Opinion | When Students Speak, Good Governance Listens

SYSF Foundation’s NEXTGEN brings Baramulla students face to face with the district administration, creating space for open dialogue, fresh ideas and meaningful youth participation in public affairs.

Giving young people an opportunity to speak directly to those responsible for public administration, the Save Youth Save Future Foundation (SYSF Foundation), through its Students’ Wing, NEXTGEN, organised an interactive session between students and the district administration at Government Degree College, Baramulla, on Monday. The programme brought students and administrative leadership together on a common platform to discuss education, youth opportunities and the overall development of the district. Syed Fakhruddin Hamid, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, attended the event as the chief guest. Wajahat Farooq Bhat, Founder and Chairman of SYSF Foundation, Professor Dr. Tasleema Bano, Principal of Government Degree College, Baramulla, Professor Tariq Ahmad Chalkoo, Staff Secretary, faculty members and students were also present. Unlike conventional programmes that largely revolve around formal speeches, the session focused on direct interaction, allowing students to express their views, raise concerns and share suggestions on matters affecting their education and future. The initiative reflected the importance of creating opportunities for young people to engage with public institutions and understand how administration can respond to the needs and expectations of the community.

“The future of a district is shaped not only by the decisions of its administration, but also by how seriously it listens to the aspirations of its young people.”

For students, the opportunity to interact directly with the Deputy Commissioner offered a platform to put forward their questions and ideas without limiting the discussion to prepared speeches. The conversation centered on issues related to education, opportunities for young people and the wider development of Baramulla. Deputy Commissioner Syed Fakhruddin Hamid listened to the students’ concerns and suggestions, responded to their queries and assured them that the matters raised would receive due consideration. He also assured the students that the administration would extend appropriate assistance and support wherever required. Such interactions can help students develop a clearer understanding of administrative responsibilities, public service and the processes through which community concerns are addressed. They can also help public officials gain a better understanding of the expectations of young people, whose experiences and ideas are important when planning for the future. For a district like Baramulla, where students are preparing for higher education, employment and other professional opportunities, open communication between educational institutions and the administration can contribute to identifying concerns and encouraging constructive solutions. While a single meeting cannot resolve every issue, it can establish a channel of communication through which concerns may be shared, examined and followed up.

Addressing the gathering, Wajahat Farooq Bhat emphasised that genuine youth empowerment requires more than inviting students to attend public events. Young people, he said, must have meaningful opportunities to engage with decision makers and contribute constructively to discussions about their future and the development of their communities. He stressed the need to move beyond symbolic participation and ensure that students’ opinions are heard and considered in matters that affect them. Expressing gratitude to Deputy Commissioner Syed Fakhruddin Hamid for interacting directly with the students and listening attentively to their concerns, Bhat acknowledged the importance of administrative engagement in making such initiatives useful and purposeful. He also thanked Professor Dr. Tasleema Bano, the faculty members and the college administration for their cooperation in facilitating the programme. The participation of an educational institution in such an initiative is significant because colleges are not only places of academic learning but also spaces where students develop confidence, critical thinking and a sense of civic responsibility. When students are encouraged to ask questions, express their views respectfully and engage with public representatives, they gain practical exposure to democratic participation and the responsibilities that come with being active members of society.

The programme was organised and coordinated by NEXTGEN, the Students’ Wing of SYSF Foundation, under the leadership of its President, Aadil Shafi Lone, and Vice President, Athar Khan. Through the initiative, the foundation reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment, civic engagement and constructive dialogue between young people and public institutions. The session also highlighted the value of connecting educational spaces with administrative leadership so that students can better understand the challenges facing their district and explore ways to contribute to its progress. For such initiatives to have a lasting impact, continued engagement and appropriate follow up on the concerns raised will be important. Students need platforms where their voices are welcomed, while institutions need opportunities to hear those voices and consider practical responses. The Baramulla interaction offered a step in that direction by bringing young people and the district administration together in a setting built around discussion rather than one way communication. Its broader message was simple: youth participation becomes meaningful when students are not merely asked to listen, but are also given the opportunity to speak, question, suggest and contribute to the future of their community.

Author can be reached at Email id : syednaseer8092@gmail.com