A shining star on the rise

Today’s youth are gung-ho about India’s future but not many want to jump on to the
political bandwagon

This a city where the young people are gung-ho about the future — 65 per cent see a bright future for India. The naysayers are in a minority of 26 per cent. Those working in BPOs are the most unhappy with 44 per cent seeing hope and  an equal 44 per cent seeing no hope.

Politically aware, over 70 per cent have voted in an election and over 60 per cent voted in the last municipal elections — democratic awareness at the local level promises interesting change. However, only 28 per cent look at politics or the administrative services as career choices.

But there is enough opinion about the problems facing India. Poverty tops the list, followed by lack of infrastructure, corruption and out of date thinking. However, this survey was done before MPs waved wads of cash in the Lok Sabha, so corruption may well move higher if the question was asked today. There is high acceptance — over 60 per cent — that rural India is being neglected but only 36 per cent feel that we have to grow together as a nation. Over 50 per cent feel that it’s each man for himself.

There is some optimism for Mumbai city too as  almost 55 per cent think that it has the potential to become a world class city. Over 35 per cent give the Maharashtra government a good rating, while 38 per cent give it a fair. The Centre gets a 29 per cent good and 47 per cent fair.

Obviously, inflation and fears of an international recession have not dampened the enthusiasm of the young — some 67 think that India can win a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.