Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi once said in an American University commencement address, "Young men and young women setting forth to leave their mark on the world might wish to cast their eyes beyond their own frontiers towards the shadow lands of lost rights."

I personally believe that many of us young people have very high ideals, but what prevents them from being attained is our indifference to make these ideals a reality. Many of us want to leave our mark on the world; however, these thoughts often get caught up in conformist logic. We have these magic thoughts, but when the time comes to make or break, society implicitly unleashes its paws of conformity in saying, "this isn't the time," or something like "that's a nice thought, but you are only one person." In stunting these beautiful thoughts, we not only hinder our imagination; but the potential of our souls is never fully manifested. This is an injustice both to ourselves and, more importantly, to humanity.

My thoughts are aimed at South Asian youth in the United States, precisely for the fact that most of us have been given so much: education, economic prosperity, multicultural identity, etc., and with such a base, there is infinite possibility awaiting us. With that said, although there are a great many of us who seek more than material and economic prosperity, sadly to say there are innumerable amounts that fall the way of parental persuasion. I really and truly wonder if all the Indian American doctors and engineers and those studying to follow those respective professions have become who they are, simply to satisfy the yearnings of their parents? Being first generation South Asians, we should make it a point to change the way we dream and the way our children dream, meaning that we shouldn't seek to appease the yearnings of our parents, but conversely to follow the desires of our heart.

Former presidential candidate John McCain said that he wanted his administration to focus on "making people believe in a cause greater than their own self-interests." My contention is that we should be more revolutionary in our thinking and our corresponding action. I myself have begun to realize that that there is a world outside myself, that there's a humanity out there that is truly hurting. It's our obligation, both as citizens of a country that entitles full political rights, and as human beings, to assist our less fortunate comrades in different parts of the globe. For too long, youth have followed worn-out paths of ease, and there comes a time when we need to break free from the addictions that we have. I'm not trying to sound high and mighty by saying these comments, I just feel strongly convicted that our generation of South Asian youth, not to mention youth in general, need to stretch our gaze beyond our self-interests.

We need not look any further than our own roots. There are millions upon millions of people in India who are illiterate, starving, while we as Indian Americans bask in our superabundance.

We need not look any further than our own roots. There are millions upon millions of people in India who are illiterate, starving, while we as Indian Americans bask in our superabundance. That's injustice in itself. Those of us who are awake to humanity must go beyond our comfort zone, and by doing so we really and truly live, and our character becomes that much more replete. The youth of America have a unique opportunity to mold our hearts, to shape our values, and so forth. But we must move now, because we are not only young and vibrant, but this is a time where we aren't tied down and our hearts and minds are more open to change.

Coming from a strictly Christian standpoint — as there are many of us South Asians who are indeed Christian — elicits the question, "How would Jesus Christ, the author and perfector of our faith, have lived during these times?" Without a second of delay, I say that Christ would live a life that is more vulnerable and in touch with the greater humanity. Granted, we will not be the perfection that is Christ, but we can strive to follow His example. This goes for other religions as well, as I’m sure each of them push individuals to go beyond themselves, and to make a difference in this world.

What can be done, you ask? Interest in such non-material pursuits isn't something that can be easily instilled; however, we can strive to assuage the pain and suffering of people around us. Our world is a place that is made up of a great many threads: all of us. These threads are made perfect when they are put together, and only then does the true strength of our unity show.

Thus, our unity includes not just our friends and companions; but those in and around us, who don't have the luxuries that we so enjoy.