Former Bollywood actress turned humanitarian, Somy Ali, believes that the youth hold the power to shape a nation’s future — but only if their passion is guided by values, empathy, and truth. Speaking about the role of young people in India and beyond, she called them “the heartbeat of any nation,” praising their energy, creativity, and courage while cautioning that raw energy without purpose can be misdirected.

In today’s era of information overload, Somy points out that misinformation spreads faster than facts. “The answer isn’t to shield youth from information — it’s to teach them how to question it,” she says, advocating for critical thinking to be made as essential in schools as subjects like math and science. Her advice to young people: “Don’t just read — ask who wrote it, why they wrote it, and who benefits from you believing it.” She personally combats misinformation by verifying sources, speaking to trusted mentors, and remembering that “trending doesn’t mean truthful.”

When asked about the one thing Indian youth need most, Somy’s answer is immediate — empathy. “If we can raise a generation that feels deeply for the struggles of others — whether it’s a child bride, a domestic violence survivor, or an elderly person abandoned in a care home — we’ll have a country where progress is measured not just by GDP, but by compassion.” She believes education should blend academics with life skills, community service, and human rights awareness from an early age.

Her own youth icon is Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, whom she admires for her courage, resilience, and determination to speak out against oppression. Somy says Malala proves that “even one young voice can echo across the world.”

Reflecting on how India’s youth have evolved, she observes a transformation: “When I was in Bollywood, the youth were aspirational but cautious about speaking up. Today’s youth are bolder — they question more, mobilize faster, and understand they can be both global citizens and deeply rooted in their culture.” The challenge, she adds, is to ensure that activism remains informed, inclusive, and sustainable.

Through her non-profit organization No More Tears, Somy works tirelessly to ensure that the next generation builds a future founded on truth, justice, and compassion. “The youth will inherit the world we leave them,” she says, “but they will also build the one we never imagined possible.”