EVERY CONCERNED CITIZEN, especially the youth, should have the courage to correct the mistakes that lie before our eyes. The youth own this land and bear the largest share of responsibility for its development, peace, and stability in every village, town, and city we call home.
We are young, but not too young to speak the truth. We are young, but not too young to stop watching our motherland decay. We are young, but not too young to refuse to be silent spectators. It is time we raised our voices — not to divide, but to unite. We need voices that advocate peace, voices that heal.
We live only once. This one journey must be used with enthusiasm and courage. There is no time for fear. Let your name be remembered long after you are gone. Truth is often bitter. So what? If it is bitter, let it be bitter. If it is sour, let it be sour. If it is sweet, let it be sweet.
We must accept facts and live in reality. How long can we survive in a false world?
Here is how I strongly believe every young person should live: work and earn. Financial stability matters, whether the job is small or big. Dignity lies in honest effort. But do not chase money by flattering others for favours.
Many will stand by those who speak the truth and live with self-respect. Stay in the flock of truth. Give your time to shaping society. If we remain busy earning through flattery while our community deteriorates, we destroy our path to larger opportunities. A broken society offers no real success.
We must know our rights. We must know what we deserve. We must demand it lawfully and firmly. We must also know our responsibilities—what we can give to society and when it is time to listen.
Rights without responsibility create chaos. Responsibility without awareness creates exploitation.
The youth cannot afford greedy, visionless leaders. We cannot allow empty promises to vanish without becoming reality. We cannot afford to re-elect leaders, who have been tried and have failed. Unless we want to admit that the youth are too immature to decide.
Choosing leaders by tribe, clan, or village has damaged us badly. How long will we suffer without real development, without opportunities, without basic facilities, and without hope?
Do not confuse electing a leader with preserving a relationship. Keep social bonds strong, but choose a capable leader.
The youth should lead now. The youth are the leaders of today. Only the youth can heal this broken land. Only the youth can bring development. Only the youth can empower the youth.
Speaking up is not shouting on social media. It means filing RTIs, attending meetings, voting after doing research, mentoring younger ones, and refusing to engage in corruption. It means telling a corrupt relative that he is wrong. It means telling a friend that hate speech is not an opinion.
Courage is contagious. One young person who refuses to be a spectator gives ten others permission to stand up. That is how societies change.
The choice is ours. Will we inherit a land we are proud of, or one we must apologize for? Will our children read about our courage, or our silence? The answer lies in small, stubborn acts of truth.
Speak up. Act now. Build it. The land is ours. The responsibilities are ours. Wake up!
(The views expressed are personal. The author is Working President and Spokesperson, Nation People’s Youth Front, Manipur, and author of ‘Unscripted Thoughts’. Advocate. The author can be reached at vincentpou849@gmail.com)