Every morning, we are saddened by the news of more and more deaths, blasts and attacks attributed to terrorism and naxalism in our country. Incidentally, many of these reports seem to originate from very specific areas of the country.
While noticing the regular frequency and the dreadful intensity of these mishaps, one seems to miss a common factor – there is an utter lack of employment opportunities in these areas. Agriculture being seasonal can’t feed the populations. Government jobs are far too few. This means that a very large population of the country – the dynamic youth - remains UNEMPLOYED!!!
Instead of becoming care takers of their family, most of these youth are looked upon as non-earning liabilities on the family. Many are even taunted frequently into frustration, while others escape out of their homes tending to goat, sheep and cattle.
What is even more surprising is that even those wanting to start a small enterprise like local transportation, small food business or a similar activity are stopped by the “licensing” law. The youth then obviously feel cheated and then develop resentment towards the system.
Such youngsters then become easily available to those scouting for small time criminals, gangsters and even terrorists. Earning livelihood is a matter of survival for these youth... It’s not important how it is generated– as long it is coming.
Coming back to the source of our negative news items – interestingly the same “under-developed” areas happen to have the potential to be our best known tourist destinations – Kashmir, North East India, Chattisgarh, Gadchiroli and other areas of Central India.
It is time we appreciate that tourism alone can generate opportunities for the youth. The state can train them, financially support them and also help them in marketing or showcasing their services.
TRAINING: The local youth will immediately need training to become a part of the tourism industry. On lines with the ITIs providing industrial training, the Tourism Training Institutes need to provide training in fields that revolve around tourism - hospitality, horticulture, poultry, dairy, vehicle repair and even basics of computers. Incidentally, Government does not need to take all this responsibility on its shoulder. The involvement of organisations like Eco-Tourism Society of India (ESOI) and other Tourism bodies and even the CSR departments of corporate can be invited to provide a professional and real time touch to the training.
We at Pugmarks have played our small role in this direction. We have been imparting training to the Adivasi youth in a few of our National Parks – helping them in building their capacities. They are trained to be naturalists – beyond being just guides. These trained youth with their improved skills, are able to better their earning potentials. But more importantly, it has made them strong ambassadors of the National Parks and their conservation. Now the same youth play an important role in protecting their forests.
Today while the governments expect the youth to play a more constructive role in the society, the youth in turn look up to the government to improve their lives.
Article by Anirudh Chaoji
Governing Body Member - ESOI
Director of Pugmarks Holidays, Pune