The Spirit of Youth: The Seed of Answers That Blooms from Questions

Youth is not merely a stage of life; it is a cascade of dreams, a wellspring of optimism, and a delicate sprout of self-confidence wrestling with the tempests of social uncertainty. Every generation forges its own values. The youth of today are dismantling traditional frameworks to build new paths. It is for this reason that if we look at them not with a lens of criticism, but with one of understanding, we will see the light of tomorrow. "This generation is lost," "they have no values," "they are just glued to their phones"—how often we hear these refrains. But what if, instead of casting blame, we were to pause, to listen, to look into their eyes? We would find not just confusion, but the luminescence of the future. It is crucial that we seek to understand their perspective rather than constantly finding fault. Every generation arrives with new values and new challenges shaped by its time. The mobile phone and the internet are not merely addictions; they are also gateways to learning and global connection. Within their chaos lies the energy of discovery, curiosity, and innovation. This confusion is not the mark of a generation gone astray, but of one navigating new horizons. Their world is built upon the surging tide of technology. Their entanglement with mobiles, the internet, and social media is not just a story of being lost; it is a story of opening new doors to the world. The eyes of today’s youth are filled with dreams. Dreams of becoming a scientist, an artist, a changemaker. Dreams of revolutionizing the world. Yet, at the same time, the ground trembles beneath their feet. Will my dream ever come true? Will society support me? Or am I just chasing an illusion? This fear sometimes slows their steps, and at other times, lends them speed. These are not small dreams; they are signposts to the future. With joyful encouragement and loving guidance, these personal aspirations can become the blueprint for society’s future. For the India of tomorrow, the world of tomorrow, rests in their hands. The dreams in their eyes are the reality of our future. Their questions hold the seeds of tomorrow’s answers. Let us nurture those seeds with the warmth of trust, with water, with sustenance. The youth of today can match the velocity of the internet, but they still yearn for the warmth of human relationships. They speak to the entire world, yet hesitate to converse with their own inner selves. While racing in the marathon of career, exhausted and breathless, they hold a question close to their hearts: “Where are we going?” This very question stands before all of society, because the questions of the youth are not separate from us; they are a mirror to us. It is easy to blame them. It is easy to dismiss them, saying, "This generation is lost, it has no patience, no restraint." But if we try to understand the dreams in their eyes, offer a pillar for their fears, and accept their mistakes, it is this very energy that will propel society forward. Youth is like a storm. A storm can be destructive, but from that same storm, new shoots can emerge. If given the right direction, this is the generation that will carry society to new heights. Youth, therefore, is not just a phase. It is the power to dream, the courage to question, and the hope to rise again after failure. It is this youth that writes the history of tomorrow. My neighbour, Rohan, just passed his twelfth-grade exams. The day the results came out, I asked him, “So, what’s next?” He smiled a quiet smile and said, “Honestly, Tai, I haven’t even figured out what’s hidden inside me yet.” His confusion is visible on the faces of countless young people. He wants to be a “good son” for his family, a “dashing friend” for his peers, and “cool” on social media. In trying to be all three, he loses himself. This generation's struggle to find its own identity is relentless. This turmoil is mirrored in their career choices. One of my students had an immense passion for dance, but her family insisted, “Can dancing feed you? Become an engineer!” For two years, she poured her soul into preparing for entrance exams. When the results were declared, her eyes held not joy, but a deep void. One day, she confessed to me, “Ma’am, when I dance, my soul lives. When I study, my body lives, but my soul dies.” This is the dilemma that echoes in the minds of hundreds of young people today. I saw it in college with a brilliant young man who suddenly stopped attending class. Upon inquiry, I learned that he had fallen into a depression after falling behind in the competitive race. His family thought he had grown lazy, but in reality, all he needed was someone to understand him. Today, many young people have thousands of friends on their mobile screens, but not a single one to look them in the eye and ask, “Hey, are you truly okay?” Stress, depression, and