Change is the only constant and with so much progress in India at the present time, the youth has a great opportunity to participate in this progress, which will be for their good and for the good of the country.

For the first time, high-ranking politicians like Raja, Kani, and Kalmadi have been lodged in Jails. But the question is, what is the youth doing to fight corruption? Are they prepared to withhold bribes for cinema tickets and railway tickets? Or will they offer to pay the regular fine for traffic offences- when caught by the police, thus setting a personal example? And beyond that, are they prepared to join some organisation like PCGT (public concern for governance trust), or join their friends in a procession to the Gateway of India, organised by IAC, to show solidarity with those who are fighting the cancer, which is destroying this country?

There are criminal issues in Politics- and this is only where it has begun. Even in the landslide victory of the Trinamool congress in West Bengal, together with the elation, is the sobering thought that 38 per cent of those elected have police cases registered against them. Cases, which are serious, like rape and murder. Will we or can we have good governance from people who have such a background? And what do you do about this?  Apart from not voting for such candidates, would you attempt to join organisations like the ADR (Association for Democratic Rights), and give them some time and expertise?

With India's galloping progress towards a consumerist society, there are all kinds of products that get by when they should not! Many a time, the ignorant customer is taken for a ride and to the detriment of his health. In recent studies, it has been found that nearly all brands of organic tea contain heavy metals, which are dangerous to health. In another survey conducted by CERC it was found that most brands of honey had unacceptable quantities of antibiotics, which can build antibiotic resistance in individuals.  This list goes on.

There is a role that the youth can play by joining the Consumer Education and Research Council or the Consumer Guidance Society or Voice. There are also many other opportunities like Teach India movement, where one can enrich his/her life and also contribute to society, at the same time also living his/her life to the fullest with both study and leisure.

Walter Vieira is a senior management consultant

The views expressed in this column are that of the author only.