|
|
| by Realm - Creating Work You Want, |
Sep 10, 2002 |
I have a plan to unite young weavers, young artisans both female and male who make beautiful art. I really hope that this summit will help me develop this idea of ours. After that, how to bridge the digital divide. If we can actually come into contact and reach out to the other young people from other parts of the world, it would be mutually inspiring and motivating.
What is the youth unemployment rate in India?
(Not sure.)
The information and communication channels are very poor. Most of the time [information] is purposefully kept away. Also, the research has not yet been done, and that is very vital.
What are the biggest obstacles facing youth employment in India?
In India there is a huge young population that is unemployed, and we cannot think about underemployment because unemployment is so acute. You can bargain [for labour], and you can get it almost for free. Eighty to 85 percent of the population are discriminated [against].
What are the biggest industries in India?
Mining, textiles, leather, rice, food industries.
What are the best/worst things about India, in your opinion?
Best: Living in the tropics. It is a heaven on earth. It’s beautifully diverse – biodiversity, cultural diversity, ethnodiversity.
Worst: Discrimination and human rights violations are rampant. Caste system. The highest number of child labourers are in India. When I think about the bad side I really think “Oh God, why was I ever born in this country?” We die in ignorance, live in ignorance.
What is the biggest issue you would like to see addressed at this summit?
The issue of racial discrimination, and the issue of the young people especially. The indigenous peoples, these are the people who need the most immediate, urgent attention, because every minute, every second thousands of them are dying in every corner of the earth.
What do you do for fun in India?
Community dancing and singing. That’s it.
How accessible is post-secondary education in India?
It is very difficult. In the government schools, the competition is very tough. Some of us are actually the first generation [of] literates.
What role should Western countries play in helping developing countries’ employment issues?
Most of the aid agencies are in the developed countries, and I’d like to say to them, look before you leap. I might sound a little bit angry, but I’d like to say, stop aid to our country. Please, you don’t know how it this aid is used. Most of the time they’re used to support [the powerful]. If you really want to do something, go down to the fields, see, look, hear what it is in reality. And then make [knowledge] your foundation. Upon that you can build anything, do anything.
|
Tags
You must be logged in to add tags.
|
Comments
You must be a TakingITGlobal member to post a comment. Sign up for free or login.
|
|
