While a sizeable number of the country's youths are found to be engaged in unconscionable acts leading to exacerbation of moral values, a number of them stand out for their positivism in thoughts and actions. They have distinguished themselves by promoting an ever-lasting virtue -- standing by the distressed. Throughout the length and breadth of the country, many are found rendering selfless services to the disadvantaged, the oppressed and the perennially deprived. This would have been a utopian thought a couple of decades ago, but the agents of auspicious change have already taken root in society.
Alongside the enterprising rural youths taking up income-generating ventures, there are those conscience-pricked who arrange learning sessions for poor children in an obscure village in a northern district, organise self-defensive karate lessons for teenage girls in another. Seeing a university graduate ferry girls to schools in an area that remains under water round the year prompts many to take heart. So does the setting-up of a complete library by an enthusiastic youth deprived in childhood of the urban trend of reading for pleasure. That initiatives like these do not fail to earn social plaudits is obvious. This widespread social approval results in two positive developments: drawing other youths to these ventures; and keeping the forces of evil spoiling youths at bay. Evidently, the phenomenon of proper guidance comes to the fore.
Bangladesh society can reasonably feel upbeat at a widely noticeable development. It comes in the shape of resistance organised by young women and girls to a lot of social scourges and oppressive practices involving them. The two most prominent of these hindrances to their smooth progress are early marriage and sexual assaults. Alongside male champions of protest and change, equally brave school and college-going girls are these days found in many rural pockets. They no longer want to suffer in silence. Strong resistance put up by these previously timid girls nowadays appears to be redrawing the social order women have found themselves stuck in for ages. In a country where women are traditionally viewed as those fit for domestically remaining confined only, defiant girls emerge as virtual agents of change for women.
Similarly, against a pervasive decline of the basic human values in urban centres, educated youths are seen here coming up with scores of innovative ideas and ventures related to technological breakthroughs and entrepreneurship. In fact, no matter to what miserable extent a society slides morally and ethically, a silver lining is always there. The situation in Bangladesh is no exception on this count. A fleeting phase of rot ought not to define the vast segments of young people. Some are born positive and grow up with eye on definite missions. It is them who make a difference to the existing norms at a later age. Youth is a golden time that works wonders. Dismissing youths as instigators of violence and anarchy is not wise. Pragmatism calls for opening opportunities for them to discover the meaning and purpose of life. Here, sermonising ends up being a futile exercise.
