World Youth Day

It's your day today - World Youth Day - and of course, we're celebrating the exuberance that young people bring with them. But with Independence Day around the corner, does the Indian youth feel they're really free? If s, what gives them that freedom? If no, what do they think ntry still needs? Today, JT gets you answers from some eople who've made a difference in their respective fields.

(Contributed by Jaya Drona, Chandna Arora, Aparajita Mukherjee, Shweta Thakur and Divya Kaushik )

> 'Free us from
technology'
We need freedom from technology. Or rather, freedom from our dependence on technology, for technology in itself is a wonderful thing and an inherent part of the progress of our race.We're all so roped in and tied down without even realising it. We get excited by using GPS in our cars and don't stop to think of how strange it is that we can be tracked anytime, anywhere. Credit cards trace our every move and we only think of the convenience of not carrying cash. Emails yoke us to our work every minute of the day and social networking sites, under the pretext of building communication, take us away from real face-to-face interaction with other human beings.
The more we rely on our gadgets to think for us, the less we think ourselves. Unless we constantly remind ourselves to take responsibility for exercising our own minds, connecting with nature and reconnecting with our spirit, we are little better than the machines we rely on.
Anoushka Shankar, sitarist

> 'My upbringing
freed me'
What rankles is that we're counted as an emerging superpower, but we're not there yet. And in that context, I guess what's holding us back is that education is not available to everyone. And no child should have to work while he or she is studying. Foreigners think India is a land of slums, and who can blame them? But when you land in Mumbai, all you see are slums! To exploit their potential to the fullest, the next generation needs to be educated. I'm not saying it'll solve all their problems, but at least they'll be able to lift themselves out of poverty. As for me, I'd say it was my upbringing that freed me. I was a bright student, and when I decided to be a model, it couldn't have been an easy decision for my mom to accept, but she let me be who I wanted to be, or I wouldn't have been where I am today.
Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2009 Pooja Chopra

> 'It's my talent that liberates me'
If I talk about things that have always made me feel liberated and free as an individual, it's the fact that my family has always supported and encouraged me to do what my heart wanted. Besides that my passion, music, is not only my greatest strength but also makes me feel that I am free to make my own life. I am not dependent on anyone else because I know I have talent. As a citizen, the respect and love that the people of this country have for talent really makes me feel proud. And whenever I travel abroad I realise that it's just in India that people have the freedom to express their opinions so freely and that really makes me feel liberated. I don't think there is anything to hold me back from reaching where I want to. But as a young citizen of this country I would say that there are many things that are not just restricting me, but a large number of youngsters out there. Some of the reasons for these are gender bias, illiteracy and communalism. We'll do much better if we can get rid of all these things.
Toshi Sabri, singer

> 'All I have to do is make up my mind'
The world has opened up for us because of all the access we have to information. It's today's youngsters' desires which set them free. The world has become so much closer and there's so much more exposure today, so many more opportunities to do different things. The general outlook of the society is definitely changing and the scope for things that are different to be accepted also helps give youngsters a chance to experiment.
Nothing would hold me back if I set my mind to it. There are forces that will curb other people's freedom, but I would maintain that moral code and conduct is a very debatable thing. As long as one lives his life without hurting anybody else, I think nobody should have a problem."
Shruti Haasan, vocalist and actor

> 'Today the youth
can do what
they want'
Today we are living in an era of globalisation and liberalisation. What makes me feel free is the fact that today's youth can take up a career of their own choice. And with the inflow of information through varied mediums like internet, TV and newspapers, even parents are well aware about the changed scenario. They understand their dreams and no more thrust their own ideas and career choices on youngsters. They stand by you to help you realise your dreams.
As an Indian citizen, the blessing that no one rules on us is what makes me feel free. I feel there is anything that can hold me back. However, as a citizen of India, there are many things which need to be changed only then would I be truly free. Like it's become so unsafe for girls to move out at night. Female foeticide, dowry deaths, rape and molestations still take place.
Also, even women, who are the sole bread winners of their families, have to pay tax. Surely, they can be exempted from this.
Anjana Sukhani, actress

> 'I've the freedom to pick & choose'
As an actor I think I have a platform using which I can make my voice heard. I can take my own decisions and face its repercussions as well. Above all I don't have to take up projects to make a living, instead I can pick and choose. As a citizen of India what makes me feel free is the fact that I can travel around the country, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari without any restrictions. As an individual, especially a professional, what holds me back from feeling completely free is the fact that there are'nt many people working towards making intelligent films. We all are up against problems like corruption, self-centerednessn and social stigmatisation.
Rajeev Khandelwal, actor