"The Future Belongs to the Young"

“The future belongs to the young. It is a young and new world which is now under process of development and it is the young who must create it. But it is also a world of truth, courage, justice, lofty aspiration and straightforward fulfilment which we seek to create. For the coward, for the self-seeker, for the talker who goes forward at the beginning and afterwards leaves his fellows in the lurch there is no place in the future of this movement. A brave, frank, clean-hearted, courageous and aspiring youth is the only foundation on which the future nation can be built.”

(Sri Aurobindo, CWSA, 8:168)

 
In a fiery political piece written for Karmayogin in August 1909, Sri Aurobindo summarised in one power-packed sentence what will determine the future of Indian nation – “A brave, frank, clean-hearted, courageous and aspiring youth is the only foundation on which the future nation can be built.”
 
Let us take a moment to reflect on this.
 
Indeed, it is the young people of a country who determine the future course of a nation. What are their dreams and aspirations, what are their struggles and challenges, what solutions and resolutions they come up with – all these are important indicators that point to the direction a nation will take.
 
As Bharat goes through a cultural resurgence, large sections of our youth today are seeking for a new direction, a new way of figuring out what it means to live a meaningful and contented life. There are many who after having gone through the experiences of pursuing a West-aping materialistic lifestyle are now becoming aware of a deeper need to become more self-aware and to pursue a profounder view of life.
 
Many have already begun their journeys to a more conscious and enriching life. There are perhaps many others who despite their young years have somehow recognised the shallowness and superficiality of their ‘modern’ education which ends up uprooting them from their culture and history, and are now keen to discover for themselves truths about their identities and their culture, their country and their society, their roots and their heritage.
 
On this National Youth Day, let us acknowledge and encourage such youthful energy at work to renew the timeless spirit of India. Let us rekindle our aspiration as we continue to walk the path of self-discovery and in that process discover some deeper truths about Indian spirit. Let us aspire to walk steadfastly on the path that India must follow if she has to awaken to her true nature and purpose, her svabhava and her svadharma.
 
In a conversation dated 15th June, 1970 someone asked the Mother, “You have said in one of your messages: The number one problem for India is to find back and manifest her soul. How to find back India’s soul?” The Mother replied:
 
“Become conscious of your psychic being. Let your psychic being become intensely interested in India’s Soul and aspire towards it, with an attitude of service; and if you are sincere you will succeed.” (CWM, 13: 370)
 
This is the essential work the Mother asks us to do for our beloved motherland, for India, our Mother. On this National Youth Day, let us re-commit ourselves to the call of Swami Vivekananda – “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.”
 
~ Beloo Mehra
(Editor, Renaissance)