Two months ago, Human Resources Minister S Subramaniam highlighted that the unemployment rate for Indian youths was escalating and their involvement in criminal activities was on the rise.

I certainly do agree with the minister's comment. I feel that the majority of these youths could be identified as the last of the Indian generations who migrated from the plantations to the urban townships (largely in the suburbs).

The youths and kids from such a background are lonely and lost in the major towns. This is because the way of life in the plantations and that of the towns have significant variances. They tend to only mix with individuals of a similar background with them.

The ‘bad' manipulates and influences the ‘good' and in the end all of them become spoilt. Some of them go one step further and indulge in criminal activities and fall victims to alcohol and smoking.

The authorities and Indian-based organisations should come up with technical and vocational training for them if these youths are unable to further their studies after the SPM. There are some Indian students who stop their studies after the PMR.

A suitable form of training should be modulated for them too. Such training should be prolonged until they get employment. We should never let them be unoccupied during such periods. If not, they might get involved in gangsterism and other unhealthy activities to keep themselves ‘occupied'.

The MIC is doing its bit but its courses and training are only available in a few cities. I would say that each capital city should conduct such courses. The government, on its part, should allocate sufficient funding and at the same time carefully monitor the training overall.

Set up youth clubs for Indian youths supervised by experienced and trained adults either on social track or on a religious track. The government should provide the funds for the activities and management.

it is better that youths of both sexes take part. Our aim is not to let the males unite without any supervision as they might be influenced to get involved in adverse activities..

The administration and spending of the funds from the government should be strictly monitored and its cost-effectiveness should be maintained (if not increased).

Please ensure that the technical and vocational training are under the direct supervision of the Human Resources Ministry or its carefully-appointed institutions.

Indian youth clubs under the Ministry of Youth and Sports could contribute significantly. For this purpose, the existing ‘Tamil Ilainyar Manimandram' which is currently losing its influence, could be rejuvenated and reformed.

It already has the infrastructure and the needed network. Maybe, its name, too, could be changed to ‘Malaysian Indian Youth Foundation'.

Lastly, limit the participation of political parties and politicians as many of them might have other priorities and the welfare of the Indian youth might then take the backseat.