Grooming our leaders of tomorrow

Youths are the greatest wealth and strength of any nation. The future of a nation lies in the hands of its posterity. That is why a society that prepares its youths for the future will not only ensure its future development, but will also prepare its next set of leaders to face up to the challenges of building a peaceful, developed nation.
At present, 33 per cent of our population belongs to the age-group of 0-14 years, 18.8 per cent to the age-group of 15-24 years and 37.6 per cent to the age-group of 25-54 years. If we can harness this powerhouse of the nation and guide it in the right direction, then the country can reach greater heights. All political parties of the country seem to know about and understand the situation well. They preach that if we want to achieve a better and more organised Bangladesh, we need to ensure the well-being of our younger generation, create an atmosphere congenial to developing a positive attitude, along with the related values, ideals and morals, in them, so that they are ready to take the responsibilities and challenges of adulthood. But in reality, the politicians are practising completely the opposite of what they are preaching. They are using the youths to serve their own interests either to gain state power or to remain in power.
Lately, our politics has been characterised by conflicts and corruption; almost all political parties have introduced corruption and violence to the younger generation. We must understand that man is a product of his environment or value system. It is the value system that shapes the perceptions and beliefs of the people. Therefore, society with a strong value system will experience high development and disciplined groups of people. A society with a weak value system will experience chaos and underdevelopment.
We are currently passing through difficult times in regard to economic, social and political unrest. Almost every day, we are witnessing one or another incident of abduction, kidnapping, murder, acid attack, rape, shooting, stabbing -- and campus violence, in which involvement of young activists from different political parties is  common. There are demonstrations and strikes, brutalities and other hideous acts that affect hundreds every day. Many psychologists are of the view that people who are exposed to violence and destruction in their early ages or live in a society where the media is filled with the images of violence and the 'messages' of doom and destruction, even for short period of time, have to undergo long-term effects.
Seeing the gory images of violence, blood and arson day after day, the young people, especially children, may show signs of anxiety and panic which will disrupt their natural mental development and behaviour. As a matter of fact, our society has already started experiencing symptoms of such mental disorders among the young people who quite often get restless and agitated over a trivial matter leading them to the extent of killing their opponents on occasions.
 In the recent past, we have seen the infighting of the students' wings of two major political parties of the country. According to the annual reports of rights body Ain O Salish Kendra, from January 2009 to last month, as many as 167 people died and 13,345 were injured in 1,080 infightings. In 10 months from the beginning of this year, 27 died in 114 such clashes.
Many are blaming student politics for this debilitating culture and are in favour of banning the same. But banning student politics is not the real solution. One may recall the contribution of our youths and students to major political movements, including the Language Movement of 1952, political movements of 1969 and the Liberation War of 1971. But, unfortunately, with the passage of time things have changed. Partisan politics, greed for power and money has polluted our current student politics. We need to understand student politics should be based on students' interests, and it is most beneficial when it is tied to the fortune of their welfare with the creation of leadership.
Youth is that phase of life where dreams are built and a bright future is foreseen. This is the time to foster moral principles, construct value systems and begin an all-new journey on the path of the 'right'. But, unfortunately, against the backdrop of corruption and moral bankruptcy all around and manifestations of muscle power, most of the younger people have become apathetic to politics. No other alternative is in sight: either some of them will end up joining the 'traditional' process or leaving the country (the talented ones) at the first opportunity they get. All this is leading us to a dangerous situation and things are getting from bad to worse. The faster we come out of this quagmire the better it is for the nation.
The present political leaders should focus on harnessing and utilising the energy, passion and spirit of the youths through positive means to engage them fully in the economic and social sectors.  If neglected, the younger generation might turn despondent and violent. Time has come for all political parties, including the ruling alliance, to make some political corrections. They can start by dissociating student politics from the mainstream one, or any other business interests. They ought to allow only genuine students to engage in student politics. Besides, they must redesign the education system and develop it further in a way where youths can engage themselves in playing a constructive role.
Last but not least, all political parties should start behaving responsibly. The nation's future can be secure if we can ensure the well-being of the children and youths.

The article has been abridged.
 [email protected]