The whole country is shivering with cold. And as usual, the-have-nots are affected most brutally. In a country where the state does not seem to bother about its least-protected citizens, this calamity is grave.

But where are the other forces? There are some forms of token support from the NGOs and corporate bodies, but one can easily see these are done with a profit motive and actually doing very little for the poor.

Indeed, most of the people are dejected and feel somewhat defeated after witnessing a farce on January 7, otherwise termed as the National Election. But without political fights, people can never regain their rights and, to do so, empathy and a sense of unity are paramount.

Some people often comment that youth are spoiled – they just hang around, enjoy questionable forms of entertainment and are far away from politics. Their tendency to distance themselves from political discussion and social activism has developed over the decades, thanks to the unholy alliance of the vested political parties, NGOs and media. They want to segregate people in order to prevent any serious dissent.

But the characteristics of youth is to love, create and nature dreams of changing the world. They may be battered, bruised and duped; but they will not subdue. They are our best hope.

Those who are still dreaming to reclaim the country for its people must pave the way for youth. The first step may be growing more empathy with the have-nots. These days the charities are tantamount to poverty porn that are profit driven. But, somehow, we have to involve young people with a real sense of camaraderie with the people that are in need. We must give our duped generations a chance of the greatest human feelings.

Over the course of human history, it is seen that this feeling of love for fellow human beings creates the strongest bonds and becomes the greatest force against all evils. The youth that will jump to help the people in need will be invigorated to change all obstacles and evil forces that keep the country and society destitute and ravaged.

To attain that big goal, the first big step is harnessing the passion of youth. Dreams must be kept alive.