Globalisation? Over 70% Indian youth never heard it

A section of Indian youth are still conservative in making friends outside their religious circles and more than a two-third have never heard about globalisation, said a report released in New Delhi.

The report 'Indian Youth in a Transforming World: Attitudes and Perception' was released by Centre of the Studies of the Developing Societies on Monday in collaboration with Konard-Adenauer-Stiftung, an international organisation with German roots.

The report said that only 29 per cent of the Indian youth have ever heard about globalisation while 66 per cent of them still consider alcohol as taboo.

About 48 per cent said they have strong faith in the democratic values while 27 per cent were indifferent to these issues.

Presiding the event, psephologist Yogendra Yadav from CSDS said 'the survey exposes the underlying attitude of the youth and tries to study political and social values prevalent among the India's youth population.'

Family remains a key institution among the Indian youth with parental authority continuing to be crucial, with 60 per cent saying that final decision on marriage should be taken by parents.

"Family support system is invaluable." While 27 per cent of country's youth reported that they did not have friend from other gender, religion or caste.

Commenting on the fact that youth of the country is transforming but the politics is not, Lok Sabha MP Sachin Pilot a panel member said, "India politics is also changing and we will see much transformation during the next decade."

"There is disconnection between golabalisation and the 'Dalit youth' of this country because youths belonging to that segment of the society are still concerned about social and political security like right to vote," a panelist, Bhanwar Meghuvanshi of Dalit Adhikar Avam Ghumantu Adhikar Abhiyan from Rajashthan said.

"Dalits welcome modernisation and technology but we are afraid of globalisation as we are not able to participate in it," he said.

Muslim youths said they are discriminated upon in terms of employment opportunities, according to the survey.

Youths are vertically split about India's relations with the United States of America. 39 per cent of the youths oppose US hegemony while 35 per cent are in favour of broad relationship with the super power.

Urban youths want better relations with Pakistan in comparison to rural youths, the survey claims.

"Dressing up in the latest fashion is important among the Indian youth. Young men in India tend to be more fashion conscious than young women," the report said. Internet penetration in India remains poor.

Only 12 per cent used internet frequently.

Asked about prioritizing their concerns, 54 per cent said that they are most worried about unemployment and poverty while 35 per cent of the youth said that terrorism in the country is largely due to the government failure.

For 44 per cent of the youth population carrier is their greatest anxiety. 24 per cent of the youth said that they are anxious about global terrorism.

The survey recognised 'education' as the key driver of modernism and the educated youths pledged more faith in the Indian democratic system.

India's 34 per cent of the total population consist of the youths, one of the worlds largest and in line with countries like China and Brazil. Remarkably, India will be the only country even after more than a decade which will continue to have 34 per cent of the youth population.