The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : More young people should enter politics

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Aug 13, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

More young people should enter politics

Young people should play an active role in public life, say our readers

Militancy not desirable

MILITANCY BY certain students' unions puts off majority of students. In any case, entering public life need not always start at the college. Many in their late twenties have become elected members of municipal bodies. There is a lot of idealism among a section of younger politicians and it is up to young voters to support them.

S. Mrutyunjaya,

Lingarajapuram

Civics ignored in schools

MANY YOUNG people take election days as a holiday to go on picnics and generally enjoy themselves. Unless they use the precious democratic gift of voting, how can they criticise a government which they did not even elect? Lessons in civics are mostly ignored in schools these days. Most high school students are ignorant of parliamentary procedures. Brief lessons in political science should be given even to students of science and technology.

D.S. Manjunath,

R.T. Nagar

Encourage young people

THE IDEALISM and enthusiasm among the youth should be channelised and budding politicians should be nurtured by seniors. Unfortunately, in our country there is no upper age limit for those in public life. While maturity and experience count, young people should be encouraged to enter public life, at least to cleanse the system from within and not just by voicing criticism from outside.

Radha Sharma,

Indiranagar

Bad examples

IN A free democratic system, young people do get the opportunity to enter public life and political positions. The minus point is they see around them examples of how public positions are misused for selfish ends. With such bad examples all around, it may be difficult for idealistic young people to choose public life as a career option. Those who do may even make a difference to a much-discredited system.

Farha M.,

Fraser Town

Youth in public life

IF OUR country is to have a future as a functioning democracy it has to come from young voters who are not prepared to tolerate corruption in public life. This means youth have to enter public life, preferably armed with good education and some ideals and respect for human values. An older generation of politicians has failed the country; let us hope for better from the next generation of MPs, legislators and Ministers.

Joshua S.,

Langford Road

NEXT WEEK: Ganesha festival is round the corner. Over the years, local community participation has become less in such occasions, many feel. The immersion of large idols may also be an environmental concern. Readers are invited to write to Point-Blank, The Hindu, No. 19, Bagwan Mahaveer Road, Bangalore 560 001 or email bglreflections@thehindu.co.in

Lingarajapuram

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