April 2025

YOUTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY

                                    -Srishti Popli

Youth and social security are closely linked in every country or state. Punjab is not an exception when it comes to addressing the youth's challenges, expectations, and outcomes.

The youth in Punjab harbor certain expectations from their state that frequently go unmet, resulting in a sense of insecurity within this demographic. With young people making up 46.5 percent of Punjab's population, their needs are considerable.

Employment is crucial for social security, as it is directly linked to an individual's financial status in society. In a state like Punjab, many youths migrate abroad in search of social security. While having children settled abroad may provide a sense of prestige for their families, it does not necessarily equate to genuine social security. It often signifies the displacement of youth.

To address this displacement, we must start with education, as it lays the foundation for the future of any state. In Punjab, with a population of approximately 3.41 crore, there are 19000 government schools, which are claimed to be free and fully functional. However, a critical question arises: Are these 19000 government schools truly fully functional? Do they all possess the digital technology necessary for today’s world? Education must equip students with the employment opportunities they need to feel socially secure in their land.

Another issue that arises for the youth is healthcare. They need to have accessible healthcare in their own state for both their parents and themselves. Another question arises here: Why can't there be a mohalla clinic opened in Punjab the way it is in Delhi?

A pressing concern for the youth is the limited access to better employment opportunities, particularly outside of traditional agriculture. Addressing this issue requires skill development programs in sectors such as information technology, renewable energy, and entrepreneurship to mitigate high unemployment rates and a declining interest in farming. Additionally, initiatives focused on combating drug abuse and promoting mental health are crucial for the well-being of the community.

There exists a significant gap between the skills acquired through education and those needed in the job market. In an agrarian state like Punjab, many young individuals receive training in agriculture, while job prospects increasingly emerge in fields like IT and communications as the global economy evolves. As a result, youth often find themselves underemployed in low-paying, low-skill positions despite holding educational qualifications. Even as some move away from agriculture, they face challenges in identifying sectors where their skills can be effectively utilized.

It's challenging to determine how youth in Punjab perceive social security, as each individual has a different perspective but all of them have some common needs as well on which they built the future of Punjab on

Common Needs for Social Security in Punjab

1. Freedom from Drug Abuse

   - There is a pressing demand for effective strategies to tackle the drug crisis, which includes:

  - Stricter enforcement against drug trafficking.

  - Enhanced access to rehabilitation services.

  - Preventative education programs that raise awareness.

   - Young people desire environments that are free from the pressure of drug use.

2. Safe and Stable Environments:

   - Concerns surrounding gang violence contribute to feelings of insecurity.

   - It is crucial for youth to have safe communities that protect them from violence and exploitation.

3. Economic Security:

   - Access to stable employment and economic opportunities is vital for ensuring social safety.

   - Providing young individuals with viable pathways for the future can significantly reduce their inclination toward harmful activities.

4. Support and Open Communication:

   - Young people seek environments where they can discuss their challenges openly, which includes:

  - Supportive family relationships.

  - Access to mental health resources.

  - Encouragement of open dialogue within their communities.

 In Punjab, social security policies have fallen short of effectively addressing the needs of a substantial portion of the informal workforce. These policies encounter several challenges, including inadequate funding, poor implementation, and difficulties in tackling deeply rooted issues such as drug addiction and unemployment. These challenges are particularly pronounced due to the state's heavy reliance on agriculture following the Green Revolution, which has resulted in limited economic diversification and job opportunities beyond farming.

All of this affects women unfortunately in a negative way, starting from drug abuse leading to the increase in violence and poverty they are often married to people living abroad in the promise of social security but in reality, it shows their dependence on other people

 In the end, they advocate for a society that prioritizes well-being, provides ample opportunities, and protects individuals from harm and that they should have a voice in decision-making because they are the future of Punjab.

References

1.   Author: (Gupta, 2020) and (Goyal, 2020)

* Publication: ideasforindia.in (Specifically, an article on the economic development of Punjab)

* Finding: The article discusses the economic development of Punjab, focusing on its prospects and the policies that could be implemented to improve it.

2. Title: Improving Employability: A Challenge for Punjab

Source: The Tribune India

Author: (Likely a Tribune India Comment piece; the author may not be explicitly named)

3. Source: The Wire (m.thewire.in)

Topic: Unemployment in Punjab, India

Purpose: To expose and analyze the failures of successive Punjab governments in addressing youth unemployment despite repeated promises of job creation.

Author: Vivek Gupta

Date: 2022

4.  Author [ Singh 2024] [Kaur 2024] Source  www.panj.org.in [ skill development in Punjab: an analysis of policy and performance]