By Dalim Phukan<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Guwahati, Sep 24 : Centering around pressing issues concerning the youth\u2014such as climate change, employment, culture, education, technology, and the future of Assam\u2014a national-level intellectual convention titled “Youth Conclave 2026 \u2014 Yuva Sanglap” was organized on Wednessday by the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) at the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra auditorium in Guwahati.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aimed at bringing the vision, open thoughts, and creativity of the youth to the socio-political forefront in shaping Assam’s future, the day-long conclave saw the participation of over six hundred selected youth delegates, college and university students, and eminent intellectuals from various parts of the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The proceedings commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and floral tributes paid to the portraits of Bard of the Brahmaputra Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and cultural icon Zubeen Garg by Gaurav Gogoi, President of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, MP from Jorhat, and Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lamp-lighting ceremony was attended by MP from Dhubri Rakibul Hussain, Deputy Leader of the Congress Legislature Party Dr. Jayanta Prakash Das, former MPs Bolin Kuli and Abdul Khaleque, APCC General Secretary Bipul Gogoi, former MLA Satyabrata Kalita, Chairman of APCC Media Department Bedabrat Bora, Seva Dal Chairman Dweep Bayan, and senior leader Jayanta Khaund, alongside numerous top leaders of the party. Inaugurating the conclave, APCC President and Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, stated that in a healthy democratic society, youth cannot stay away from politics, because it is governance and politics that determine the education budget, university tuition fees, student scholarships, environmental conservation, and the protection of indigenous culture. Criticizing the ruling dispensation’s politics of suppression and polarization, he remarked that society moves forward not through the fear of the police or lathis, but through evidence- and logic-based dialogue that respects differing viewpoints. In his welcome address, Dr. Jayanta Prakash Das, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, outlined the core objectives of the Youth Conclave, while Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain urged the younger generation to embrace reasoned thinking in step with rapid technological change. In the first session of the conclave, centered on the critical theme “Climate Change vs Development”, internationally acclaimed environmental activist and author Rituraj Phukan delivered the keynote address. Warning that the world is on the verge of breaching the critical threshold of 1.5\u00b0C global warming, Phukan asserted that the current youth generation is the final generation witnessing the devastation of climate change with the agency to act against it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drawing from his first-hand experience during the 2013 Antarctic Expedition and the collapse of the Larsen B ice shelf, he noted that the planet has entered the “Anthropocene” epoch, where human activity is driving planetary degradation. Citing the catastrophic floods triggered by glacial lake collapses near the Nepal-Tibet border, he cautioned that rapidly expanding glacial lakes in Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh have turned into “ticking time bombs”, posing severe risks of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) that could inundate the Brahmaputra Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Noting that roughly 30 percent of the Brahmaputra’s flow originates from glacial melt, he highlighted that shifting rainfall patterns and increased evaporation are also drying up river basins. On renewable energy, Phukan underscored that sunlight hitting the Earth in just an hour and a half can meet global energy requirements for an entire year; yet, green transitions are hindered by corporate and geopolitical interests controlling fossil fuels. The keynote was followed by a high-level panel discussion moderated by Supreme Court advocate and APCC spokesperson Aman Wadud, featuring wildlife biologist Dr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nilim Mahanta, actor and artist Arghadeep Baruah, humanitarian and social activist Shahnaz Sahin, and student debater Agastya Kashyap, who presented critical insights into urban flooding in Guwahati, hill cutting, wetland degradation, and the contentious government policy regarding the reduction of the Kaziranga Eco-Sensitive Zone. In the second session, titled “Culture of Assam: Our Culture, Our Identity”, renowned musician Manas Robin delivered a historical and insightful keynote address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Noting that Assam remained politically distinct from mainstream Indian rule until the Treaty of Yandabo in 1826, Robin highlighted that it was Mahapurush Srimanta Sankaradeva who first spiritually and culturally integrated Assam with greater India. Explaining the rhythmic nuances of Assamese folk music, he pointed out that Assamese folk songs predominantly follow a 6\/8 meter, unlike North Indian classical forms which mostly adhere to a 4\/4 time signature, and that Sankaradeva beautifully harmonized both traditions in his Borgeets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reaffirming that regionalism is the driving pulse of Assam\u2019s political and cultural landscape, Robin recalled how Gopinath Bordoloi fought within the Congress to prevent Assam\u2019s grouping into East Pakistan, and how Bhimbor Deori championed indigenous autonomy. He noted that Comrade Bishnu Prasad Rabha espoused the creation of a “New India” while keeping Assam’s regional identity central.