The Tracking Indian Youth Attitudes Media Fellowship presents the next in a series of stories capturing the socio-political views and experiences of young people across India.
Diwakar Kumar is a 21-year-old undergraduate student from Bihar, currently pursuing a B.A. in International Relations at the Central University of Kerala. Deeply curious about the world around him, he actively engages with socio-political and economic developments in India and across the globe. For Diwakar, learning is a continuous process rooted in understanding how societies and systems function.
“For me, being Indian simply means being a citizen of India—nothing more, nothing less.”
Read his full story below. Profile by Nivedita Rakshit.
Nivedita: Can you tell me a little about yourself, including where you are from, what you do in your daily life, whether you attended college, and if you actively follow current events and social issues?
Diwakar: I am Diwakar Kumar, 21 years old, from Bihar. I am pursuing a B.A. in International Relations from the Central University of Kerala. Yes, I follow socio-political and economic events in India as well as in major countries of the world. For me, it is all about collecting diverse knowledge and understanding how the world works.
Nivedita: How much does your religious background influence who you are today, and do you believe religion should be a personal matter or have a place in public life? Do you think there is too much or the right amount of religion in public life?
Diwakar: I strongly believe that religious practice should happen in private life and should not affect governance. Communalism in India is increasing, and I believe it is going to be a big problem for the future of the country.
Nivedita: What are your thoughts on the government making decisions about religious issues? Do you think politicians should discuss religion? If so, on what kind of issues? If not, what topics should they focus on instead?
Diwakar: I believe that if the government enters religious matters, the approach must be progressive and secular. Government intervention is needed in almost all matters, especially where things are going wrong, from education to ensuring a good quality of life.
Nivedita: Do you think men and women are treated equally in India today? If not, in which areas do you see the biggest differences?
Diwakar: According to me, today’s India is divided into two broad sections—one that is living a good life and another that is just surviving. Questions of equality will only become truly relevant when the gap between these two sections is reduced.
Nivedita: Do you think people of the same sex who love each other should be allowed to marry?
Diwakar: Yes. Just as people freely choose their beliefs, they should be free to decide how they want to spend their lives.
Nivedita: Do you think caste influences a person’s social and professional opportunities in India? In the context of education, do you believe a dhobi’s daughter studying in a government school and scoring 70% is any less intelligent or hardworking than a wealthy student who, with access to private schooling and tuition, scores 90%? How do factors like resources and opportunities shape academic performance?
Diwakar: For the first question, I may not be the right person to answer, but from what I have seen, I can conclude that a person’s ideology matters. However, statistical data clearly shows that caste still matters.
Nivedita: What are your thoughts on marriage? Do you believe people should be free to marry whomever they choose, regardless of caste, religion, or gender?
Diwakar: As I have already mentioned, people should be free to choose how they want to spend their lives. Marriage must be a personal choice, irrespective of caste, religion, or gender.
Nivedita: Do you personally feel pressured to marry at a certain age or in a specific way?
Diwakar: I am still a bachelor, which means I am not pressured to marry.
Nivedita: Have you ever attended a political event, protest, or rally?
Diwakar: No.
Nivedita: Have you voted in an election before? If yes, what factors influenced your vote?
Diwakar: No.
Nivedita: Do you think young people in India care enough about politics? Why or why not?
Diwakar: Young people in India generally care about politics when it aligns with their interests; otherwise, they do not.
Nivedita: Do you feel pressure to align with your family’s or community’s political views, or do you make independent choices?
Diwakar: I make independent choices in matters of politics.
Nivedita: Do you think young people today trust politicians and political leaders? Why or why not?
Diwakar: Trusting someone blindly requires accepting both their good and bad sides. From my perspective, I cannot fully trust anyone.
Nivedita: What does being an Indian mean to you? Is it about a certain religion, language, or region? What does it mean to say that you love your country?
Diwakar: I understand the value of being Indian, and for me, Indian simply means a citizen of India—nothing else.
Nivedita: When you want to stay updated on current events or catch up on news, which platforms do you prefer—social media, news websites, television, or something else? Additionally, what type of content do you engage with the most, such as news, entertainment, or educational material?
Diwakar: Yes, I like to stay updated on current events. For this, I depend on newspapers, independent print media, and independent YouTubers.
Nivedita: How do you determine whether a news source is reliable? What steps do you take to fact-check news that seems suspicious?
Diwakar: Generally, I do not fact-check everything, but when I doubt a news item—especially sensitive news—I verify it by comparing information from diverse platforms and discussing it with my mentors and peers.
Nivedita: Do you trust mainstream news channels, or do you prefer independent media?
Diwakar: I do not trust mainstream news channels; instead, I prefer independent media.
Nivedita: Do you follow any influencers? If so, what kind of content do you engage with?
Diwakar: I am not a blind follower of any influencer.
Nivedita: Have you ever questioned a belief or expectation that you were raised with?
Diwakar: Every time.
Nivedita: Are there any societal norms that you strongly agree or disagree with? If you could change one social norm in India, what would it be?
Diwakar: In this matter, I am neutral. However, if any social norm disturbs social order, it should be reformed.
Nivedita: What does “success” mean to you—government job, entrepreneurship, or following your passion?
Diwakar: A peaceful and happy life is the ultimate success.
Nivedita: What does “fairness” mean to you in Indian society today? Do you think working hard is enough for success in India, or does privilege matter more?
Diwakar: Fairness should be based on social background, irrespective of caste, religion, or gender. Working hard alone is not enough to succeed in India; other factors such as ideology, religion, caste, and similar influences also play a role.
This is an ongoing series of profiles documenting the experiences of young people across India. Stay tuned for more stories from the youth of India. Follow us on social media for more updates.