
achieved through institutional networking and professional collaboration. The larger context of
textbooks and curriculum preparation, development and renewal shall continue to have a paramount
impact on renewed interests of the youths in moral values. A professional dialogue among the leaders
of the society and the academics to arrive at a consensus on educational policies and innovations
must be pursued vigorously.
Lastly, every effort needs to be made to ‘link Indians to India, its culture, history and heritage’ as
opposed to what the British explicitly decided around 1835—to subjugate India, ‘Indians must be
delinked from India’. The levels of Indian insight into the spiritual world of quest for the unknown
deserve a serious review by every young Indian. The local and indigenous knowledge traditions areoften ignored in the glitter of modern advances, though its significance is realized globally. The values
it creates contribute to the strengthening of the moral fibre of the young individual. Can anyone
understand India without getting acquainted with the Ràmàyana and the Mahàbhàrata? And could
anyone, having gone through these epics resist the call of exploring further the wisdom and values
contained in ancient Indian literature? Can anyone understand the continuity of Indian civilization
without understanding the developments of ancient India in symphony with the enrichment that
followed in the medieval period and modern times?
India is to be understood by Indians first. Only then the world shall understand Indian excellence in
morals and spirituality. Only then we shall be in a position to recall the famous words of Arnold
Toynbee that to save the world from catastrophe, it has to follow the path of Ramakrishna and Gandhi.
Only the morally strong can advance in spirituality, which incorporates adherence to truth, nonviolence, peace, righteous conduct and love.
