Dr Daisy Parihar
In a nation teeming with talent and youthful energy, the harsh reality of unemployment casts a long, dark shadow over the dreams of millions. It is not merely a statistic-it is a silent crisis that shatters confidence, derails potential, and deeply wounds the very soul of a young person who has done everything right, yet finds nothing in return.
Imagine a young man-educated, full of aspirations, raised with sacrifices and hope-wandering from office to office, city to city, pleading with the world: “I need work.” This cry is not just a plea for employment, it is a desperate appeal for dignity, stability, and purpose. The pain of being unemployed after years of hard-earned education is not only mental stress-it slowly eats away one’s self-esteem. The eyes of family members, once filled with pride, now hold silent questions and disappointment. Not because they blame him, but because the helplessness is mutual.
In many homes across rural and semi-urban India, fathers who earn just enough to survive go beyond their means to educate their children. They send them to cities, borrow money, sell land, and make endless compromises-believing that one day, their son or daughter will become the family’s support system. That they will help marry their sisters, educate their younger brothers, uplift the household. But when, even after earning a degree, no job comes-something breaks within.
The educated youth, full of talent and potential, begins to crumble under invisible pressure. Each day without employment feels like a slow defeat. The burden of unfulfilled dreams, financial insecurity, and societal expectations pushes many towards depression, substance abuse, or, tragically, crime. In some cases, they stop seeing the value of their own existence. This is not just a personal tragedy-it is a national loss.
We must recognize this crisis for what it is: an emergency that demands urgent, inclusive, and innovative solutions. And in the face of such hopelessness, we must offer more than sympathy-we must offer a way forward. The need of the hour is twofold: Employment generation and confidence restoration.
The Need for Employment is as Essential as Ration for Survival
Just as food is essential to sustain the body, employment is essential to sustain the spirit. No welfare scheme can replace the dignity of work. A nation’s strength lies in how productively it engages its youth. Unemployment is not merely a lack of jobs-it is a lack of vision, direction, and opportunity. It’s time we act, and act wisely.
So what are the answers?
Tourism: The Hidden Goldmine of Jobs
India’s landscape is dotted with untapped tourism potential, especially in regions like Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal, Uttarakhand, and the North-East. Places like Kishtwar, Bhaderwah, Dacchan, Marwah, and Warwan are breathtakingly beautiful yet remain unexplored. These regions can become employment hubs-if developed thoughtfully.
Tourism doesn’t just bring visitors-it brings livelihoods. From guides, drivers, hotel staff, homestay hosts, to local artisans and musicians-tourism activates an entire ecosystem. A single tourist creates ripple effects across dozens of jobs.
But for this to happen, we need structured infrastructure:
* Skill Training in Hospitality: Local youth can be trained in guiding, cooking, cultural interpretation, and trekking safety.
* Eco-tourism and Heritage Circuits: Promote trekking, river walks, temple trails, and village stays.
* Homestay Support Programs: Help families turn spare rooms into income-generating guest rooms.
* Transport Subsidies & Support for Youth Entrepreneurs: Allow young people to start bike rentals, adventure tours, or local cuisine stalls.
A village that sees even 100 tourists a week will feel an economic uplift. But this cannot happen without serious investment and planning.
* Skill Development: The Strongest Weapon Against Unemployment
Many youth are willing to work but are not job-ready. The bridge between education and employability is skill development. This is where we must act decisively.
Let us reimagine our rural schools as training grounds of self-reliance. Let every block have a Skill Development Centre with:
* Free Residential Hostels for Youth
* Daily Meals and Stipends
* Practical Training in Multiple Fields: Plumbing, tailoring, IT services, photography, bakery, gardening, dairy farming, mobile repair, online freelancing.
* Spoken English & Digital Literacy Classes
These are not mere skills-they are weapons of independence.
A boy who once wandered for a job could start his own photography studio. A girl who was depressed about no job could begin earning by stitching designer clothes. Villages must not export their talent to cities-they must build industries that fit the rural landscape.
Government & Civil Society Must Work Together
While policies exist, implementation is weak. What we need is:
* Village Youth Employment Committees led by honest officers and teachers.
* NGO Partnerships to track dropout youth and reconnect them to vocational programs.
* Success Stories in Media to inspire others-because success is contagious.
Let there be awards not just for toppers in academics but for top village entrepreneurs, tourism hosts, and green innovators.
Mental Health Support and Career Guidance
We must also remember: Unemployment leads to silent suffering. So along with job creation, we need:
* Career Counseling in Schools
* Village Mentorship Circles
* Mental Health Helplines in Local Languages
A motivated, emotionally strong youth can turn even a small opportunity into a success story.
Real Stories, Real Impact
* In a small village of Himachal, a young man trained in digital marketing now earns ?25,000 per month managing Instagram accounts of local hotels. Just one computer, one skill, and mentorship changed his life.
* A girl in Kishtwar trained in candle-making now supplies to nearby cities. Earlier she was sitting idle at home, battling depression.
* A tourist guide from Bhaderwah learned fluent English through a local training centre. Today, he gets calls from foreign tourists directly and earns more than ?40,000 a month in peak season.
These are not miracles. These are blueprints of what’s possible.
Conclusion: From Helplessness to Hope
Unemployment is not just an economic issue-it is a human issue. It breaks hearts, dreams, and entire families. But with collective will, structured efforts, and compassion-driven policies, we can transform this pain into power.
Let us give our youth more than slogans. Let us give them skills, dignity, and direction. Let us not wait for them to lose faith in themselves. Because when a young person says, “Mujhe kaam chahiye,”-he is not asking for charity. He is asking for a chance to contribute.
Suggested Call to Action:
* Start a Skill Development Camp in your village.
* Sponsor training for one youth this year.
* Promote local tourism on social media using #RuralRising
* Talk to one unemployed youth this week-just listen.
Because employment is not just a right-it is a responsibility we all share.For the true development of our nation, employment generation must not be treated as an option-it must be considered a fundamental priority. A country cannot grow if its youth is left behind. Let us act before it’s too late, and turn today’s unemployed youth into tomorrow’s nation builders.
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