It is time for a 'youth manifesto' in India

January 1, 2018 will remain a special day in India's democratic history. On this day, people born in the 21st Century became eligible to vote. These 'Bhagya Vidhatas', as PM Narendra Modi calls them, are the latest addition to India's politically decisive, youth vote bank.

Just like in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, youth voters are likely to play a crucial role in determining the course of India's future in May 2019.

But what are the issues that matter to an average youth voter? The specifics may differ for every person but some core issues manage to bind India's young voters.

While political parties, irrespective of their political leanings, are aggressively wooing young voters, none have ever thought of releasing a special manifesto to address India's 'Gen Next'.

A 'youth manifesto' can become the quintessential document for political parties to articulate their plans for India's next generation. This idea can not only benefit parties, but also the general political discourse. A separate manifesto will allow political parties to establish a closer bond with the country's aspirational youth. India's deteriorating political discourse, largely personality-oriented and communally polarising, can also improve as youth-centric issues gain more traction among the ruling class.

If ever such a manifesto is released, the issues of jobs, education and governance are likely to top the list. These are troubling issues that transcend the divisions plaguing India's vast and heterogeneous society.

Statistics tell a damning story about India's job problem. A World Bank report states that India needs to create 8 million jobs annually. However, with over 15 million youth entering the job market annually, many end up in the unregulated informal sector or run the risk of remaining unemployed. Another report estimates about 18.9 million unemployed people in India by 2019 – youth forming a chunk of the shocking statistic. India's slacking job market has forced even the educated to apply for low-paying jobs, which already receive lakhs of applications. It comes as no surprise that several surveys have constantly rated unemployment as the number one issue facing today's youngsters.

The sorry state of higher education has also been a major cause of worry. With quality education concentrated in few cities, aspirational youth from smaller towns are forced to migrate. Those unable to migrate are left behind in the rapidly changing world. This portends trouble for India's demographic dividend and may cause widespread social unrest in the long run. It also doesn't help that investment in education stands at a measly 2.7 per cent of the GDP. The dismal quality of education has been producing many 'educated' but unemployable youth. While skill development initiatives have been touted as remedial measures, they haven't been as effective as one may want them to be.

Finally, the youth want competent governance in India, especially in the economically backward states. Years of corruption, economic mismanagement and social stagnation have dragged several states into a dark abyss. While the youth in these parts of India may be as ambitious as their economically better off compatriots, they often lose out on account of their state's weak political economy. Many migrate to economic hubs, but inadvertently are entangled in the perennial 'us versus them' debate – adding more salt to their unhealed wounds. In short, they end up losing the 'promise of youth' to political and economic stagnation.

In the run up to the Lok Sabha polls, political parties face an uphill task of wooing the youth as well as 133 million first-time voters. If anything, the December 11 state election results show that politics of caste and religious polarisation may have reached a dead end. Youth voters aspire decent jobs, good quality of life and the opportunity to explore their potential in the rapidly globalising world. They are willing to support any political party which can act as an enabler and not hindrance. While it is unrealistic to expect two-minute noodles-like solution for complex issues, political parties need to begin somewhere – and afresh.

Youth manifestos can possibly act as a trigger, paving the way for a more systemic approach in resolving myriad of issues that concern the youth. But for now, the ball is in the courts of political parties.

The writer tracks Indian politics and international affairs. Views expressed are personal.