As Bharat continues to rise as a global leader, challenges and opportunities abound. It brings forth the question of what the future of the world’s largest democracy would be. Who would be responsible for shaping the Bharat of tomorrow? A common response, and rightly so, would be the next-generation youth.
PM’s call to the youth
Prime Minister Modi recently made a clarion call from the Red Fort to bring one lakh youth from families with no political associations into politics. This will prove to be a milestone in the evolution of our political system. The fresh blood of our nation has already proved its mettle in academia, entrepreneurship and technology. However, in politics and legislatures, both in Bharat and globally, low youth participation and representation is a growing concern.
In a democratic republic like ours, political parties are key functionaries of governance and manifest people’s will into decisions that affect all of us. Therefore, political parties have an inherent duty to train and create future leaders who become accustomed to putting the ‘nation first’.
The future of Bharat as a developed nation rests in the hands of competent political leadership. Leadership building in politics cannot be pursued merely by agitations or exercising power. It requires intention, focus and systemic perseverance.
Nation’s collective youth force
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) inherits an excellent framework of cadre training. It is bequeathed with ideological moorings from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Through organisational reforms, policy initiatives and novel youth programs, BJP’s youth wing—the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) is training its Karyakartas to shape a dynamic and motivated cadre of young political workers. The blended training prepares the cadre to own up to the responsibility of not only safeguarding the nation’s democracy but also ensuring it is progressive and rooted in civilisational ethos.
We witness a demographic dividend, wherein we as a nation have the largest number of young people as well as the largest working population in the world. Collectively, we are endowed with infinite young energy to make Bharat a superpower and lead the world. Therefore, youth empowerment has been the focal point of the Modi government, and the internal functioning of the party, as well.
Organisational push for youth participation
Most importantly, the BJYM has successfully broken the preconceived notions regarding the involvement of the youth in the party. It started with the introduction of an age limit of 35 years for appointments in the Yuva Morcha across all levels. The party has created an open platform for committed, talented and aspirational youngsters to play a part in politics irrespective of their background.
The identification and nurturing future leaders is a regular organisational exercise within the party. Be it being the youngest cabinet in the Union Government or the youngest ever Yuva Morcha team, the party has successfully given a message to ensure the importance of young energy at the right place and right time.
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Policy, Research & Training
In line with the principle that consistent training programs are crucial for refining our ideological clarity and strengthening our dedication to serve the party, BJYM has systemised the approach. This includes the establishment of a dedicated Policy, Research & Training Division which continuously engages in the designing programmes for upskilling of Karyakartas, among other mandates. BJYM’s training is designed to ensure that cadres are more than just mere agitators. A team of BJYM Karyakartas now continually works to assist the party leadership in policy briefings, feedback and innovations.
Innovative programmes and Karyakarta development
There have been various innovative initiatives to create 21st-century Karykartas who are equipped with all requisite skill sets. The BJYM Sushasan Yatra engages Karykartas in an experiential learning tour focused on governance initiatives. Each delegation includes Karyakartas from the booth level to national office bearers, representing various states within a single group. They visit governance models, meet senior party leaders, and interact with the general public. This provides exposure and hands-on experience in governance to enhance their understanding.
Another programme called the BJYM Policy Dialogues, provides an opportunity for promising Karyakartas to communicate with senior ministers and policymakers in focussed discussions.
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BJYM Vidya Kamal
BJYM offers a unique digital certification course for Karyakartas through its in-house e-learning app, Vidya Kamal. The fundamental and advanced courses cover key areas such as the party’s ideology, history, and working system. It also teaches policy issues like Aatmanirbhar Bharat and India’s Techade. The courses also cover topics like legal activism for political Karyakartas, and media and social media management.
The courses feature exclusive master classes by senior party leaders and experts, with reading material provided for each session. A quiz must be passed after each module to unlock the next session, culminating in a certification. The courses are bilingual, available in Hindi and English, with plans to expand to other languages soon.
Beneficiary interaction, feedback & in-house activities
Among various survey activities, the BJYM Border Village programme and tribal youth survey are worthwhile mentioning. The BJYM National Team members visited and interacted with villagers in remote areas under two different programmes. The findings and policy suggestions were then accordingly channelised to the higher leadership.
The national, state and district-level programmes such as the BJYM National Youth Parliament and Atal Debates have created a platform for the personality development of Karyakartas. They can observe the incentivisation through good reading and governance activities. This elevates the skillsets of the existing Karyakartas and attracts more youngsters from professional backgrounds, who can see a place for them in the party.
The BJYM Magazine has successfully published 34 editions giving a platform to 400+ authors. All these editions are themed on critical governance issues, to provide the readers with well-researched readings with multiple perspectives.
Full-time professionals and graduates from premium institutes in tier 1 and tier 2 cities are showing a keen interest in working for the party. They are ready to dedicate 12 -15 hours per week to party activities.
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Technological infusion
Digitisation and technological infusion in the party activities at the national and most state units are no longer new initiatives. Every BJYM programme has a centralised registration portal up to the mandal level (sub-district level). In the Nav-Matdata Sammelan which was held during recent elections in the district units across the nation, nearly 55 lakh Karyakartas and participants registered on the portal on a single day.
The monitoring of various activities is conducted through dashboards and activity trackers. The effective use of technology is helping to fill in the geographical gaps and accessibility issues for the Karyakartas and the organisation.
Youth in governance
The PM Modi-led government has opened up doors for the youth to participate in policy-making and governance, following the Pre-legislative Consultation Policy of 2014. Last year, BJYM conducted a nationwide consultation to contribute to the draft of the upcoming National Youth Policy by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. Similarly, another consultation was conducted on the uniform civil code.
Toward clean politics
The young office bearers and Karyakartas are strongly encouraged by the party leadership to establish a reliable and sustainable source of income to become financially independent. The way to honest service and clean politics is one’s own financial independence or freedom, and reduced dependence on luxuries. The same has been imbibed in the training programme of BJYM. The National Training Camp of BJYM hosted successful startup founders to guide the Karyakartas. Similar sessions are being conducted in various state training programmes.
BJYM is like a gymnasium for all aspiring political leaders who are ideologically committed and ready to immerse in party activities for national service. Taking inspiration from the great ideologue Late Dattopant Thengdi, BJYM programmes are designed to ensure that there is a person for every task and a task for every person.
Swami Vivekananda once said – “Your country requires heroes; be heroes; your duty is to go on working, and then everything will follow of itself.”
The BJYM is one such organisation, which in its relentless endeavours, has seen numerous heroes emerging out of tough times and situations. Several former Karyakartas of BJYM are serving the government and society in various capacities. The present Karyakartas are readying themselves to lead and achieve the paradigm of Viksit Bharat.
The authors, Tejasvi Surya is a Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) & National President, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha and Suyash Pande is National Co-Incharge, BJYM Policy, Research & Training and Advocate at the Supreme Court. Views are personal.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)
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