PRIVATE SECTOR MUST INVEST IN EDUCATION

Some 320 million people will enter India’s workforce in the next two decades, with a potential to transform not only India but the entire world. Many of these young people – mostly urban, educated and enjoying at least a minimum standard of living – aspire to much more than previous generations.

“Young people want greater transparency in governance and a more participative government,” said Vineet Nayar, CEO, HCL Technologies, “and they aspire to lead and break free from socially-backward conventions such as caste-based discrimination. They see themselves as potential creators of wealth and stakeholders in India’s future. They will value human dignity – regardless of caste, religion and other social attributes – much more than previous generations.”

As one panelist opined, these young people are not impatient enough – they must absolutely insist on the changes the country so direly needs.
However, India needs to create greater social and physical infrastructure to fulfil the aspirations of these millions. The policy-makers and lawmakers of today are older and do not interact much with youth, who are the future. There is a difference between what youth want and what is being delivered. Although there are more younger politicians than in the past, politics has not changed much.

To bring about the massive change that is required, government, civil society and the private sector must all do their part. The government needs to make civil service more professional and rework the role, capacities and incentive structure within government. It must provide basic services and ensure greater internal and external security.
Vineet added that the private sector, for its part, must invest in education, take part in infrastructure creation and generate jobs