Confidence booster. Shoulder to weep on. Provider of goodies. Stress buster. Weekend friend. God is in demand, and Indian youth have hijacked him from the elderly and conservative. Aastha Atray Banan finds out why GenNext is singing, keep the faith

Bhavik Shah is just 19, and he's already made up his mind about who his whole and soul is. It's not a girl. It's the man whose existence has been the topic of heated debate for as long as we can remember. Bhavik says he's alive, because he has faith in God. "He is everything. My guru, Pujya Rakesh Bhai Zaveri, has helped me see that God is the reason I am alive."

Sundays are for satsang

A Gujarati Jain, Bhavik has been in touch with his guru since he was 14. A devoted  student, instead of spending evenings at the movies, he attends prayer meetings at Charni Road, an hour-and-a-half-train trip away from his Borivili home, twice a week. "It makes me happy," he beams. And on Sundays, when boys sleep in late, Bhavik spends the whole day at a satsang. "I attend The Shrimat Raj Chandra Ashram in Dharampur once a year, where we have a 10-day festival," he adds.

Young and religious

Turning Vedic Indian life principles that stress that man must in indulge in scriptural studies and God, in the Vanaprastha and Sanyasa Ashrama (after hitting 50 years), India's young say religion is no longer the refuge of the the elderly, and the fanatics. Young India is standing up for God they believe in him, trust him to take of their problems. He could very well "complete them". Just when and why did this happen?

It's not about politics, it's about finding peace

Twenty seven year-old Rajender Singh is a Punjabi Sikh from Kolkata. If that's not enough, he is a Sikh who believes in Hindu Gods. The forex dealer says God is a source of energy, someone who tells him what's good and bad. "I began believing in God six years ago. When you go through a rough patch, and come unscathed, you realise someone's looking after you. Who else can it be but God?" he says, gripping a thali of flowers, ready to trudge up the impossible stone steps that take you up to Babulnath Mandir, one of Mumbai's oldest temples situated 1,000 feet above sea level.  

It's a global trend

If you think Indian culture breeds stringent faith, studies reveal it's not just desi youngsters reconnecting with the urban legend of God. A recent survey by a research Institute in Minneapolis revealed that 75% of children all over the world believe in God, life after death, and think that's its probably true that all living things are connected. This survey was conducted in eight countries youth from UK and Australia were least likely to believe in God, while those from India and US were most likely to.

It's the times we live in

The statistics about India are not far from the truth. Cardinal Salvador, parish priest at the Our Lady of Lourdes Church at Malad, thinks some of the numbers could be a reflection of the rimes we live in. "People are killing each other over faith. Youngsters today, buy the theory of 'he's against my religion, let's bomb him'," he says.

"That's not what God is saying. But the socio-political conditions might be a major player in turning youngsters to religion."

She spends all her evenings at church



Though Cardinal Salvador's reasoning is food for thought, most young adults we spoke to were seeking solace.
"He has helped me find purpose in life," says Deborah Herbert, 30. The Malad resident works for Avehi, an NGO that uses audio visual and aletnative media to spread awareness about social issues.  Debbie spends all her evenings at church, teaching kids about her faith. "For me, it's knowing that there is a higher power watching over you. He gives me confidence. He's made me who I am today," she says, before kneeling down in prayer.
 
He helps us beat stress

Psychologist Anjali Chabbria says it's natural that we pray and believe in God; we are Indian. "We grow up believing in God. Our parents make sure we know God exists," she says. It could be a bit of urban living too.

Youngsters find themselves thronging places of worship because they are looking to find someone who can help them deal with the stress, and pressures that every-day life hurls at them. "If saying a prayer at the end of a hectic day, calms the mind, why not?"

What does God do for you?

He makes me feel good after a bad day.
Merryl Fernandes, 16
It's nice to know that there is someone I can rely on.
Shelton D'souza, 17
I believe in God because he has given me all that I have asked for.
Melanie Rodrigues, 16

I say a quick prayer while driving

Prachi Desai, 20, who made her film debut with Rock On

I believe there is someone above us, who we can rely on. All of us hope and wish for so much, and there has to be a God who takes care of us. You must fear God. The only way you can follow a set of morals, is if you fear a greater power. I used to visit the temple at least four times a week, but with my busy work schedule, I now go whenever I can. The good thing is I can pray anywhere. Sometimes, when I am rushing off to work, I say a little prayer while sitting in my car.

A graduation course in What is God?

The Vedanta Academy, run by the Vedanta Cultural Foundation, is situated in the hills of Malavali, 108 kms from Mumbai. Founded in 1988 by Swami Parthasarathy, the Academy offers continual three-year residential courses on Vedanta an ancient philosophy that teaches you about the eternal principles of life and living. Thirty two year-old Prayagraj Hule, who joined the academy when he was 22, feels that was the best thing he ever did.

"God is unknown. He is like the x in mathematics, but that doesn't mean he does not exist," he says.  Once he joined, he never thought of going back. "Once you know what higher living is, you want to spread the word." Prayagrak now gives lectures on the philosophy of Vedanta.

You can enroll yourself at the Academy if you aged 18 to 25. For the three years that you are enrolled there, you have no contact with secular texts. The curriculum includes intense analysis of a range of scriptural texts expounding Vedantic philosophy. The study is complimented by select works from English literature and poetry.

The course also includes a module for training students in Sanskrit language and verses.

God is unknown. He is like the x in mathematics, but that doesn't mean he does not exist
Prayagraj Hule, 32

Identity politics give youth sense of power

Teesta Setalvad, civil rights activist

The reason why the youth is starting to "believe in God" is because of identity politics. Siding with communal forces gives them a sense of power. And since our society and law-makers turn a blind eye to all that is religious, they have sanction to do what they want. It makes them feel empowered. The attraction towards religion is based on this principle, not because they feel a genuine need to be with God, or thanks to spiritual gain. This is especially relevant in the Hindutva and Islamist movements.

God is my whole and soul. i have lots of fun at prayer meetings
Bhavik Shah, 19, Chartered Accountancy student

Hollywood's young celebs, faith is the main thing

A recent survey by a research Institute in Minneapolis revealed that

75% of children all over the world believe in God. The highest number of children belonged to India,
which was followed by the USA. Many hot-shot young celebs in America are frequent church goers. For example, Miley Cyrus, who shot to fame with Hannah Montana, has been quoted saying that her faith is "the main thing", and that she frequents the church regularly with her family. Even other young actors such as Jessica Biel, Hillary Duff, The Jonas Brothers and Vanessa Hudgens of High School Musical, attend church every week.