the Chief Minister promised to make colleges Wi-Fi enabled. But his more interesting announcement for the youth aged between 18- 35 was one GB data per month and a free talk-time of Rs 100 only.
Making colleges Wi-Fi enabled can be welcomed as a signal of digital connectivity. But the Government attempting to lure the youth with a one GB data pack and Rs 100 worth free talk-time is a politically creative but populist idea.
As a member of this age group of 18-35 years and as an undergraduate student in Goa, I can certainly claim to understand the aspirations of the group, even if one may question whether I am the sole spokesman of this group. No doubt, the youth in Goa have a lot of aspirations. Each young man and woman may have his/ her own aims and own chosen paths. Each one has a right to choose his/ her destination. But in a welfare state where the greatest happiness of the greatest numbers is often claimed to be the government’s prime motive, is providing a data pack and some talk-time the government’s only role towards uplifting the youth? Are the intellectual capacities of our policy makers so hollow, that they think the basic need of the Goan youth is this 1 GB data and talk-time worth Rs 100?
One should not be under the impression that I am not aware of what the Government has done for the youth, especially young students. I am aware of the various government schemes for the youth, right from the Goa Scholars’ Scheme to the Chief Minister’s Rozgar Yojana. I know how the Government is promoting youth talent through the State Youth Festival and several other youth-oriented schemes of the Government. But as a responsible citizen, I have to fulfil my duty of evaluating the government’s initiatives and criticise them, when need be.
If the Government indeed wishes to cater to the demands of the youth, a lot more of things are left to be done. The incumbent Goa Government led by the BJP brought in the Youth Policy. Although this act of the Government is a great step, a major demand has been to allot marks to cultural activities on the lines of the sports’ marks. This demand has been raised in the Goa State Legislative Assembly by certain MLAs and the Minister for Cultural gave a positive reply to the demand. The Government should pay its attention to this issue on a priority.
Another major area wherein the youth of Goa find themselves completely at sea is regarding competitive examinations of national level. For instance, the coveted civil services examinations conducted by the UPSC are answered by a few Goan students. Many are not aware of those. Although Goa is a State having high literacy-rate, awareness levels about these excellent opportunities are drastically low. There are no coaching centres and every one cannot afford to stay in New Delhi for months and enrol in some coaching class there. The students in Goa who answer such exams are in a condition of total disappointment and there seems to be no guiding light for them. In view of this, the Government of Goa should start a coaching centre for the Goan youth who wish to answer such examinations.
Neighbouring Maharashtra has a state-sponsored “State Institute for Administrative Career” in Mumbai, wherein coaching for civil services is provided. The Maharashtra Government headed by BJP’s Devendra Fadanvis in January 2016 rolled out a scholarship scheme for students answering the All India Services through the UPSC examinations. I have given the scenario in just one State of India.
Why cannot such things be done in Goa? Is it mainly, if not solely, due to lack of political will? Or does the Chief Minister and the Government feel that the Goan youth are fit enough only for such crass doles? I have raised only two issues due to paucity of space. But I am sure the Government has the mechanism, machinery and manpower to look for other such issues too, which are confronting the youth.
