Youth in Chitral: Causes of failure and way forward

Every nation has defined youth, in their own way. However in Pakistan youth are the part of population which falls within the age bracket of 15 and 29 years. According to survey conducted in 2009 around 63% of Pakistan’s total population is concentrated below the age of 25 years.

No doubt about the fact that the youth are a way to a bright future. Because they play a vital role in the development of the country, like in economic, social and all other spheres. Besides strengthening the social and cultural values, the youth also is a major force to shape the political system of the country.

However, unfortunately, certain factors frustrated the youth and they are unable to play a major constructive role to make Pakistan a prosperous country. The first and the foremost reveals youth today have become modern by fashion not by profession.

The old fashioned and outdated educational institutions along with the modern and updated media produced much kind of professional mockers in all fields of life.

If I dare to mention some of them here, the first among them are the one and only “کھلاڑی لوگ”.

More than a hundred times I heard of this dare-broken sentence that, ‘everyone should mind their own business. Fine: that’s quite alright. I agree with the creator of this super realistic feared thought.

Let everyone eat pizza, let them wear messy’s shirts and shorts, let them adopt every style the professionals do. Here we come the divides between the Chitralites and the rest, whom I call the professionals. The discussion raises the larger question. Will fashionism turn out to be professionalism?

I believe fashion will homogenize only on the surface. We may wear jeans and name after us Neimar or Messi or else. Whatever. But underneath we may still remain completely what we are (Shero Phosto anjiko sora sher bin n boi) we are in reality still just “trup Chai” loving Chitrali. Many ofcourse argue that looking like Messy will make them Messy really. Oh! Common it could only become culturally lethal and a big mess not Messy.

Here we come with the second professionals the “سیاسی لوگ”.

Political interference in educational institution paved the way to breed such bugs. Student wings of various political parties have ruined the environment. They don’t care whether a patient die due to their immoral and unnecessary stoppage of traffic roads or a punctual student takes his or her classes. They only know how to shout ‘جئے بھٹو’, ‘جئے ولی’ جئے سراج and like ‘نیا بنے گا پاکستان. O bhai! Are you serious is it the new Pakistan?

The activities can only make the youth forget their aim and make them part of the interestophilic game.

Allama iqbal’s powerful words have now been oblivion. His words once left permanent imprint on the minds of the youth during early years.  Overtime, this prayer ‘my wish comes to my lips as supplication- may my life be like a lighted candle, O GOD!’ ceased to be the voice of youth.

The next one in this category is “فیس بکی لوگ”.

The biggest problem with Facebook is that anyone can say anything to any audience irrespective of the basic norms, which ought to be followed while speaking or commenting in public. There should be a public training as to what should be the conduct during a public debate.

The latest scenario getting power of indulging in debate and expressing opinion is playing havoc with the moral and social ethos of our society. The most dangerous aspect of this issue is the ability to hide their identity under the mask of fake Prince and Princess, Dolls or I should say living Dolls. Thus you can be anyone from prince to Doll and yes you can cross the limit also with a simple addition of another adjective like Chocolati Prince and can claim that Fairies are really addicted in Facebook.

From the foundations emerges our youth mentality where one gets into a position to tear all the norms and values one likes without fear. Because there is no private counseling sections devised by our society or by regulatory bodies.

Technology in the wrong hands can be a lethal weapon. This valuable tool is being misused by our youth. It has destroyed their verbal communication skills and makes them oblivious to the social responsibilities.

Realistically I am reactive because I focus on the weaknesses of other people. The problems in the environment over which I have no control. But there is a difference between being realist and being deaf and ignore the lethal development in a society towards which I am also responsible to wipe off. Someone has rightly said that, ‘ignorance of ignorance is a true ignorance’.

The last diamond in my bag is the “شاعر لوگ”.

The well known pleajurists. None of Indian songs and poetry left uncopied. For them here is a great suggestion: the Kite of success generally rises against the wind of adversity – not with it.

However, the problem does not exists only in uneducated or low class but much in educated middle as well as high class of the society.

Behavior management of youth has become the need of hour. The civil societies must actively perform their roles to help the youth in making positive attitudes, creative minds, and to be proactive.

Seventy thousand years ago the cognitive revolution transformed the sapiens mind, thereby developed the ruler of the world. Turning the Ape in to human. To bring the country among the developed nations, to invent tools and money for that cause and ultimately come out of the egg shell and reach the moon. As far we know the cognitive revolution resulted from small changes in the sapiens DNA and a slight rewiring or rewriting of the brain. If so, the situation needs a few additional changes to our genome or in our thought process will be enough for launching a second cognitive revolution.