The youth of India have always been aware, assertive and instrumental in the growth of the nation.
MTV recognised the power of young India and instituted a youth icon title four years ago.
Keeping up with the trend each year, as Vikram Raizada, vice president, Marcom and Digital, MTV Networks India, puts it, "The Pepsi & MTV Youth Icon 2006 is unique and special since it is created for the youth to identify their new-age role models. It also empowers them to vote for the one person who has fired their imagination through the year."
After an extensive 10-city research, youngsters aged between 15 and 24 years were asked to choose their icon and six nominations were hence finalised — M S Dhoni (Sports), Navjot Singh Siddhu (Television), Dr Vijay Mallya (Business), President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam (Science and Academics), John Abraham (Films) and Abhijeet Sawant (Music).
It was Anil Ambani who was chosen as MTV Youth Icon 2003 and Rahul Dravid as MTV Youth Icon 2004. The extensive search is now on to find which of the current nominees will succeed Shah Rukh Khan – MTV Youth Icon 2005.
Winning this coveted title holds a different meaning for each nominee. Opines Abhijeet Sawant, "Winning this title would mean my down-to-earth ways too can take me places!"
Drawing inspiration from Sonu Nigam, he adds, "It is King Khan whom I call a 'true performer'."
For Indian cricket's latest poster boy, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, winning this title means unanimous support from the youth. Sharing his success mantra, he says, "If you're passionate about anything you do, you'll emerge a winner."
But there's a twist in the tale. Many from the older generation believe the youth of today is confused. Sociologist Nandini Sardesai says, "The youth are at crossroads, trying to decide which values to follow. Integrity has taken a backseat with not many to guide them. Materialistic values drive them."
Vehemently denying this assessment, Anurita Gupta, a third year student of Delhi University, states, "On the contrary, we know what we want to do with our lives today.
[timesofindia]
Our elders must have faith in us and guide us, rather than discouraging from aspiring to be big." The discussion however is never ending.