TALLULAH D’SILVA
It seems like two differ ent worlds are unfolding around us! One world is where youngsters are on the ground sharing what is happening right now, where one can clearly see how their democratic rights are being violated by the Delhi Police and RAF through lathi charges, tear gas and metal pellets being fired merciless ly. They are sharing videos from ground zero using their phones while devices are be ing jammed and the internet shut down by the authori ties. Is it civil disobedience? Yes, it is a peaceful protest and the largest gathering of youth and students at Jantar Mantar ever. What are they demanding? Educational reforms, accountability by the current government and the resignation of Educa tion Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the suicides of more than 20 students because of the NEET pa per leaks, irregularities and exam rescheduling. The youth of this country have taken to social media to speak up and are on the ground creating a revolution. They are demanding justice, standing up for truth and upholding the very values of the great Mahatma that we as adults have failed to practise. They are demand ing accountability from poli ticians and police personnel who have blatantly commit ted horrific violence against peaceful protesters. On the other side is the adult world, with parents and grandparents who stand by everything they are watch ing on news and television channels. This media seems to be compromised because most channels and newspa pers are showing contrasting visuals, justifying violence and drinking in the hate for minorities and the resultant communal divide. And then comes the feed of develop ment and concretisation, how all this is benefitting each of us, putting a veil over fallen bridges, lives lost and the complete draining of our taxpayers’ contributions, lost to the influential and the rich in our country. We are happy because new extrava gant religious structures are being built, our pilgrimages are sponsored and we are fooled into believing that more benefits are coming to us. Until now, we were com plaining that our children are not listening to us, be coming zombies day by day, and that screens are making them even dumber! Every student and young professional or graduate is complaining. There are no jobs, institutions are not imparting the practical as pects of courses and exams are rigged. The frustration and cries for help are fall ing on deaf ears. Jobs being bought is the most common grouse among youth. Every department is corrupt; with out a bribe, no job gets done and no file moves until the handling officers’ palms are greased. All our grievanc es are met with lip sympa thy, false assurances that everything will be taken care of, and political statements that look good on social me dia. Now seats in colleges are also paid for; merit does not matter. The increase in seats in medical colleges and the number of private colleges that have grown manifold over the years are proof of the demand for paid educa tion. And mind you, the fees are in lakhs, becoming a huge burden on families who then have to take loans to support their children who are eligi ble to join these streams. Youth are dying every where from suicide, drug overdoses and rising crime. The police and judiciary, which were trusted recours es for the common person seeking justice and uphold ing human rights, have now become hostile to the chil dren of the country. Nine-year-old Amaira Ku mar Meena’s death remains shrouded in police delay, inaction and schools and teachers remaining unac countable for the bullying she was subjected to. Schools are not equipped enough. Teachers lack the needed training. Most schools do not have competent counsellors, nor do they have the capac ity needed to tackle the key issues among growing chil dren today. In Goa too, the number of children and youth commit ting suicide is increasing. Youth deaths from drug over doses and road accidents are also on the rise. And students are crying out. Nobody is listening to us. We study in our textbooks that the government we elect is of the people, by the peo ple and for the people. We have also learnt about the Constitution and the right to freedom of speech. Envi ronmental studies is made compulsory in schools and colleges. Sustainability and climate change are also cov ered as important subjects in architecture, planning and urban design. Mahatma Gan dhi’s values of truth, ahimsa and satyagraha are tenets we have learnt and believe in. So we are also making our appeals to our leaders in a peaceful manner. Then why is our Government not listening to us? And why is the government treating us like enemies and terrorists? What we have witnessed is inhuman, horrific and crimi nal. We have been hit by our own brothers and sisters. We have been arrested for walk ing and protesting peaceful ly. We have been arrested with children alongside us, pregnant women and little children. We have been sex ually abused, molested and forcefully hauled into police buses. False FIRs against innocent citizens have be come common all across the country. Our own country is pulling us down. Our Gov ernment assured us that we were the future, so now is the time for us to lead. We wish to lead with truth, sincerity, honesty, peace and human ity. These are our weapons. Not tear gas, metal pellets, lathis or rocks. Not hatred, violence, aggression or an ger. The youth have started the biggest revolution India has ever seen. The cockroaches are on the rise to clear out the rot in society. These cockroaches have a purpose and a duty. Are you joining? (Tallulah D’Silva is an architect and Silver Awar dee of the Golden Door Award 2020 for Truth and Integrity.)
