Today, in the villages of Telangana, the youth are extremely busy. If one person contests in the elections, another stands beside him, forming gangs to disrupt the contest. In these elections, almost every young person has drowned themselves in some camp, some group, or some political party. The youth who should be creating a new trend in the state’s panchayat elections are instead being used by political parties. Through their followers, these parties are placing new wine-shop tenders and setting them up right in the middle of villages without even the slightest hesitation. Schools, temples no matter where you look wine shops are being opened everywhere. Yet the youth, who should be questioning why this unfortunate situation, are instead swaying in intoxication and becoming puppets in the hands of selfish political leaders. This is truly painful.
Recently, in a colony in Medchal district, when a wine shop was set up in the middle of the residential area, only retired employees and parents protested against it. Not a single young person responded. This shows how bleak the outline of our future appears before our own eyes. Therefore, it is time for our youth to reflect on the direction in which they are heading.
Ours was once a land of armed struggle. The soil where thousands rose up against the Nizam and participated in the fight for freedom. A region where every household once clenched its fist and fought for land and rights. It is because of that struggle that we have land today. But now, when the lands of the poor are being taken over by corporate companies, pharma companies, in the name of ORR and TRR, are we questioning it or not? The youth must reflect on this. There is nothing impossible when the younger generation raises its voice. The second phase of the Telangana movement started right from Osmania University. That movement shook the entire nation. Telangana is the only state that was achieved through such an intense struggle. Centered around OU, students sitting on the steps of the Arts College questioned injustices happening in the state and the country; they led numerous protests. But recently, the Vice-Chancellor even issued a circular forbidding such activities at the Arts College premises. This clearly shows the government’s intention to suppress questioning voices.
Among today’s youth too, the spirit of questioning is diminishing day by day. If such is the condition in a region once known for armed struggle, what will happen to the coming generations? The youth must deeply introspect. Once, youth groups in villages and colleges undertook service activities under the names of national leaders. They led movements on public issues. But today, the youth run only for leaders and actors birthday banners, photo-ops and competition for recognition. They celebrate the birthdays of political leaders and film stars as if they were festivals. But if we look closely are our own household issues, education and unemployment looking like festivals today?
Therefore, this is the time for the youth to question. If the youth do not fight now for our education, our healthcare and our employment, then tomorrow our children’s future will be in danger. Hence, for the sake of future generations, for our rights, the youth must question again. They must fight again. They must unite again. This is our responsibility. Our future lies in our own hands.
