Top 10 Young Voices on International Youth Day 2021

12th August is celebrated as International Youth Day and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres has given a very pertinent message on International Youth Day 2021. While speaking of the power of the young voices, he has emphasized the need to engage, include and understand the youth. Fortunately, the young voices have been active on our platform and have voiced their thoughts on a very wide range of topics. On this International Youth Day 2021, we present a potpourri of the Top 10 Young Voices.

However, let’s begin with this message by the United Nations Secretary-General to set the context

Top 10 Young Voices on International Youth Day 2021

We present below the snippets of the Top 10 young voices that have been shared on our platform in the recent past. The thoughts shared by the youth have been categorized into ten themes, presenting quite a variety! Enjoy travelling the world through the lens of the youth on the occasion of International Youth Day 2021.

#1 – Youth and Education

On this International Youth Day 2021, we are confident that the youth have a bright future ahead. There is light at the end of the tunnel as the archaic education system is set to be revamped with the advent of the New Education Policy (NEP). Vasu Goel, a student at IIM Udaipur, shared his thoughts on the NEP and how it is set to revolutionize education.

If you are interested in knowing about the implications of NEP at school level, read Harinder Chabbra’s views on the impact of NEP, delivered from his unique vantage point of establishing and successfully running a school, that has already started winning laurels at the national level in it’s first few years.

#2 – Conquering the World

While on the topic of education, one of the turning points in youth is typically when one leaves home for hostel. The impact can only be understood and appreciated by those who have taken this journey, as it can be compared to the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly.

Diksha captures the emotions of this journey as the youth leave from Home to Hostel, to pursue their dreams.

#3 – Dreams and Failure

While the youth dare to dream, society often wants to rein them in and as a result, the younger ones condition themselves over time to refrain from speaking about their dreams. In this poem, Tanvee Maheshwari speaks about the transformation that awaits you, should you choose to talk about your dreams.

And, in case you are afraid of failure or apprehensive about not achieving your dreams, Hansika Singh guides you to not just deal with failure, but also to enjoy the process of failing and getting up again!

#4 – Strengthening the Mind

These powerful thoughts clearly show us that it is all in the mind. However, in this age of perennial distractions, it is not quite easy to focus on the present. That’s where young Gauri Wadehra comes in and shares her experiences with Mindfulness. We are sure after reading this, you will believe that being mindful is certainly not a handful for GenZ.

Neither is the process of learning, as Yatharth Soni, a teenage entrepreneur, demystifies the process of learning using the Feynman Technique. We are sure the older ones will also fall in love with learning once they read this.

#5 – Sparking Curiosity

One of the other attributes of the young minds that the elders crave for is their innate and unadulterated curiosity. Saptak Pandya takes us through a journey that led him to several international conferences, sparked by his curiosity. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it has a very different impact on our youth!

#6 – Learning from MUNs (Model United Nations)

While we started this post with an address by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the youth have their own variant aka the Model United Nations to empathize and resolve global issues. Prisha Sinha provides her valuable guidance on cracking the MUN code and Devishi Aggarwal speaks about her journey through the MUNs discussing a diverse range of issues while representing countries such as Indonesia, Malawi and Moldova!

#7 – Differentiating Perception and Reality

These forums help the young ones develop empathy for each other and draw the distinction between perception and reality. This point has been beautifully elucidated by Tanvee Maheshwari in her think piece about Perception. These young voices are surely breaking stereotypes about the youth, as they delve deep into the complex inner workings of the mind.

#8 – Budding Entrepreneurs

Turning attention from the mind to the world of business, the young voices from the entrepreneurial ecosystem are not to be left behind. From The Experts’ Mouth was the Digital Media Partner at Uttishtha ’21, the entrepreneurship fest at IIM Kashipur and we loved the dedicated segment for school children at this fest. One of our youngest authors, Devishi Aggarwal, attended the event and captured her thoughts on the startup ecosystem.

A few young entrepreneurs also shared their interesting journeys on our platform. Aadya Jaipuria and Isshika Chopra share their story of how their passion for the crafts helped them make the move from an Instagram-based venture to a budding business venture, Sweaterletters. Chhavi Aggarwal speaks about how she applied her research skills and knowledge to develop cruelty free cosmetic products and create a socially responsible vegan makeup business.

#9 – Caring for the Society

It is indeed heartening to see that the young voices are quite vocal when it comes to social issues and they put their money where their mouth is! While Chhavi created cruelty free makeup products, Arnika Singhal touched upon menstrual cycles and the attitude of society towards it. Her poem and accompanying thoughts on ‘Let It Bleed’ will surely cause you to pause and ponder.

#10 – Caring for the Planet

Last but not the least, the young voices are very active in speaking about and protecting the environment. Unlike a lot of posturing and platitudes that we see in international deliberations around climate change and environment, the future is in much safer hands. This poem by Tanvee Maheshwari published on World Earth Day highlights the impending Wrath of Mother Earth, if we do not mend our ways.

Putting Thoughts to Action on International Youth Day

And on that note of warning, let us use the occasion of International Youth Day 2021 to reflect on the range of perspectives that the Millennials and the GenZ’s bring to the table. Let us celebrate these Top 10 young voices and provide them with the much needed platform and support to not just share their thoughts but also to put them into action!

We, for one, welcome one and all, young and old, to share their experience, wisdom and insights on our platform, as we strive for a more inclusive and progressive world!