Dr. Jayakumar Christian, National Director, World Vision India

"If we want the increasing number of youth indulging in violence to stop,and a future sans violence, this budget must visibly demonstrate thegovernment’s commitment towards the children and youth of our country.
Budget 2010 is an important opportunity for the government to express itspolitical commitment to the youth and children of our nation. Recentelection was a clear mandate to the nation to take our youth seriously.Our current internal conflicts also demand that we pay attention to theyouth-drain in our nation - lost to the mainstream. The nation demands anincreased strategic investment in children and youth of our country. Theallocation in health and education is dismally low. We need to assure thosein the lowest rungs of our society especially children in povertysituations equitable 'quality ICDS' with adequate funding and engagement ofCivil Society in monitoring it. The National Rural Health Mission needs amajor revamp to serve mothers and provide effective prenatal care. "