I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult,” wrote American author and humourist EB White.
Can the youth deliver change? This was the topic of a discussion that I was invited to be a part of at a recent media conclave. My first thought was “Duh! Of course we can, and we have!” Truth be told, the topic angered me. How could that question be posed? Young India was effecting change across so many areas. Wasn’t that evident? But after I calmed down, I understood what really was being asked. It was not so much about whether we could deliver change, but whether we were aware of the areas of change that needed to be delivered and were ready to stand up to that challenge.
My answer is a resounding yes! Change is on the fast track and young India is in the driving seat. Whether it’s cinema, sport, politics, business or even in the realisation of a revolutionary concept like the Tata Nano, young India’s ambition and determination is charting a new course. It’s because we’ve got fire in our belly; we’ve understood that we are on par with the best of the rest of the world and we are not afraid to chase our dreams. I have always believed that change is the only constant and I am a living, breathing example of that. Fauji kid. Miss India. Ms World. Actress. Brand ambassador. A representative of India to the world. I am all of this and more and it’s only because I embraced change.
But flag-bearers of change have a certain responsibility. A key aspect is to exercise our right to vote. We have the platform to make a decision for the country; to move beyond the cribs and complaints. This year, that little black dot is going to have tremendous meaning. It will define the doers from the brooders. Which one do you wanna be?
Stats show that voting is restricted to only 12.5 per cent of the youth population. Ouch! Time to wake up and smell the coffee.
But flag-bearers of change have a certain responsibility. A key aspect is to exercise our right to vote. We have the platform to make a decision for the country; to move beyond the cribs and complaints. This year, that little black dot is going to have tremendous meaning. It will define the doers from the brooders. Which one do you wanna be?
Stats show that voting is restricted to only 12.5 per cent of the youth population. Ouch! Time to wake up and smell the coffee.
My current mantra is a lift from an ad, but it’s one hell of a summary! Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the ones who see things differently. Disagree, glorify or vilify them, but you can’t ignore them. Because they change things. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do!
I believe that every drop of change will contribute to our ocean of need. Just look in the mirror, and you will see the catalyst of change you’ve wanted.
Write to me at priyanka.chopra@hindustantimes.com