INTRODUCTION
India celebrates Constitution Day as a mark of respect to the venerated document that actually takes care of the system in place for our democracy. Since democracy is about the people ruling, the citizens' active participation is a must and the powerful words in the constitution “We the People” is a reminder that democracy thrives only when the citizens participate actively. The 65% of youth among the whole population of India are a very powerful force that can change the country for the better. Even though the Constitution give the right for youth to participate in governance, their rights are limited to only voting. So, the very important question is: Are the youth really doing their best to contribute to democracy?
CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE YOUTH IN TODAY'S ERA
The Indian Constitution has high expectations from the youth, and it not only considers them as constitutional right holders but also as the ones who keep the democratic values alive. The Preamble’s ideals like justice, liberty, equality and fraternity are not just the principles given in writing but the ones that have to be followed in day-to-day life. When the young generation oppose wrong, support the right of someone, or help bring about an environment that is inclusive, they are actually living the Constitution in its real sense.
The role of youth is further explored by Article 51A through Fundamental Duties such as developing scientific temper, promoting harmony and striving for excellence. These duties assist the young citizens in doing critical thinking, in rejecting misinformation, in respecting the diversity and in making a positive contribution to the society. The youth participation in democracy is therefore not only limited to voting but also having the constitutional values in their ways of thinking, interaction and leadership. The youth with their characters of being informed, responsible and kind become the most potent defenders of India’s democratic spirit. The Constitution has confidence in the young generation to create a future that is not only just but also peaceful and united and the duty starts today.
PROBLEMS FACED BY YOUTH IN RELATING TO DEMOCRACY
Even though the world is full of knowledge, connections, and technology, a lot of young people still consider themselves isolated from the democratic process. That is why the decline in political interest among youth is becoming more obvious and they tend to think that politics is far away, difficult, or just not applicable to their daily lives. Along with the notion that “my voice won’t change anything,” their non-participation is further increased creating a loop of the young will not be involved in decision-making and no consideration will be given to their opinions.
The situation gets worse due to the level of civic education which they receive. A large number of students get the lessons on constitutional rights and duties in a very theoretical way, learning by heart articles and provisions while not realizing the connection between laws and the real world, especially in terms of issues that affect them and how they protect their freedoms. Without real-world illustrations, debates, and chances to get involved, civics will just be labelled as a subject. The developing technology and digital world add another layer of difficulty for the youth to actively participate. The competition for young people's attention from social media, gaming, entertainment platforms, and constant notifications makes them to often consume content that distracts instead of empowering. This would unconsciously change their attention from public issue to digital entertainment.
All these things form a generation that is less aware of how important their participation is in the processes of forming a transparent, accountable and good governance. If young people feel alien towards their own responsibilities, then the democratic system will lose an invaluable source of enthusiasm, energy, innovation, and different point of views. When we say to encourage youth to participate in democracy, it doesn't mean only about teaching politics. The young minds should be guided in order to understand that the democracy lies in their hands and their voices are the real change making devices.
TOWARDS A BETTER DEMOCRATIC FUTURE
In order to strengthen the democracy, India is required to give its youth more meaningful and structured ways to participate and contribute. The government can take a very active part in this process by supporting civic education which is not just a informative subject but also a practical one, motivating the youth to take part in local government activities, and creating places where young people's opinions can help to form public policy decisions and a place where they feel safe to express their opinions. Besides, schools and universities can contribute to the process by setting up debates, mock parliaments, organizing community service activities, outreach programs, and legal awareness programs. Such experiences allow students to know the Constitution not merely as a text but as a living norm for daily life.
Simultaneously, the youngsters must take the charge of being more conscious, knowledgeable, and active. It implies being proactive, pointing out the evil that is done, standing against the spread of false information, and participating fully in the human development of the community. When the youths carry knowledge with active participation, they turn out to be very strong facilitators of change by enhancing accountability, good governance, and making democracy live and grow.
CONCLUSION
The Constitution Day emphasizes that democracy is only strong if its people are active, aware, and participative. The young citizens not only are the future leaders but also the present-day vital contributors to the progress of India. They become the absolute defenders of our democratic values when they take their constitutional roles upon themselves with courage, responsibility, and honesty. The principles of justice, equality, liberty, and fraternity are recognized only when the youth actively participate and are convinced of their rights. The living and thriving of India's democracy depend on the engagement, voicing, and leading of its young people with purpose and integrity.
Author- Shruthika M
"The views expressed are personal. This article is intended for educational purposes and public discourse. Feedback and constructive criticism are welcome!"
