I'm Indian, and I say that with immense pride. Our country’s deep historical roots, rich culture, and heritage make it unique and stand out on the world stage. No other place is quite like it.
But despite all this, the rise of hatred has started tearing apart the core values of our nation—values that were built on acceptance, communal harmony, and mutual respect. We were a society where brotherhood thrived, where women were worshipped, and where different beliefs coexisted peacefully. But over time, things have changed. Hate and division have become tools to influence people, and attacking other religions and beliefs has become a way to gain power and support.
Looking back at history, the British/Britons ruled over us using their "divide and rule" policy. They fueled religious divisions by allowing only Muslims to vote in certain areas and created a privileged hierarchy among Hindus through the caste system. This strategy worked in their favor, helping them exploit and loot one of the wealthiest regions in the world. Even after gaining independence in 1947, these divisions didn’t just disappear. Many leaders deliberately kept them alive to serve their interests, using hate as a way to maintain power and wealth.
Fast forward to today—India in 2025 has the world’s largest youth population, even surpassing China. This puts a huge responsibility on our leaders to guide and inspire the younger generation in the right direction. But in my eyes, they've failed at that job. The neglect of our core values has impacted our youth, pushing them toward frustration and hopelessness. Hate has been fed into some of them through different sources, and now, it’s causing real harm to the country.
I recently became eligible to vote and I’ve had conversations with friends from different parts of the country and people with diverse backgrounds and ideologies. When we talk about the future, a common pattern emerges—they’re unhappy with the state of Indian politics. Many feel disconnected from leaders who are too old to understand what today’s youth need, how they think, or what matters to them. And since young people are the ones who will shape the future of the world's most populated country, this disconnect is a serious issue.
Many of my friends are considering leaving India for better opportunities abroad. They see other countries where the government listens to the youth, focuses on development, and creates an environment where young professionals can thrive. They don’t feel that in India anymore. The sad reality is that people born and raised here are choosing to leave because they believe they’ll have a better life elsewhere.
This is a big problem. The youth are the backbone of any country, especially a developing one like ours. Right now, India's overall migration rate is around 28-29%, and among students and young professionals, it's even higher at 30%. That should be a wake-up call. The lack of proper education, infrastructure, and opportunities is making India fall behind while other countries continue to progress. This isn't about blaming one particular government or leader—it’s about realizing that the people making decisions for us aren't doing enough to address the real needs of the present.
Whenever I talk to my friends pursuing different careers, they often tell me they no longer feel connected to their hometowns. They feel like their communities have changed, and not in a good way. Unemployment is at an all-time high, with 29.1% of graduates struggling to find jobs. Yes, factors like COVID-19 and an outdated education system play a role, but the bigger issue is that nothing is being done to fix these problems.
All I want to say is this—coming from someone who lives among the youth, talks to them, understands their struggles, and engages with them—it’s time to take these issues seriously. If we don’t, we’re looking at the slow decline of an entire nation.