If there is one thing that concerns the general conscientious citizens of the State, it is the fate of our lakhs of youth population. Lack of employment avenues and care-free attitudes, our youths today symbolizes the future of Manipur, which is dark and bleak unless a miracle takes place.

Pestering parents for latest mobile gadgets or two wheelers with daily pocket allowances, one wonders how these temporary luxuries of life will help them in the future. One also wonders what will be their fate once their parents become weak or leave them for eternal rest. In other words. there seems to be no solution at sight as to how we harness the talents of these Manipuri youths.

It would not be an exaggeration to comment that our youths today are being led far away from their duties of becoming a good and capable person, who can make the Manipuri population proud with their achievements. It is needless to mention that flashing a mobile handset or zipping in the streets on bikes and hanging out with friends drinking or consuming drugs will ever give them a name in the society in the future.

However, it would also sound sarcastic if we heap all the blame on them. The world has changed, lifestyles have changed. The media, especially Cable TV and globalization has changed the mindset of the youths and not so young people.

One can imagine the life of the youths in places like Mumbai or Delhi. Discotheques, lounge bars, shopping malls, multiplexes, pills, one-night stands etc are part of these youth's life. In fact, today generation and trend changes every three or four years.

On broader spectrum, we may comment that for these youths in metropolitan cities, there is always an opportunity to earn and spend their own earnings. Employment avenues are varied. Even though one's parents may not be a millionaire, one can always aspire to behave like one.

By working at call centres, boutique shops. art stalls or retail museum, one can take home a fat salary which is equivalent to what our Government pays to a junior officer. With the money they earn, they let down their hair, occasionally, and have a good time to celebrate their newfound financial freedom.

As they themselves earn, they are also burdened with social and moral responsibility of using their hard-earned income in a positive manner. Their mobile phones are not just accessories but business tools to keep in touch with their bosses and colleagues. Their bikes or cars are not just luxury but also a necessity that take them to their work places.

On the other hand, on the streets of Imphal, we see irresponsible youths with no aim or ambitions crowding the streets and splurging on the hard-earned income of their parents. Even though they have the talent to work or the determination to be self-independent, still there is no avenue at all!

With the number of educated unemployed youths registering at the various Employment Exchange offices crossing the four lakh mark in a State with little more than twenty lakh population the future is indeed grim. It is impossible to imagine that our State to produce a Noble Laureate or a rocket scientist or say a Booker Prize winner in the future.

Maybe even IAS or IPS is becoming a distant dream if one compares the statistics of the UPSC results recent years. However, one need not worry about politicians because in Manipur, it seems everyone of us is inborn with qualities of a politician.

Look at our youths!

If they are not indulging in mobiles, bikes, drugs, or dates, they either are sleeping at home or out in the streets playing politics. They organize street meetings, conventions, demand financial help, and enforce bandhs and what not - all in the name of Ima Leibak.

In fact, with their activities that do not seem to develop their personalities nor chart a course for their future, I am afraid they are causing more harm and destruction in the society. Simply because with such activities that does not include any academic emancipation or economic viability, they are only driving more nails into the coffin.

Therefore, with such lifestyles and activities that does more harm than good to their personal development, one can only conclude that the youths of Manipur today are being misguided and misled.

Instead of showing them the right path and give more room for self-assessment and exploit their talents, they are being guided how to manipulate, force their way and have the last word whether one is right or wrong. That will only breed neither a political leader nor honest citizen. It will only spurn a new generation of politicians who are corrupt and dangerous for the society.

The time has come to stem the rot from spreading. Parents have the greatest responsibility on seeing that their youths are not running astray or dance wildly to the tunes of some leaders who take them for a ride.

It is also time that the Government should chalk out a policy to encourage our youths to think out of the box and create a room for themselves where their talents can be harnessed and channelised for the good of the society.

Lastly, our youths should realize that the 'good life without a purpose', which they are enjoying at present, is not forever.

Unless they learn to act responsibly for their future.