ZIA AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IN BANGLADESH

This study examines President Ziaur Rahman's policies and initiatives for youth development in Bangladesh, analyzing his vision for harnessing the potential of the country's young population for national development. The article explores the conceptual framework underlying Zia's youth development strategy and examines the specific programs and institutions established to engage young people in the nation-building process. The research investigates the creation of youth organizations, skill development programs, educational reforms, and employment generation initiatives targeting the youth population. The study analyzes how Zia's approach integrated elements of character building, skill development, national service, and political socialization. The article assesses the institutional mechanisms for youth mobilization and participation in development activities at various levels. The research also examines the impact of these youth development initiatives on skill acquisition, employment patterns, social mobility, and political consciousness among young Bangladeshis. Furthermore, the analysis evaluates the sustainability of Zia's youth development model and its influence on subsequent youth policies in Bangladesh.

President Ziaur Rahman recognized the critical importance of youth development for Bangladesh's future, with this article providing a comprehensive analysis of his policies and initiatives targeting the country's young population. The research begins by examining the demographic context of youth in Bangladesh during the late 1970s, considering the challenges and opportunities presented by a rapidly growing young population. The analysis explores the philosophical foundations of Zia's youth development vision, examining how his military background, nationalist ideology, and development thinking shaped his approach to engaging young people. The article investigates the institutional framework established for youth development, including the creation of the Ministry of Youth Development and various youth organizations at national and local levels. The study examines skill development and vocational training programs designed to enhance youth employability and prepare young people for productive roles in the economy. The research analyzes educational reforms that sought to make schooling more relevant to national development needs and youth career aspirations. The article assesses national service programs and youth mobilization initiatives that engaged young people in community development, environmental conservation, and other public activities. The study investigates sports and cultural programs that promoted physical fitness, discipline, and national identity among youth. The research evaluates employment generation schemes and entrepreneurship support programs that addressed youth unemployment and underemployment. The analysis examines the political socialization aspects of youth development, considering how young people were engaged in the nation-building narrative and development discourse. Based on the comprehensive assessment, the article considers the outcomes and impacts of Zia's youth development policies on the skills, attitudes, and opportunities available to young Bangladeshis. The findings provide valuable insights into how political leadership can mobilize youth for national development and contribute to understanding the relationship between youth policies, human capital formation, and national development in post-colonial states.