In a quiet neighborhood in Pune, the once peaceful nights are now disrupted by the distant sound of a police siren—a young boy from the community, barely 17, arrested for an attempt to murder. The reality is that this story isn’t unique. From bustling metropolises to serene rural areas, crime has infiltrated every corner of society. Across India, rising violence and criminal activities have cast a shadow over its rich cultural heritage. The 2021 National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics reveal a sobering truth: over 4.4 million cognizable crimes were reported, marking a staggering 28% increase from the previous year. The data paints a grim picture—428,278 crimes against women, including domestic violence, dowry deaths, and rape, alongside violent crimes like 29,272 murders and over 101,000 kidnappings.
But numbers only tell part of the story. Behind each statistic lies a deeper malaise—the erosion of values that once formed the bedrock of society. Traditional family structures, which historically provided a nurturing environment for imparting moral education, are crumbling under the pressures of modernization and urbanization. Schools, too, are increasingly focused on academic performance, sidelining the cultivation of empathy, compassion, and social responsibility.
Technology has further complicated the narrative. Exposure to violent content on digital platforms, from video games to movies, has desensitized many, particularly the young, to the realities of aggression. The glorification of violence in popular media reinforces the idea that power and dominance are acceptable solutions to conflict.
Yet, all is not lost. Amid the growing darkness, organizations like the Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA) are igniting sparks of hope. CYDA’s Youth4Change movement is a powerful response to this societal crisis. Through a holistic approach, it addresses the root causes of violence, focusing on empowering young people as agents of change.
Empowering Youth: A Pathway to Change
The Youth4Change movement begins by asking critical questions: What if we invested in our youth as architects of peace? What if we cultivated spaces where they could learn to lead with empathy, think critically, and act responsibly? CYDA envisions a society where young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow but also the active change-makers of today.
The movement employs innovative methods—interactive workshops, debates, and community projects—to help young individuals develop the skills they need to contribute meaningfully. These initiatives emphasize critical thinking, effective communication, and leadership development, equipping participants to address real-world challenges.
Through CYDA’s outreach, young people were engaged in a neighborhood clean-up drive, a project that taught teamwork, responsibility, and the importance of contributing to the collective good. Through this initiative, Rahul (name changed), a once-disheartened boy who had turned to crime, found a mentor in the program. This mentorship helped him rediscover his passion for engineering and channel his energy into rebuilding his life.
Building a Brighter Future
Youth4Change has ambitious goals:
- Holistic Development of Adolescents and Young People: By focusing on personal growth and rights, the movement ensures youth can channel their potential into productive, healthy, and responsible citizenship.
- Creating Supportive Environments: CYDA advocates for policies that nurture youth development, ensuring access to education, resources, and opportunities for growth.
These goals aren’t just aspirations—they are steps toward building a society rooted in rationality, empathy, and mutual respect. Today, many youth in the communities in Pune, inspired by the program, joined as volunteers.
As society grapples with rising crime and eroding values, initiatives like Youth4Change remind us that transformation is possible. It begins with each of us—educators, parents, community leaders, and citizens—taking responsibility to guide the next generation.
(This article is contributed by Soumya Mohanty, Research Associate, CYDA)
