Youth Politics In India: Participation And Representation

The increasing number of young faces in Indian Politics marks a gradual but definite generational shift in the country at large, dubbed 'YOUNGISTAN' by advertising and marketing by gurus targeting youthful consumers. According to Census data, about 2/3rd of India's 1.2 billion people are 35 or younger and half are 20 or younger. It is estimated that by 2020, the average age of an Indian will be 31, compared with 37 for China and 48 for Japan. Youth force is set to dominate the Indian Parliament with 79 young faces having elected tothe 15th Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha had only 34 MPs below 40 years age mark. While some MPs like Rahul Gandhi and Sachin Pilot have retained their seats, others like Ahmed Hamdullah Sayeed, the youngest member, Nilesh Narayan Rani, Varun Gandhi, Sarika Singh, Agaltha Sangma, Mausam Noor etc have been elected for the first time. The country desperately needs some young leaders who exemplify energy, enthusiasm, morality and diligence. No doubt, we have progressed a lot in the last 62 years but the development pace would have been completely different had some young torchbearers led this process of development.