In a compelling discussion, Colonel Ashokan, the guiding force behind the Olive Greens Institute, recently delved into the alarming trend of youth-led mass protests sweeping the globe. From the streets of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to Nepal, he identifies a troubling “playbook” at work.
But is it just spontaneous anger, or is there a “hidden power” exploiting the frustrations of the next generation?
The Common Spark: Frustration and a ‘Short Fuse’
Colonel Ashokan points to a common thread in these movements: deep-seated frustration with economic instability, rampant unemployment, and widespread government corruption. This discontent, he explains, is amplified by the smartphone and the pervasive influence of social media, which has fundamentally changed the psyche of modern youth.
This new generation, living in a “virtual world,” often has high aspirations but a “very short fuse” and a disconnect from ground realities.
The Real Challenge: Beyond Education to Employability
One of the most critical issues highlighted is the gap between education and “employability.” Colonel Ashokan notes that while we are producing lacks of graduates, a staggering percentage are not truly employable, leading to massive frustration.
Our Responsibility
As a nation with the world’s largest youth population, India must heed these lessons. The senior generation, he argues, is directly responsible for grooming the youth. We cannot simply blame them for being impatient when we have fostered an environment of over-reliance on a virtual world.
This is where the mission of Olive Greens becomes more crucial than ever. It’s not just about preparing for a career; it’s about building a foundation of character, moral values, and real-world skill development that ensures our youth are not just educated, but are also capable, resilient, and employable leaders of tomorrow.