Make way for the young : a commentary

25 January 2008

Youth issues have been around for a while awaiting some affirmative actions. Will the new breed of young legislators bring the much-anticipated solutions?

The run-up to the National Council elections was filled with cynicism on the quality of candidates. One of the most resonating statements being that the candidates were too young and inexperienced for the job. As we consign the first elections to history, we can conclude that the collective wisdom of the Bhutanese electorate has prevailed. Where there was the choice for an older and “wiser” candidate, the people did so. And along with the first lot we have pool of young legislators who have prevailed over older contestants. The question that now lies ahead for them is whether they would fulfil the expectations of the Bhutanese people.

One of the weaknesses of these candidates is also their strength – the youth factor. Because one disquieting issue confronting our society is the emerging youth problem and everything associated to that. Can our young parliamentarians bring some fresh perspectives to this old problem? I would really like to believe that they will. Because all said than done, to put it mildly, we have not been too successful thus far.

First of all, we have failed to understand that youth today are no different than the youth of yesteryears. We shrug them off as ‘alu tamaship’. But I would think that they are no different. I mean as Thais say, actually “we are same same.” The only difference lies in the fact that they are only more inquisitive and more rebellious – seeking some extra space to express themselves. But deep inside those careless hairstyles and weird dresses, they are very susceptible and they are still very Bhutanese at heart and they deeply love our country as much as we do.

Then we think we are doing a great job as adults and decision makers while the youth today are completely lost. Other than some rhetoric here and there, what have we as a society and individuals done to guide them and show them the way? We have failed to create employment to make them feel secure about their future. We have failed as parents pursuing our own career and gambling habits. We continue to dump our children with young baby-sitters and inexperienced housemaids. We continue to deny there are any gang fights and street violence while the girls find the streets totally unsafe. We even question their sensitivity and their Bhutanese-ness just because they are hip-hop and Korean music lovers.

During the last Children & Youth Festival where we taught children to make short films and documentaries, one of the groups came up with a very touching creation titled “Dogs & I”. The young filmmakers had unconsciously compared themselves to street dogs and made a parallel of a day in the lives of the dogs and themselves. It just went on to show where their self-esteem lies.

In the same festival another group of children made “Unheard Voices” featuring three disadvantaged children, with the sole purpose of highlighting their plights. The film garnered a huge success. Not so much in the grand jury award it won but in finding a Good Samaritan to sponsor the education of two of the children who featured in the documentary. Hence, neither can we claim to understand our youth nor can we underestimate the sentiment and sensibilities of our children. If we as adults care and have the will to shape and make a difference, there is still hope.

It is not the lack of policy – let’s be honest. From the highest level the intention is clear. We must do something about youth and the growing unemployment. But as the message trickles down, somewhere it loses its significance, purpose and the interest. And definitely at implementation level we have not found the Holy Grail – a convincing practical solution to address the problem. Not to mention the inherent belief that the government has the answer to everything – both within and outside the civil service. Unless we change this mindset we will be totally blinded to find any solution. One strategy for example is being little more open and broadminded to the private sector. Take it as a partner on board. Like how they do in the West, private firms could be subsidised if they agree to take in more youth. Subsidy could be in the form of tax holidays which could be extended to even smaller private enterprises. It is obvious that if a company does well, there would be more employment. Subsidy could also be in reimbursements of salaries and preferential treatments for companies employing more. What recognition is there for employing more? On the other hand, briefcase suppliers, one-man armies and firms that do not employ people should be even barred from taking up government contracts. Then once we keep our youth occupied, it is possible that they don’t indulge in gang fights, drugs and street violence. An idle mind on the other hand is sure a devil’s workshop.

I don’t want to sound saintly but it breaks my heart to read every time one life extinguishing here, another life going off somewhere and to say, “No, we don’t have a vacancy here.” Apart from the growing frustration there also seem to be a growing desperation. The latest one being in Phuentsholing where a class XI drop-out died in a hotel room. Possibly committing suicide after seeing no future or scope.

As we welcome our young parliamentarians into the first historic Upper House, we hope they will bring some unsullied ideas and freshness into this very issue. By the way, there is nothing wrong to be young and parliamentarian? Even advanced countries like UK boasts couple of very young MPs while in Germany sits the youngest parliament. The Czechs had a young Prime Minister in Stanislav Gross, 34, while Dominican Republic continues to have world’s youngest Prime Minister. So even here in Bhutan it’s okay to own an Ipod and be an NC member. What is more important is what they would do for the country. This is democracy, at its best. So, make way for everyone – including the young.