ROLE OF YOUTH IN CURBING CORRUPTION

if we are to reach real peace in this world, we shall begin with the
youth
Mahatma Gandhi
The duty of youth is to challenge corruption
Kurt Cobain
In the last decade, the term Demographic Dividend has dominated
newspaper columns and magazines and prime time electronic media. It
refers to the dividends that the massive youth population of our
country in the age group of 15-29 years can bring in the area of
economic growth and prosperity. This spurt in the young population
may not necessarily yield dividend. Many sociologists and
economists flag the crying need to build the human capital in the
country. Unless the capacity and the skill-set of the youth are built and
employment avenues made available, the demographic dividend would
not be a reality.
Interestingly, the same youth has been evincing interest in the socioeconomic dynamics and political statecraft.
This important segment of the society with an increasing panache for
technology has been striving to bring in more transparency in the
society and public life. This trend is discernible not just in India but in
other parts of the globe. Social media and technology have helped this
cause immensely.
Corruption today has transcended all age groups, cultures and
countries. It plaguesplagues institutions across all spheres. Corruption
has continued to be a matter of concern not just in the developing

countries and newly independent countries, which are yet to put in

place a robust mechanism for transparency and accountability, but in
some highly developed countries as well. Regimes have either been
overthrown or been replaced on charges of corruption. Calls for
democracy and liberty in many countries have subsumed the call for
transparency and probity in public life. Let us not forget that in all
these endeavors, the youth has been playing a critically important role.
While in the past, bribery and embezzlement constituted corruption,
today a deficit in moral values and ethical corruption, today a deficit in
moral values and ethical dealings all around has evoked pundits to
broaden the definition of the term. With a much broader framework,
the role of the youth in enforcing accountability mechanisms,
demanding minimum service standards and creating awareness about
the menace has grown manifold
As young peopleThe youth needs to realize we need to the power and
influence we they can wield. When the youth come forward and
galvanize themselves for any particular cause, they become magic
multipliers; If we look back into the corridors of history we will learn
that the Arab spring were sparked by the youth. Though corruption
affects all it tends to hit the youth where it hurts most, in diminishing
job prospects, denying access to education and general social
development of young people eventually subjecting them to a gloomy
future.the seemingly impossible becomes possible. They can play a
pivotal role in enhancing democratization, in the formation of public
opinion, in articulating deficiencies in the developmental process and
in bringing in better transparency and accountability. According to
Larry Diamond, democracy requires a public that is organized for
democracy, socialized to its norms and values, and committed to larger
civic ends. Such a society is only possible with its vibrant youth.

If the notion that says IN YOUTH WE LEARN, IN AGE WE

UNDERSTAND is anything to go by then its safe to suggest that the
leading generation has defied it greatly.
At the societal level, it is the school and parental upbringing that
influences the ethical behavior of the child. Making the child aware of
what the right thing is, encouraging and praising him/her for acts of
propriety and moral value lessons in schools are essential to ingrain
values into the child. Once the child reaches his/her youth, this value
system holds him/her in good stead. He/she can question wrongdoings,
frown upon colleagues who cheat and influence the peerress group to
be honest.

Syllabus in ethics in the schools and colleges would help in

inculcating a sense of propriety and probity. Similarly, this should
also be a part of training curriculum in both public sector as well

as private sector.
At the college level, young people can play a more pro-active
role by monitoring activities and use of funds via vigilance
committees. As the old saying goes, eternal vigilance is the
price of liberty. The youth can bring in a lot of transparency by
participating actively in the college affairs and putting in place a

robust and transparent service delivery mechanism.

Further, the youth must refrain from adopting the easier option
to get the work done bydetermination to not takinge the short
cut by giving bribes. This can be inculcated in people by
satirical dramas and plays, educational workshops etc. The
opinion leaders among the youth must evolve a consensus in this
regard. Celebrity endorsement of transparency would also go a
long way in crafting this consensus. 1Tthe youth in collaboration
with civil society can help enforce citizen charters and
demand answers from authorities.

A large number of youth use social media, which is a very

powerful tool that can be utilized to bring the misdeeds to the
notice of the executive at the highest level, including that of the
Prime Minister. This platform can be gainfully used to bring out
the deficiencies in the various service delivery systems. Those
who ask for bribes can be shamed as well as those who give
bribes. The public grievance system of the various government
departments and organizations can be used to unearth
malfeasance. Complaints can be filed on twitter handles of
government organizations. The tech-savvy youth can and do play

an important role in this regard.

New modes of technology are also helping in revealing
antecedents of public servants and politicians. The youth can
help the police and law enforcing agencies in money laundering
cases too.

Lately PILs (public interest litigation) are being used as a tool

to check immoral and corrupt behavior of public servants. Most
of these PILs are filed by members of the youth who fearlessly

investigate matters and have evidence ready on call.

Similarly the use of RTI by youth has provided information on
election funding, antecedents of representatives etc. this is a
significant step since extravagant election expenditure is one of
the major factors behind corruption.

However, in spite of all these factors, there are a few obstacles that
hamper the process:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Fear of rebuke and reprehension from criminal elements.

Lack of incentive to take action or unearth fraud
Long drawn legal process
Lack of support from peers at times and society branding the
person as difficult.

5. Politicization of the youth sometimes discourages the person to

raise voice against the unethical conduct of someone belonging
to the same political group.
6. Similarly, caste allegiance and religious factors do dissuade the
individuals from taking up the cause in right earnest.
Hence, to tap the exuberance of the youth, it is important to have a
False Claims Act where 40% of proceeds of corrupt money
detected goes to the person who brings out the misdeed. This would
act as a huge incentive. Further the Whistleblowers Act enacted
recently should help. Most importantly, the culture of discipline needs
to be encouraged amongst all across strata. It is then that we can
derive the benefits of the Demographic Dividend in the societal sphere
and not just the economic sphere.
Additions
Inclusion of ethics program in schools and colleges
Training the Teachers to teach these courses
Celebrating Anti-Corruption Day, Human Rights Day