It seems like an entire generation has been claimed by idle time! Or rather, it feels like the country itself is the source of purposeless pursuits! I say this with sorrow! Bangladesh’s unemployment rate is so high, or rather, Bangladeshis are wasting time in meaningless activities—this is evident just by scrolling through Facebook. A visit to Lionel Messi’s Facebook ID, Republic Bangla TV’s page, or any famous (or infamous) individual’s post will show the scene clearly! The number of comments on posts, pictures, or issues, is mostly from Bangladesh’s spirited youth. Neymar’s whereabouts or who he’s spending time with is discussed endlessly—why is there a need for young Bangladeshis to comment on this? Yet, there are countless comments in Bengali! The youth of a nation that once gave their lives for their mother tongue are now showing exuberance in a foreign language!
One cannot help but be amazed at the language love of these youth. Whether expressing love or insults to a foreign celebrity, it’s all done in Bengali! When there’s no work to do, Facebook fills our hours of laziness. Even though we don’t know or care about a person, we dive in, comment, engage in debates, and get entangled in arguments. No work at hand, yet we get consumed by commenting on Facebook, adding fuel to an ever-growing hunger! If someone says, “You’re unemployed,” the reply comes, “Who said that? I work hard in my own way—doing nothing!”
A question arises—why do we, as a nation, get so absorbed in celebrities of other countries when the enthusiasm for our own country’s celebrities is lacking?
This generation seems to have lost its direction. What should we do, what can we do—this message has been missed since childhood. It’s become easier to pass exams without actually learning, getting involved in politics without understanding it, and due to excessive internet addiction, youth today have lost their way, forgetting their responsibilities. No other country, whether civilized or not, has as many confused teenagers and youth in the name of politics as Bangladesh does. It is tragic to see even primary school children taking part in elections, where political affiliations are clear!
What will Bangladesh do with so many leaders and so much leadership potential? The comment sections on posts by global sensations like BTS get flooded with messages from Bangladesh’s youth. Fake IDs are created, and all-night chats and gossiping ensue. The most valuable time of life is spent doing nothing.
The youth must understand their own responsibility. They must be taught what they should do. Simply commenting on someone’s post doesn’t bring success. We must move forward in the realms of knowledge, science, and critical thinking. The education system, which is struggling, needs to be revamped to educate our youth properly. Countless challenges and boundless opportunities lie ahead.
Just educating them isn’t enough—they must also be molded with moral teachings. There’s no shortage of educated people in this country, but some individuals’ immoral actions are harming the entire society and nation. If we are to address these, the youth must take a leading role. If they go astray during their formative years, the nation’s future will be uncertain, lost in darkness.
The collective efforts of families, educational institutions, society, and the state are required to channel youth in a positive direction. The more potential a nation has, the greater its risks. If the millions of teenagers and youth are not guided properly, Bangladesh will lose its way. Disrespecting the blood-soaked red-green flag of independence will lead to the self-destruction of the nation.
Rise up, Bangladesh! A revival is essential. The enormous potential of the youth must not be lost in the triviality of jokes and sarcasm. The older generation must act like teachers, and society must function as one giant educational institution. The dream of a corruption-free, interest-free, just, and inequality-free Bangladesh must come to life through the hands of the youth.
The government must take action. We have a dream-maker, Dr. Yunus, at hand. Let the youth receive guidance from him. The state should give clear promises in the implementation of that guidance. This is our expectation.
If we look at youth in Canada, the situation may be different in terms of the number of young people engaged in political debates, but many youth still struggle with finding meaningful ways to use their time in an increasingly digital and consumer-driven world. Canada has invested heavily in youth initiatives, offering education, mentorship programs, and community outreach to ensure that the younger generation doesn’t lose its sense of purpose. While the nation celebrates diversity, it also faces challenges with its younger population’s tendency to disengage from issues that directly impact them, much like the challenges faced in Bangladesh.
As a global community, Bangladesh can learn from Canada’s integrated approach to fostering responsible citizenship and critical thinking, building a future where youth contribute meaningfully both locally and globally. The emphasis on youth participation in political and social spheres, paired with a balanced lifestyle and opportunities for growth, could be the answer to the growing concerns in Bangladesh about its youth’s potential.
