Youth Aspirations and Governance in Meghalaya: A Case Study

The main objective of this study is to provide an analysis of the massive discontent with and opposition of the youth of Meghalaya to the existing socio- economic and political order in the State and their expectations from future governments. The focus is to enquire about the reasons for the growing frustration and aberration on the part of the youth who form the most progressive, articulate, inspired spearhead of the dynamic segment of Meghalaya’s population. This paper uses surveys conducted on the youth of East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya, to investigate their views on the different aspects of socio-economic and political life in the State. Empirical findings showed that in Meghalaya, besides unemployment, overpopulation, poverty, inequality and underdevelopment, misleading politics and rampant corruption have made life very complicated for the new generation. The youth are up against these problems, the like of which did not exist in the past. All this echoes a resonance to bring improvements in the existing democratic political framework of Meghalaya. Unseen and quiet but steady in its quest for a more just society is the call of the youth for better governance. It is also shown that the youth must act as a catalyst to bring about better administration. Democracy will acquire a new resilience with the youth exuding greater sense of responsibility and duty to the state than ever before.