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He emphatically asserted that from the Assam Movement to the anti-CAA agitation, every struggle has been an expression of distinct regional self-determination, and that no pan-Indian vision can ever succeed by compromising one’s language, heritage, and identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the same session, prominent lyricist and composer Diganta Bharati brought a philosophical and scientific lens to human culture, tracing its origins from the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago to the cooperative networks forged by Homo sapiens 70,000 years ago. Bharati stressed that culture extends far beyond dance and music, living intrinsically in daily livelihoods, cuisine, clothing, language, and communal coexistence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Citing the syncretic ideals of Azan Fakir’s zikirs and Rabindranath Tagore, he urged the youth to embrace modern science without uprooting themselves from their cultural heritage, cautioning that climate phenomena like El Ni\u00f1o jeopardize not only agriculture but the raw materials underpinning Assamese heritage\u2014such as muga silk, pepa, and gogona. The subsequent panel discussion, moderated by APCC spokesperson Happy Gogoi, featured artist Nilim Mahanta, researcher Sukanya Dutta, All India Radio artist Mayuri Choudhury, and fashion designer Papli Gogoi, who discussed the crisis facing muga silk weavers, the middleman nexus, integrating visual arts into primary education, and digitizing traditional folk forms on global platforms. In the third and concluding session, centered on the burning issue “Education to Employment: Degree Unlock, Jobs Lock”, AICC NSUI In-charge and former JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar addressed the gathering as the keynote speaker, launching a sharp critique against the country’s education and employment policies. Beginning his address with chants of “Jai Aai Asom” and “Jai Zubeen Da”, he remarked that just as Zubeen Garg\u2019s songs and national spirit unite the people of Assam, the collective unity of the youth is vital to safeguard the nation’s future. Defining the youth, he said, “Youth is not merely a number defined by age; it is a mindset and a consciousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The true essence of youth lies in refusing to bow before injustice, questioning those in power, and asserting constitutional rights.” Highlighting alarming figures regarding unemployment, Kanhaiya Kumar lamented, “India is the youngest country in the world today, with every fifth youth globally being an Indian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet, due to flawed government policies, this young India is witnessing the highest unemployment rates in post-independence history.” Exposing the contrast between official slogans and ground realities, he said, “On one hand, the government coins slogans like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’, but in reality, our daughters and women are unsafe walking outside after dark. The government loudly touts ‘Skill India’, but the stark reality is ‘Kill India’, with two young people driven to suicide every hour across the country due to unemployment and a bleak future.” Addressing the crisis in higher education, Kumar pointed out, “Over 150 premier engineering institutes have shut down across the country in the last five years. Even in prestigious institutions like Gauhati University or IIT Bombay, nearly 50 percent of graduating students are unable to secure campus placements. Students unlock their degrees, yet jobs remain locked.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taking a swipe at the ruling establishment, he remarked, “The BJP government fears an educated populace and questioning youth. That is why the Prime Minister belittles institutional education by pitting ‘Hard Work’ against ‘Harvard’, while universities raising critical questions are demonized as anti-national or labeled as the ‘Tukde-Tukde gang’.” Criticizing heavy taxation alongside institutional failure, he observed, “Citizens pay taxes expecting clean drinking water, breathable air, good roads, safety, and employment opportunities. Yet citizens are forced to purchase water filters and air purifiers at home, and despite paying road taxes during vehicle purchases, they are burdened with highway tolls. In return, the government merely hands out five kilograms of food grains to divert attention from core systemic issues.” On the closure of government schools, he remarked, “The government is adopting a telecom-style playbook\u2014hooking the public with freebies before steeply hiking costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Assam, regular government schools are systematically shut down while private and international schools thrive. If the ruling party has abundant funds to build lavish offices resembling five-star hotels, why does the government lack funds to maintain schools and hostels for students?” Touching upon paper leaks and commercialization, Kumar noted, “Question paper leaks have become routine, denying students fair and transparent examinations and plunging youth into deep anxiety and despair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By reducing education to a commodity accessible only to those with deep pockets, learning is being transformed from a fundamental right into an exclusive privilege. To obscure these genuine crises, divisive and hate-driven politics is being pushed onto the youth.” Answering a question from a student delegate, Kumar concluded that the resignation of an education minister alone cannot fix a broken system; it requires an overhaul of governmental priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While student organizations face electoral ebbs and flows, the battle for quality education, dignified employment, and constitutional equality remains non-negotiable. He stressed that public land, rivers, and the future cannot be surrendered to corporate cronies, urging youth to stand united for their constitutional rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following Kumar\u2019s address, the final panel discussion was moderated by APCC spokesperson Palakshi Das, featuring Tridip Bhagawati, Mujahidul Islam, Madhurima Phukan, and Gaurav Kayastha, who shared valuable perspectives on forging a robust intellectual and democratic resolution for Assam\u2019s burning challenges. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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