EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION

PROJECT REPORT

A STUDY ABOUT THE ATTITUDE OF YOUTH TOWARDS POLITICS

Submitted by
Anand S EbinRajuVarughese NeethuShaji Sabrinath S Vineeth G

DECLARATION

We hereby declare that this report entitledA STUDY ABOUT THE ATTITUDE OF YOUTH TOWARDS POLITICShas been prepared by Anand S, EbinRajuVarughese, NeethuShaji, Sabrinath and Vineeth G (MBA B,2010-2012) under the supervision and guidance of Mrs. Susan Mathew, Lecturer, Dept of Management Science RCBS, Kakkanad.

We also hereby declare that this is a bonafide record of dissertation work done by us during the course of our study.

CONTENTS
CHAPTER TITLE

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

INTRODUCTION RESEARCH METHODOLOGY REVIEW OF LITERATURE DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION FINDINGS CONCLUSION ANNEXURE

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION
Democracy is the buzz word for our political system. Nowadays we have only a handful of young leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Sachin Pilot, Varun Gandhi etc, but they are in the political scenario because they belong to influential political families. It is next to impossible to find a young leader with no political family background in the furor of politics. There can be two reasons for this deplorable scene of Indian politics. One may be that the youth today are not interested in actively participating in the political field. But this reason seems to hold no ground .The youth of modern India are aware of the problems facing our country and the world at large. Given a chance they would be ready to change the political condition of the country for better. Second reason may be that young people are not given opportunities to prove themselves claiming that they are not equipped with experience to participate actively in the governance of the country. This reason seems to be more logical seeing the monopoly of old leaders in almost all the major political parties of the country. Old people should realize that proper development can take place only when they make way for younger people to take control of the activities. For our generation, politics, as a career, comes way down the career-option list. Rampant corruption, criminalization of politics, lack of accountability, lack of family and peer support, etc. are some of the reasons behind this. The prime objective of the study was to understand the variation in the importance given by different age and gender group to the select factors favoring their attitude towards politics. It gives a deeper perspective on their thoughts about politics and their knowledge and interest in the same.

Objectives Of The Study

 To study the attitude of teenagers and youth age group 20-25 towards politics.

 Investigate their awareness about changes in the political scenario.

 Study the interests of the youth in politics.

 Study the trust and confidence the youth have on the political structure.

 Study the various aspects that influence their decision making abilities during an election

CHAPTER 2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Methodology
Research methodology denotes the way in which a research problem is systematically solved. It includes all steps that are taken by researcher in solving the research problem with the logic behind applying each of them. To ensure primary research conducted in Cochin, Kerala. A detailed questionnaire was used to collect information from respondents. Methods of data collection: The source of primary data was collected by interviews with the respondents using schedules. The collected data analyzed and interpreted by using percentage analysis and expressed in the form of using tables and diagrams. Secondary data collected from magazines, reference books, internet etc. Sample size: The sample size denotes the no of samples used for conducting the study. The total sample size consists of 30 people. Tools used: Questionnaire was used to conduct the survey. It contains objective type questions, each questions has to be framed increase the reliability of the data. Advantages of using this approach were simplicity of data processing, analysis and interpretation.

Limitations
y Most of the respondents do not reveal the correct information. y The sample size of the study is limited to 30, so opinion is not general one.

y The study is based on primary data, so limitation of primary data also affects the study.

CHAPTER 3 REVIEW OF LITERATURE

HISTORY India is one of the world's youngest nations, and its youth generation will majorly impact world politics in years to come. A variety of historical forces have shaped India's modern day youth. As one of the world's youngest nations, these forces are worth taking a second look at, since India's youth will have a big impact on future world affairs. Indian history has seen many of its youth leading political movements. Jawaharlal Nehru became leader of the Indian National Congress, and was one of the most popular leaders in northern India at a very young age. He took his inspiration from Mohandas Gandhi, who also became politically active in his youth. Indian youth were extremely active in their countrys struggle for independence. In 1942, the greatest youth uprising took place, mainly among students, who participated in the Quit India movement organized by leaders of the All India Congress, demanding complete independence from Britain. The Government of India (GoI) created National Youth Day in 1985 on the birthday of Swami Vivekananda, to take place in January of every year. The hope was that the life and work of the young spiritual leader, who died before his 40th birthday, would inspire youth to inculcate values of service to the nation. The year the voting age was lowered to 18, Indian youth in several northern and eastern Indian states were often cynical and unenthusiastic about politics, and not very interested in national party platforms. Some Indian youth were reported saying that young people were losing faith in politics, that they were very pessimistic and did not believe that voting would effect change.The youth were highly disgusted by corruption in the Indian government. The article went on to quote an Indian youth remembering when Rajiv Gandhi came to power, giving promises against corruption and for improved employment, however after five

