Indian Youth and
Social Problems


“You are what you read” is a quote to say that through reading someone will broaden his/her knowledge and know current news and issues, While, without reading someone know nothing. In my hometown in Central Sulawesi, I rarely found youth interested in social activity or social issues of his/her surrounding. If so, their activity is commonly a kind of demonstration without any real action to solve the problem for the sake of the people’s goodness.

I felt so proud to join the exchange program to Bangalore-India, and amazed with the youth for their attention to social problem by involving themselves in some NGOs, such us SCMI (Student Christian Movement of India), YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association), and YWCA (Young Men’s Christian Association).

When joining these organizations, youth learn not only attend a training but they are expected to learn social issues and to involve in such issues to develop their soft skills that are not be obtained in schools or university. In addition, when joining NGOs there are several program is conducted out of the region that depend on the programs level (regional, national and international). This is a chance to get experiences by visiting many places, doing services and broadening relations.


India is a plural country like Indonesia derived from several regions, ethnics, languages, and cultures. The chance to travel and to meet people with different background is very important thing to do as they will know each other, strengthen sense of brotherhood and minimize prejudice.

The low interest and knowledge of Indonesian youth to join organization is one reason why they have less concern to environment and actual issues. The benefits of joining organization is giving added value that is required when they enter work world, because there is not only certificate and grade as the standard but also experiences and activities done outside campus. There are many organizations that can be followed based on his/her interest, such as human rights, youth empowerment, mentoring children with special needs, interfaith community, care for environment, etc.


Through SCMI and the Indian youth, it should be noted that Indonesian youth should increasse the sense of social problems. Indonesia’s next generation should be encouraged to join organization and training that provide knowledge to increase an awareness of social problem in the surrounding community. (JMNP).



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