The youth in Kashmir are now moving in the right direction and have various opportunities to avail. The success of a country greatly depends on its ability to employ young, fresh, and energetic individuals in the right fields. Youth represents a revolution and forms the backbone of any nation. The true path to success begins with the meaningful involvement of the youth in the social, economic, and political processes of the country. Therefore, the youth are an invaluable asset for the progress and development of the nation.
International Youth Day is commemorated annually with the purpose of highlighting the challenges and concerns encountered by the global youth population. This observance also serves to raise awareness while acknowledging the contributions of young people worldwide. The central objective behind marking this day is to emphasize the significance of youth engagement, empowerment, and the constructive utilization of their energy in the development of both their communities and nations.
The United Nations formally established International Youth Day through the adoption of Resolution 54/120 in 1999. This initiative was set in motion with the inaugural observance taking place on 12 August 2000.
The essence of International Youth Day lies in its capacity to bring attention to the multifaceted issues faced by young individuals across the globe. By recognizing their potential and advocating for their active involvement in societal and national progress, this day serves as a platform for promoting positive change. It encourages the channelling of youthfulness, enthusiasm, and creativity towards endeavours that uplift communities and contribute to the advancement of nations.
The annual commemoration of International Youth Day not only serves as a reminder of the importance of investing in the younger generation but also reinforces the idea that their empowerment and participation are pivotal for a sustainable and inclusive future.
The narrative of youth in Kashmir has been marked by distinct difficulties. There existed a dearth of proper engagement, empowerment, and formulated policies geared towards harnessing their potential for societal contributions. When left idle and jobless, the youth were vulnerable to succumbing to drugs and violence. This reality became evident over the course of the past 32 years, where instead of channelling their intellect, energy, and potential towards the betterment of society, they became embroiled in activities like stone pelting, violence, and terrorism.
This unfortunate turn of events can be attributed to a lack of proper guidance, misconceptions, and the absence of well-structured policies and schemes for youth development and engagement. The absence of opportunities and a clear path towards constructive engagement led them astray, resulting in a disheartening trajectory of wasted potential and societal strife.
The lessons from this narrative underline the importance of rectifying past mistakes by offering meaningful avenues for the youth to participate actively in the growth and prosperity of their communities. By focusing on empowerment, skill development, education, and positive engagement, societies can ensure that the potential of their youth is utilized for their own betterment and for the greater good of society as a whole.
Youth, irrespective of gender, represents a pivotal stage of life, spanning from ages 15 to 30. During this phase, guidance, counselling, and positive engagement become imperative. The eruption of violence in Kashmir can be largely attributed to the misguidance and manipulation of the youth. The revocation of Article 370 has provided the youth with a platform for empowerment. While addressing the unemployment rate will undoubtedly take time, the government has implemented numerous programs and policies aimed at fostering youth employment and engagement.
The Indian Army's role in youth engagement in Kashmir is significant. Through various programs and initiatives, the Army has been instrumental in mainstreaming radicalized youth. The primary objective of the Indian Army has been to establish a peaceful environment, free from terror and radical influences, thus paving the way for youth development. By organising people friendly environment, army has introduced various carrier counselling programs, and youth engagement in Skill development, education initiative, sports and recreational activities, community outreach, awareness campaigns, youth empowerment centres, scholarships and schemes in collaboration with civil institutions.
The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (JKUT) has taken significant steps to involve the youth through the establishment of the "Mission Youth" department. This initiative encompasses various opportunities for the youth, such as the "Mumkin Scheme" and the provision of youth clubs that offer sports equipment. Notably, Mission Youth, J&K, extends an upfront subsidy of Rs 80,000 or 10 percent of the vehicle's on-road price (whichever is lower) for those purchasing vehicles.
Furthermore, the Jammu and Kashmir government is actively promoting and empowering young women through the ambitious 'Tejaswini scheme'. This initiative offers financial support to establish self-employment ventures that align with their skills, training, aptitude, and local conditions. The overarching goal of this startup funding program is to empower and render young women self-reliant by facilitating their engagement in business ventures.
In sum, these initiatives underline the commitment of the JKUT government to uplift and empower the youth, fostering self-reliance, skill development, and engagement in ventures that contribute to personal growth and societal progress.

Email:--------------------------------vadaiekashmir@gmail.com