years, the student said, corruption is so deep-rooted that the Prime Minister of India is involved and unemployment had doubled. Gray-haired Indians, who were in their prime age in the decade of 70s, can easily remember the Naxal movement, movements of then student wings of Indian National Congress and also the mass movements against the imposition of National Emergency. Each movement was guided by the Indian youngsters and was enough to rock the entire national scenario. Who can ever forget the self-confident and vigorous image of Sanjay Gandhi ? This Gandhi scion was responsible to bring lots of educated Indian young persons in the national political scenario. If you go through the pages of history it will be found that pundits in those ages termed the same as a new beginning in the Indian political structure. What did happen in the following years? All vigor of Indian youth drained, the Indian young leaders instead of radicalizing the nation became part of the mainstream only. There is hardly any doubt that this great nation is reliant on a highly educated youth leadership at the moment; a leadership that can lead her towards betterment. And it doesnt mean that this generation akin to earlier ones would fail to resolve or perform its duty. Surely the voyage has already commenced and we, common Indians, can only hope for the best.

CHAPTER 4 DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

1. How likely is that you will vote in the upcoming elections? Options No. of persons (30) Very likely 10 Somewhat likely 9 Not very likely 5 Not at all likely 3 Don t know 1

Percentage 33.33 30 16.66 10 3

Very likely Somewhat likely Not very likely Not at all likely Don t know

2. Do you possess a voters ID? Options Yes No

No. of persons (30) 24 6

Percentage 80 20

3. If elections wereheld tomorrow, which party would you vote for? Options No. of persons (30) Percentage Left 7 23.33 Right 6 20 Central 13 43.33 Democrat 4 13.33

Left Central Right Democrat

4. How likely are you to change your mind about which party to vote for before election day? Options No. of persons (30) Percentage Very likely 9 30 Not very likely 8 26.66 Somewhat likely 3 10 Not at all likely 8 26.66 Don t know 2 6.66

Very likely Not very likely Somewhat likely Not at all likely Don t know/No answer

5. Does your college permit campus politics? Options No. of persons (30) Yes 1 No 29

Percentage 3.33 96.66

6. If yes,are you a member of any political party? Options No. of persons (30) Yes 6 No 24 7. If no, do you think campus politics should be entertained? Options No. of persons (30) Yes 14 No 16

Percentage 20 80

Percentage 46.66 53.33

8. What issue will be most important to you when you decide on which party to vote for? Options No. of persons (30) Percentage Can bring new jobs and investment 11 36.66 Defends my community s interests 5 16.66 Can improve the quality of education 3 10 Can improve law and order 7 23.33 Can resolve constitutional issues 1 3.33 Don t know 3 10

Can bring new jobs and investment Defends my community s interests Can improve the quality of education Can improve law and order Can resolve constitutional issues Don t know

9. What do you think should be the educational qualification in addition to experience a politician should possess? Options No. of persons (30) Percentage 10 1 3.33

12 Graduation PG PG and above No education

2 20 2 4 1

6.66 66.66 6.66 13.33 3.33

10 12 Graduation PG PG and above No education

10. Does the background of your votee (education, family, religion) affect your bias towards him/her? Options No. of persons (30) Percentage Yes 12 40 No 18 60 11. According to you, which age group should the politicians of tomorrow fall into? Options No. of persons (30) Percentage 25-35 11 36.66 35-50 15 50 50-65 4 13.33 65 & above 1 3.33

