Tap on findings

Dec-30th-2011
The youths are recognized to be the most productive segment of the society, and their lot largely determines the future of the country. A significant proportion of the population constitutes of youths, thus, it is with great eagerness that their status is looked upon. In this regard, the survey results made available on youths should be carefully looked into so as to find their present predicament and what needs to be done to ameliorate their overall living conditions. The findings of the Ministry of Health and Population made public in the “First Nepal Adolescent and Youth Survey - 2010/11” are, therefore, something that needs to be delved into, particularly by the development planners. The survey was held to assist the government by providing the necessary data to help formulate policies, plans and programmes dealing with the adolescents and youths. Surveyed were 14,754 adolescents and youths. It sought to highlight the socio-economic and demographic status of this most productive age group.

The survey sought to find out the awareness amongst the youths about health care and sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS and also the delinquency amongst the youths together with their exposure to the mass media. The findings make revelations about the status of the youths in the country. Therefore, the authorities should seriously look into the figures and work on plans for concrete actions to help the youths live a healthy and dignified life, besides proving their worth as the pillars of the society that is tottering at present with political instability and economic doldrums. There is a dire need to cash in on this level of awareness of youths to make them dependable allies in the mission to transform Nepal’s status in the community of nations.

Meanwhile, the problem of unemployment is hitting the youths the hardest. Because of the lack of employment opportunities many of the youths go abroad to work as migrant workers. Surely, there is unlimited scope of creating jobs in their native country. The youths are capable of serving as catalysts to development and the building of the development infrastructure to power the country to progress. The revenue earned from remittances could be useful in the short term, but we would do better if the youths worked here itself.

This would have a snowballing effect and the pace of development would pick up. The findings of the survey are very encouraging in that that there is a great deal of awareness amongst the youths as to what is good for them. But, now the ball is the government’s court, and it should use the survey findings to come up with the relevant strategies to engage the youths at home itself for their own good, and not be human resource exports for the benefit of other countries. That will also be in the interest and prosperity of the nation. It will be quite unfortunate if the government does not pay serious attention to the survey findings and do the needful for the betterment of the country’s youths.

Standing to welcome

The year 2011 is about to bid goodbye leaving a host of sweet as well as bitter memories. Yet, we have to be ready to welcome the New Year 2012 with all the gusto that we have in us with the anticipation that there will more brighter linings. Yes, as the New Year approaches, the midnight of December 31 is supposed to be the auspicious time to make a number of New Year resolutions to set us on the right track, from the lopsided practices of the past year. Yet, it is always seen that the resolutions are made only to be broken in a matter of days. That shows our character which is not rigid ecnough to follow what we ourselves have pledged to. Maybe that’s human nature, and the reason for the mess that we all Nepalese are in.

We must the New Year despite all the headaches that we encountered till the last day of 2011. Another reason for some cheers for New Year 2012 is that the government has formed a panel to study whether the Gregorian calendar can be adopted as the official calendar. In all, the spirits must be high to welcome 2012, as that will begin a new chapter that will run for 366 days, and, hopefully, with prosperity, good health, happiness and a new constitution in place.

Himalayan.