Shruti is a  young 26 year old who is a dancer, a speaker and a leader in her own right is on a mission to change the way the Indian child speaks. Speech according to her is all empowering. By learning to express themselves well, these children no matter where they come from, what they do have a future as bright as it can be. “I want to make a difference to the government schools in our country. The students in those schools are the ones who need to be trained.What a difference it will make to their lives,” she falls silent, her bright eyes reflecting her brighter ideas to influence for the better.

Kalai is a 26 year old stays in the girls hostel of a college. She is a physical instructor. Hailing from Tamil Nadu now working in Bangalore, the girl is a recent aspirant to crack the Karnataka Administrative Services exam. She is working hard at it. She told me of how her brother who is a reporter in Kadalur, Tamil Nadu introduced her to the dream. His faith in her is her belief. “I will crack it mam”, says she, “I am very confident. My English is not so good, I can’t recollect all these years but I will surely clear the test next year.” She has been dissuaded by friends and colleagues who told her to give up the efforts as the exam is not too easy but she is a tough nut and with oodles of self-belief that remains unshaken. Cheers to her dreams!!!

A young man not more than 25 is up at 5.30 am. He is in the process of getting a driving licence for 2 and 4 wheelers. “It has become expensive these days”, he says “but soon I am going to have my own bike and car so I better not delay.” Siddrappa is also a dancer. He practices difficult dance moves on the ground adjacent to the hostel where is he put up as a warden for college boys. In the mornings you can see him doing somersaults and stretch exercises, some weird body shakes in the name of dance on the open ground near his hostel. ” I am learning western dance. I am looking for an entrance into one of those TV shows. Then there is no looking back”, he smiles confidently.

Married and on the verge of divorce, having endured and put an end to a torturous marriage, young Nuzha is dreaming of cracking a government exam. She is often haunted by the dreams of a child she was forced to abort due to her husband’s indifference. “Sometimes I think, I am here for a reason. I might just have been another wife regretting my marriage but god’s will has brought me to this city. I will surely get placed in a good college and will simultaneously prepare for administrative exams. I am sure I will clear it.”

Says Ayesh, “My father is very adamant. He has asked me to get married only after my PhD, that’s his only condition. It does not matter to him who I marry. Since theirs is a love marriage, I often tease them that I should have eloped with some one by now to keep up the family tradition!” She has no plans to ‘settle’ immediately. I will work to raise up in the hierarchy of college teaching, then will think of marriage. “What’s the big hurry, any ways”, she asks casually.

Confident voices of confident young people from across the country from Bengaluru, to Tamil Nadu to Kolkata to far off Chikmangalur…. surely doom’s day is not yet so near, surely it’s a good time to be living….

“I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone’s shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I’ll live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can’t take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all”

I guess this is what the youngsters are singing in tune with Whitney Houston. And the universe propels its forces to be with those who dare to dream!!!