loneliness are rampant. Relationships once blossomed slowly, over time. Today, a relationship can begin with a single message and end with a reply that is ‘seen’ but never answered. Raju, from the village, set out to prepare for the civil services exam. The entire village showered him with blessings. But one day, he suddenly announced, “I am going to be a farmer!” Everyone was stunned. Some said he had lost his mind. But the confidence in his eyes was of a different quality. Today, he not only cultivates his own farm but also teaches modern technology to the other farmers in his village. What appears as rebellion often hides a deep-seated yearning to create something new. During the pandemic, I saw college students pool their own money to provide oxygen cylinders and food for those in need. This is the youth—spontaneous, determined, and giving. Their energy is sometimes channelled into creating videos, sometimes into new experiments. But with the right guidance, this energy can transform the face of society. It is easy to blame them. But if we listen to their questions, see the dreams in their eyes, and lovingly accept their mistakes, they will undoubtedly build a brilliant future. Though today's youth is besieged by questions, within those very questions lie the seeds of tomorrow's answers. Their confusion, their dreams, their rebellion—this is the very powerhouse that will rebuild our society anew. Perhaps the greatest obstacle in their path is a lack of direction. In today’s information age, they are presented with a dizzying array of options—education, careers, business, arts, opportunities abroad. There are so many paths that choosing one becomes an overwhelming task. This often leads to poor decisions or faltering confidence, an instability that hinders not only the individual but also the progress of the nation. On the other hand, there is a fading of social values. In the rush towards modernity, the warmth of tradition, relationships, and ethics seems to be diminishing. This generation rightly demands freedom, but if that freedom is not accompanied by responsibility, it can become perilous for society. While fighting for their rights, they must also remain conscious of their duties. The third great challenge is unemployment. Millions of young people graduate each year, but jobs are scarce and expectations are high. This disparity breeds frustration, agitation, and sometimes, a turn towards crime. It is imperative, therefore, to create policies that guarantee meaningful employment, not by looking abroad, but by cultivating opportunities within our own society. And yet, despite all these challenges, an infinite potential resides within our youth. The power to innovate with technology, to raise a voice against injustice, to fight for environmental conservation—all this strength lies with them. But this strength must not be scattered. Society must lend a hand to channel it in the right direction. Parents must offer trust, teachers must provide guidance, and the government must create opportunities. Ultimately, youth is not just energy; it is responsibility. To ask questions is their hallmark, but they must also possess the tenacity to find the answers. The hope of the youth and the experience of society, when united, can build a formidable foundation for the future. Today’s youth questions everything. Why this tradition? Why this rule? Why this responsibility? He wants to know, and when he does not get an answer, he grows restless. We think he is a rebel. But the truth is, he prefers to walk with understanding rather than blind faith. This is what we call the power of thought. They will make mistakes—of impulsiveness, of stubbornness, of being misled. But no generation has ever learned without making mistakes. If the elders of today were to recall their own youth, they would remember that they too made mistakes, and it was from those very mistakes that they gained experience, wisdom, and stability. Let us give our youth that same chance. The youth are society's most precious treasure. If their dreams, their questions, and their enthusiasm are given the right direction, they can change the very face of our world. Therefore, our duty is not to criticize them, but to understand them, to believe in their potential, and to guide them. For the youth of today are the architects of tomorrow. The questions in their minds are not merely reflections of their restlessness; they are mirrors of the society of tomorrow. Where there are questions, the seeds of answers are already hidden. It is these questions that will become the seeds that give direction to our future. - Prof. Dr. Varsha Todmal (This article is the translated version of the original article तरूणाई : प्रश्नांतून उमलणारे उत्तरांचे बीज  written byProf. Dr. Varsha Todmalpublished in the Sahitya Chaprak Diwali Ank 2025 ) https://shop.chaprak.com/product/diwali-ank-2025/