A tiny segment of the population, mainly the political and economic elites in Tashkent, enjoys high living standards. Most young people find their educational opportunities to be limited, and suffer from a drastic shortage of school supplies, including textbooks. Karimov's critics are skeptical that his attempt to motivate young Uzbeks will be effective, saying the president is unwilling to take the crucial step of liberalizing the economy and providing broader opportunities for struggling Uzbeks. He used to be a Communist chief and he still speaks like one. The aspirations he claims to have are light years from the reality facing the average Uzbek young person these days.
Families live with their heads down struggling to survive.
Health problems are rife. We can't eat ideals and slogans any more. Things are getting desperate for everyone. Major factors in the demise of Kamelot included under-funding, corruption and widespread apathy, both among the organization s leadership and its general membership. Identifying such young leaders will be difficult, predicted Rustam, a history teacher.