The term ‘nation building’ is usually used to refer to the constructive process of engaging all citizens in building social unity, economic prosperity and political stability in a democratic way. A nation is built out of the human intellect. This means that a nation cannot be built without the recognition and the collective efforts of all citizens, skilled and unskilled, young and old.
Nepal is not so big country but it has a large population. Nepal’s present population is more than 2 crores 31 lakh according to the census 2001. Those between the ages of 15 to 35 form more than 50 percent of the total population. For our purpose we count them all as the youth. These include students, employees, workers, farmers and persons from various professions including the unemployed—educated or else. These young people con¬stitute a large force. They are energetic, enthusiastic and full of passion. Unfortunately a large number of them are without any direction. It is dangerous to allow them to remain idle, as it would increase their frustration. A large number of them are capable, devoted, dedicated idealists and are fond of work. Their frustration is a result of their being without any worth¬while job. It is a great national wastage if these energetic hands and brains are not provided with some kind of work to meet the needs of the nation. No country can permit such wastage. What is needed is that they should be taken into confidence and given a direction—some constructive work. This huge manpower can do wonders provided its enthu¬siasm is harnessed for development work. Nepalese youth have never lagged behind when called upon to meet a challenge. It is for the national leaders to play their part by mobilising their abilities and providing them with a direction.
Let there be no doubt about their strength, power and capability. Their counterparts have changed the govern¬ments in their own countries. It was the youth of Indonesia who overthrew President Soekarno. The massive youth movement in Czechoslovakia succeeded against the military invasion on their country. The recent history of Cambodia, Cuba, France and Pakistan provide evidences of their unbeatable force. Even in our own country the youth played a very inspiring role in bringing Loktantra.
If we exclude the youth, the rest of the population of Nepal will comprise old people and children. They cannot be called the real manpower of the nation. So we may say that if the youth of the country are not inspired to devote their energies to the task of national reconstruction, the whole manpower of the nation is being wasted.
It is not very difficult to mobilise the youth for nation-building.There can be a large number of schemes, projects and programmes wherein their total involvement will bring quicker and better results. They can play a key role in the socio-economic regeneration of the society. There are many evil practices in our society. If the youth is associated in a drive against these practices, the results may be much more satisfactory. There may be schemes connected with the raising of the level of production in agriculture. The youth may be assigned the job of distribution of knowledge for better farming, new techniques and proper use of fertilisers and pesticides. What is required is that they may be given sufficient training in these tasks. The youth may work successfully as an arm of the administration in the implementation of governmental programmes aimed at fighting against these and other maladies. Another field in which their energy may be usefully employed is the task of adult education. Being given a little support, they may take over the great responsibility of fulfilling the targets fixed by the government. Their services may similarly be utilised for preventing and fighting offences like smuggling, black-marketing and so on. They can at least create public opinion against those who indulge in such unfair practices. What is needed is that we should have faith in their capacity and capability.
The young people may be inspired and encouraged to adopt villages or other suitable units of operation, where they may cancentrate on the improvement of physical and social environment. This will lead to socio-economic progress and help to channelise the energies, interest and idealism of the youth in the task of nation-building. It is certain that the youth will make full use of the diverse opportunities offered to them. If would make the task of nation-building easier and quicker.
