Explore Employment In Agriculture, Micro Industries
Arun Chauhan
(The writer is based at Mandi)
Unemployment is one such problem that not only India faces but almost every country in the world is confronting. Even after 70 years of independence, employment cannot be provided to everyone in the country. A big section of young population that falls in the age group of 20 to 35 years is facing this problem in our country. Ironically, the age where in young population could contribute to country’s development is sacrificed to unemployment and some of the dismayed unemployed youths divert towards crime. Young generation is an asset for any country and their diversion from mainstream will lead to decline in country’s growth rate. Numerous policies were framed after independence to remove unemployment and huge money was spent on these policies. But unemployment did not end. In fact, it amplified with the passage of time. Unemployment cannot be finished by implementation of government policies, as no government can provide job to every citizen of the country.
There are numerous reasons behind unemployment, the prominent being the population explosion. Population of the country was 36 crore during independence period and it has now increased to about 132 crore. India’s population is growing at an annual rate of 1.6%. According to an estimate, India will become biggest populated country by 2050. Providing employment to such a big population will be a difficult task but even natural resources will fall short to feed such a big population. Therefore, the government will have to take strict decisions for better future of the coming generation. Besides this, a change in education and attitude is also required. Job does not mean serving in private or government sector, but agriculture, micro industry, taxi, shopkeeper and other skilled work is also a job. We need a change in attitude here.
Second thing which has prominent role behind unemployment is wrong educational methodology. We have linked education to desk job only. Our education methodology makes us graduate, post graduate, but we do not know any skilled work except desk job. Who will provide desk work to such a huge population? Vocational education should be begun from school education. Subjects like plumber, electrician, hardware repair and mobile repair etc should be included in school curriculum. It will serve as a medium of employment to learner.
Himachal Pradesh is a small state where big industries are at a nominal rate. That is why educated youth have to leave state in search of employment. We will have to focus on agriculture and traditional micro industries if we want employment in our state. We are making fortunes by cultivating apple, but we need to explore production of mushroom, tomato, vegetables, flowers and other fruits through modern techniques. There ample opportunities for youth in pahari handicraft industry also. Our Chamba rumal, Bushahri cap and Himachali shawl are immensely popular among tourists. The government should try to protect and encourage these small scale industries. The government has started many employment generating policies. These needs to be implemented effectively.
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