How young India can join politics and is there financial security in it?

The latest census data says that 41% of Indian population is below the age of 20. You know what that means? That young India will now decide for India in the coming years. The future will be decided by energetic, innovative and highly tech-driven young people. And since development of the country depends on its politics, more and more young people should be encouraged to enter politics to really bring about a change in the society.

At the Young Makers conclave, some of the most influential people from different fields like creators, innovators and ideators came together to motivate the younger generation to unite and join the forces to be the change that they expect to see in the country.

Fact is, even Delhi University elections are won on the basis of caste etc and glamor. -@NupurSharmaBJP pic.twitter.com/c2lq5EReQ1

— Newsd (@GetNewsd) September 21, 2016

The average age for people to join politics is 65 and the average age of people in India is 25. So how can we bridge that gap and bring energy back to the Indian political scene? “I was a regular computer science engineer from a regular college but when things like lokpal debate  started happening, you have to make a choice and take a leap of faith and it does not matter how old or young you are,” said Ankit Lal, one of the founding members of Aam Admi Party.

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(L to R) Gaurav Pandhi of INC, Mayur Shekhar of Newsd, Nupur Sharma of BJP and Ankit Lal of AAP

Agreeing with Ankit was Nupur Sharma from Bhartiya Janta Party who added that she joined politics through BJP’s youth party- ABVP. She said, “I contested in my college times in a wiff and won it actually. No one in my family is from political background or has a law background. And when I joined ABVP there were one and a half part of the group were women.” What both Ankit and Nupur meant was that it is not difficult for the youth to join politics if they have the passion for it.

"If we don't take the plunge there won't be any change" @NupurSharmaBJP's take on youth in politics. #YoungMakers

— Young Makers IN (@YoungMakersIN) September 21, 2016

35% attendees at #YoungMakersIN are women means the empowerment is on way. Great quotes by @NupurSharmaBJP at @YoungMakersIN

— Rajeshwar Singh (@rajeshwarsh) September 21, 2016

Gaurav Pandhi, Head, Social Media Outreach for Indian National Congress claimed, “The difference now is that our views are not restricted to a particular constituency and that has only happened because of social media.”

In case you are worried about how financially viable a career in politics is, Nupur shares some of the ways to make a political career financially sustainable. “You can work from home in politics now and get pay-checks. A lot of young political leaders make money by writing articles in magazines. It’s all about seeking opportunities.”

Next Discussion on Can Young India Transform Politics? #YoungMakers pic.twitter.com/jWQP2gZFko

— Young Makers IN (@YoungMakersIN) September 21, 2016

She added, “In India, we need to regulate political parties in that sense and here it’s illegal to lobby work.”

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While Gaurav concluded the issue by saying that if you want to work in politics then you need to realise what your needs are rather than your wants. It is the passion that should drive you in the field and not the money it yields in the later years as there are no shortcuts for hard work.