The Trust for Youth and Child Leadership (TYCL), a youth-led non-profit organisation started and run by college students in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, has said that the ongoing spat between the power centres in the Union Territory of Puducherry had led to polarisation within all the groups in society, especially the youth.
“Puducherry is historically known for peace and spirituality. Peace in the governance is essential not only for a harmonious and productive society but also for the development of the youth,” the TYCL said in a message coinciding with the International Youth Day called by the United Nations.
The TYCL, which celebrates International Youth Day on Saturday, listed several serious issues in the Union Territory that warranted urgent attention of the powers that be.
For instance, the Ministry of Labour Annual Report 2014 reveals that the unemployment rate in the Union Territory of Puducherry is 45 which is the highest in India.
The suicidal rate was high at 43.2 per lakh, with the suicide of students in colleges ranking as the highest in the country’s national average rate of 10.6 (National Crime Records Bureau Report-2015).
Meanwhile, traffic accident toll was 73.4 per lakh which was higher than the national average of 32.8 (NCRB Report-2015). The per capita consumption of liquor was 60% compared to the national average of 22% and the habit was taking root among even younger school-going age groups.
‘Collective action’
“This current situation demands collective action to address the pressing challenges of young people and ensure better well-being of young ones and peace in socio-economic and governance system,” the TYCL said.
Drawing on the theme of the International Youth Day this year — Youth Building Peace — the TYCL said peace amongst the youth was best achieved by ensuring that they could live in peaceful communities and pursue their dreams with adequate resources and conscious education.
