Bengaluru: Experts at the launch of Karnataka State Handbook of Youthpower Wednesday called for a shift towards data-driven regional development and local ecosystems to address the state’s widening youth opportunity gaps.The report, which maps youth opportunities across India’s districts using 180 indicators, reveals stark regional disparities in Karnataka. Rishikesha Krishnan, professor of strategy at IIM Bangalore, emphasised that driving growth at the bottom requires decentralised governance and a spirit of competition. Highlighting the success of NiTi Aayog’s aspirational districts programme, Krishnan argued that the same spirit of data-driven tracking must be brought to the taluk (sub-district) level.“The collector who gets the most improvement over the last quarter is given a prize. That person is recognised,” Krishnan said, noting that competitive monitoring motivates administrators. However, he warned against a purely mechanical approach to tracking metrics, emphasising that sustainability requires building an interactive, self-reinforcing dynamic on the ground.“What you really want at the end of the day for all this to work is to create some kind of an ecosystem within the district.” said Mekin Maheshwari, founder of Udhyam Learning Foundation, as he underscored the massive mismatch between youth employment aspirations and macroeconomic realities.“Over 80% of India’s workforce comprises entrepreneurs, whether you call them that or not,” Maheshwari observed, adding the focus must pivot toward building an “entrepreneurial” mindset across the board — from teachers to district collectors — to boost organic, self-driven productivity in a market where formal jobs remain scarce.Ruchi Gupta, executive director, Future of India Foundation, said real opportunity means bringing enterprises and young workers together: “Closing the gap between them means organising what already exists, not spending new budgets. For example, we built a tool that supports the district employment officer to connect with local employers and facilitate training-to-work transition.”
