Awakening Indians to India!

The Generation - X of our country which is uber cool, trendy, smart, intelligent. Who wear their jeans below their waistlines, sagging them. Who speak in a lingo which is half baked American and without syllables and grammar. A generation who eats out at every opportunity they get at a McDonald or a Pizza Hut. A generation which is so hooked on to television and technology that they have no time left for outdoor games. A generation which is so hooked onto social networking sites that they find socializing in the real world a pain in their Arse's. A generation which has so much of information indispensable to them at the click of a button, but it hardly has time to go through any of it. In an era where Books, Sports, Hanging out at local joints with friends, Long Walks are a passe. Where our society, culture and civilization is undergoing a paradigm shift. Where new rules are getting laid down, old and iconoclastic are getting uprooted some for the better, some for the worse! At a time when the youth of our country is exposed to all forms of voyeurism and addictions. When westernization has taken the country by a storm. Having a girl friend at the age of 7 is cool, Having sex at the age of 14 is cooler. In an era of SMSes and MMSes, things move on very fast.

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Now, the question " Is Youngistaan all the above, or there is something more to it ?" . In a country where almost 65% of India's populations is aged less than 35. Where the young are not scared, where they are ignited, passionate and up for a challenge. Where Democracy still prevails against all odds. Where the legal system and system of governance can do with a make over for sure. Where there is so much happening on all fronts that its very easy to get lost in the blitzkrieg of capitalism and consumerism to lose the way. Where materialistic attitude has spread like a virus in the hearts of people. Where all the youth craves for is not satisfaction or creation but for Monetary gains, Where individualistic attitude has crept in, by and large among the people. Where Corruption has seeped in the roots and its getting difficult to cut it out!

Against all odds, there is this young Indian, who suddenly has developed a new found passion for its Country. Suddenly, Being Patriotic is the new flavor of the season. There is this new found zest in the young men and women of India " Kuch Karke Dikhayenge". All this is courtesy lot of things and events that this country has faced in recent times. Right from Jessica Lal Case, to Right To Information Act, Right From Release of Rang De Basanti, To the MIG - 21's fiasco. The Nation stood united braving all the opposition. The media too Played a Huge Role in Empowering the People of India. Soon, after all of this the recession hit the world. The growth for almost major part of the world stunted. It event dipped. Amidst all of this global recession there were fears that Indian Economy may melt down as well. But it didn't. It held on its own resulting in almost 7% GDP growth Y-O-Y. which by international standards was phenomenal.

Today's youth has become active in every aspect of governance. It voices its opinion for social causes, join hands to help the needy be it Tsunami or recent Haiti Quake, condemns terrorism be it 9/11 or 26/11. Stands up for what is right be it Quota Reservation or Jessica Lal case. It no longer shy's away from responsibility at work, neither does it shies away from politics. The number of People who were aged below 35 years of age went up in the Lok sabha Elections that were contested last year. Another interesting fact is that this growth is not restricted to urban areas only. Last year elections, also proved to be a wake up call who based their politics on false promises. The voter turned out as an informed and educated voter, voting for individuals not against them.

Now lets dwell on the fact that In today's atmosphere, in a scenario where Youth , the middle class, the common man, the rich and the poor all of them are becoming more aware about their rights, are more vocal about their disappointments, do the theatrics used by Politician Parties, Actors, Politicians, Businessman, Sports Personalities one and all fool them ? Does the Rakhi Sawant and Rahul Mahajan news is still the Masala we require in our lives to entertain ourselves?? Do we care about Sania Mirza getting married to Shoaib Malik, in the most murkiest and controversy ridden manner?? Do we care about the Reality Television the same way as we use to?? Do we get influenced or lured into things just because they garner publicity??? Do we believe and take things on face value, be it Promises from Miss India's to Promises of Politburo's, From Promises of Film stars and Sport stars about a particular product or a brand?? The answer to all of the above, and many more such interesting questions is " HELL NO!" .

I would like to take you guys through a recent survey Conducted by Reader's Digest which was about " Most Trusted People of India for 2009" and "Most Trusted Professions of India for 2009" according to people of India. The survey was conducted by The Digital Edge, an Online market research group, with a pool of around 5,000 people located across different demographic profiles, age etc. And My- My it threw in a whole lot of surprises. Few people have taken a whole lot of battering and had to bear the brunt because of their antics, and the other few were knocked out, falling in to the abyss.

First let me talk about the list of " Most Trusted People of India for 2009". People of India were asked to vote among 100 individuals, belonging to different walks of life. This list included people from journalists, businessmen, politicians, sport persons, actors, social activists, top professionals, scientists etc. Mr. APJ Abdul Kalam was voted the most trusted individual of our country. He won the coveted title hands down. He was followed by Ratan Tata, Kiran Bedi, Narayana Murthy and AR Rahman. Among the sports personality the top honour was bagged by Vishwanathan Anand ( 6th), followed by Sachin Tendulkar (8th), Abhinav Bindra ( 25th), MS Dhoni (42nd). Mahesh Bhupati, Leander Paes and Sania Mirza were also among the top 100. Mr. Amitabh Bacchan ruled the roost Among Actors at 14th, followed by Aamir Khan (18th), and SRK at 53. Among Politicians it was Manmohan Singh at 7th, Gandhi Dynasty Scion Rahul Gandhi at 29, and P. Chidambaram at 50. Among Journalist Prannoy Roy (28) was followed by N.Ram at 43, Rajdeep Sardesai at 61. The list also Include prominent individuals from varied fields G. Madhavan Nair( Chairman, ISRO), Dr. Devi Shetty, E. Sreedharan, D.Subbarao, Anna Hazare, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Swaminathan Aiyar, Sanjeev Kapoor, Pachauri, Mata Amritandamayi, Tharoor, Satya Sai Baba, Narendra and Lalit Modi, and the honour of being 100th Most Trusted Person in India went to Mayawati. ( Pun Intented ) .

P.S : Whoever included Mayawati in this list deserves, a pat on the back. No, Actually ONE TIGHT SLAP :)

If you think this was cool. Than Check out this other list, its a whole lot Cooler. The list of " Most Trusted Professions of India for 2009".A total of 40 professions were chosen which included professions of Dentists, Electricians, CEO'S , Chefs, Veterinarians, Bus/ Taxi Drivers, Tour Guides, Journalists etc . The list was topped by Teacher, followed by Firefighters, farmers, scientists and Member of Armed Forces rounded of the Top - 5. Interesting in this list among the professions we trust. We had Hair Dressers at 21st, Mechanics at 25, Plumber at 29 and Hawkers at 34. All of these professions were more trusted by people of India to Spiritual Leaders ( 35), Police Officers at 37, Government Official at 37 and Rounding off with the Politicians at 40.

What makes the whole list more exciting is the blatant truth, the naked image that it portrays about the perception the people of India have about different Professions. And the way things stand now with the Mayawati Garland episode, Swami Nithyananda's Scandal, The Shiv - Sena Politics, the constant bribing and corruption which is present at all level among government organizations, the respect for the people involved in this professions aint going to improve.

Lastly, i would like to conclude and hail the slogan " Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan " as it still holds good even in this 21st century. And would like to appeal to the young guns of India that lets keep up the good work, we need to work together to make our country a better nation. Together we can and we will make a difference.

A heart of Youngistaani says : "Ab bhi jiska khoon na Khola, Khoon Nahin woh Paani hain, Jo Desh ke Kaam na Aaye, woh Bekaar Jawani hain "