25-35 35-50 50-65 65 & above

12. Do you think veteran leaders are efficient? Options No. of persons (30) Yes 14 No 16

Percentage 46.66 53.33

13. Do you think entry of youth into politics will make a difference? Options No. of persons (30) Percentage Yes 23 76.66 No 7 23.33 14. Are you aware of the present political system? Options No. of persons (30) Yes 25 No 5 15. Do you think young women should come into politics? Options No. of persons (30) Yes 23 No 7

Percentage 83.33 16.66

Percentage 76.66 23.33

CHAPTER 5 FINDINGS

Findings
Following were the findings that were disclosed from the analysis of the data: y Only a third of the youth are really concerned about exercising their political right of adult franchise, provided to them by the constitution, though a fifth of them possess the voters ID card y Even though most of them are democratic progressive supporters, a majority show a tendency to change their mind just before elections y Politics is absent in a wide majority of campuses and most people are not members of any political parties, but only a small majority think that campus politics should be entertained. y A lot of people consider the progress of the country while choosing their candidate/party but there are also minorities who think of fulfilling their own personal interests. Surprisingly a small group of people are also unaware of why they are exercising their right to vote y People expect political leaders to be well educated and well experienced, because they give less consideration to the background from where they come. y A large majority of the people support the entry of youth, including women as leaders for the society because not even half of them think that veteran leaders are efficient anymore y All the above findings should be taken into account given the fact that a large majority of our youth are aware of the present political scenario around us.

CHAPTER 6 CONCLUSION

One of our great leaders, DadabhaiNaoroji, also known as the grand old man of India, had said just after the Independence of our country that the nation requires people with bones of iron and nerves of steel to build it. He had evidently meant the youth of the country. As time passed by we realized that education also is a necessity just like bones of iron and nerves of steel. The nation did invest largely for this purpose especially the state government of Kerala irrespective of whoever came to power. Finally they were able to produce manpower of very high caliber. But this is just one side of the coin. The so called manpower produced after very high investment does only very little in its turn of nation building. People tend to forget their duties towards their society and even the rights given to them by the constitution. They become so concerned with their own private affairs that they tend to neglect their public responsibilities. The study concludes that youth of age group 22-30 do have facilities and knowledge but private and vested interests creep in and it acts as a barrier for the correct utilization of these assets. A majority of this group love progress and wants progress to happen in the society but is not ready to come forward and take up the responsibilities for the same. They are well aware of the current political scenario in our country and even without much involvement with politics during education period, they are able to make correct judgments.

CHAPTER 7 ANNEXURE

1) How likely is that you will vote in the upcoming elections i) Very likely ii) Somewhat likely iii) Not very likely iv) Not at all likely v) Dont know / no answer 2) Do you possess a voters ID? i) Yes ii) No 3) If elections were held tomorrow which party would you vote for? i) Left ii) Right iii) Central iv) Democrat 4) How likely are you to change your mind about which party to vote for before election day i) Very likely ii) Somewhat likely iii) Not very likely iv) Not at all likely v) Dont know / no answer 5) Does your college permit campus politics? i) Yes ii) No 6) If yes, are you a member of any political party? i) Yes ii) No 7) If no, do you think campus politics should be entertained? i) Yes ii) No

8) What issue will be most important to you when you decide on which party to vote for? i) Can bring new jobs and investments ii) Defends my communitys interest iii) Can improve the quality of education iv) Can improve law and order v) Can improve health care vi) Can resolve constitutional issues vii) Dont know 9) What do you think should be the educational qualification in addition to experience a politician should possess? i) 10th ii) 12th iii) Graduation iv) PG v) PG and above vi) No education 10) Does the background of your vottee( education, family, religion) affect your bias towards him? i) Yes ii) No 11) According to you which age group should the politicians of tomorrow fall into? i) 25-35 ii) 35-50 iii) 50-65 iv) 65 & above 12) Do you think the veteran leaders are efficient? i) Yes ii) No 13) Do you think entry of youth into politics will make a difference?

i) Yes ii) No 14) Are you aware of the present political system? i) Yes ii) No 15) Do you think young women should come into politics? i) Yes ii) No