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Discussion Forum Youth Mobilisation in the Service of our Motherland Seminars in Young and Energetic India

Youth Mobilisation in the Service of our Motherland 
by
S.K.Verma, IFS (Retd.)
National Vice President, BVP

             India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Talking of India's youth, well, they've woken up in a big way! Their increasing participation in public life and their rising levels of awareness is a very good sign. But this is seen only in the urban youth of India.  The youth of this country is emerging, following in the same pathway as the rest of the nation, from the accumulated effects of our historical burden, to a shared vision of becoming the 'super power' to lead the humanity. The future of India lies largely in the hands of children and youth. Every youth is potentially source of powerful energy. If the youth is strong the country is strong. We cannot and should not overlook the inquisitiveness of youth about what's happening in the world around them. Harnessing the talent and energy of youth will be the positive direction can make our country a better place to live. Hence we must move 'Towards a policy for Young Adults' and take a first step of youth mobilization initiative. Let's be optimistic! The future belongs to us and definitely we'll make our motherland great! And leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

Based on the last population census conducted, the nation’s population is predominantly young i.e. one out of every four Indian is under 25 years of age. This puts the youth population at more than 55% of the total population. We see the youth of the country as a catalyst to propel the concept of league cricket in India. Young persons can be defined as ' a youth is someone between the ages of 18 and 35. 'In the corporate world and record making achievements, the age slab can be between the ages of 18 and 45. This is the time of life when one is young, especially the period between childhood and maturity or the early period of existence, growth, or development. Today’s children are tomorrow’s citizens. Let us consider the three groups (a) Students in Secondary, Higher Secondary Schools and Universities; (b) Youth in specialized institutions and social organizations and (c) Youth in BVP organization, especially from Yuva Branches.

In our country, we have tremendous intellectual capital — our people. We have among the world’s best brains. But due to our rising population and lack of initiatives, we are not able to move forward fast enough. BVP social mission is to consistently and constantly evolve and improve in quality. During last four decades we have taken the first steps of consolidation and multi-faceted development of BVP. But this journey towards our cherished goals is yet not over. The aspirations and dreams of our people are yet to be fulfilled, and for this we shall continue to march forward ever and backward never. The 'BVP Vision-2013' anticipates 20 percent rise in number of membership but the basic question is whether we have to achieve the targets in numbers or we wish to make a qualitative change, which conforms to the aspirations / expectations and life style of youth to achieve aims and objectives of BVP. We take the initiative to mobilise them for the consolidation of people's power! Let us pledge, most importantly, to the youth our most sincere commitment to continue to champion their interests.

In fact the BVP organisation has to be, consistently and constantly, an agent of change, not only change from an old outline but also to embrace modern technology and concepts in the organisation and to induce youth to join the mission of the organisation. BVP has always believed in the spirit of giving and caring for people, in helping restore their dignity and self-esteem of fellow citizens. Time has come when we would like to expand our horizons through innovations and mobilise youth in the prevailing demographic scenario of the country.

Mobilisation of youth should be aimed at re-inventing oneself as Yuva Darshan  through a holistic approach that gives physical, mental, psychological and spiritual boost to his or her personality. In one word it is "learning while enjoying" from one or multifarious activities of BVP. We have many experts in various fields to share their lifetime experience with the youth. Such a move will transform his / her life into a memorable one that fulfils their dreams. This is a first step of youth mobilization initiative. Through this we would be supporting and encouraging various youth ventures like inter–collegiate festivals, events, workshops, seminars, etc in association with various educational institutions across the country".

We aim at transforming every youth to be a leader in his / her fields imbibe the concept of Rashtra Devo Bhav and share the talent with others for Bharat Vikas Parishad. Bhagvad Gita dictum is ''The way an ideal leader performs, behaves, conducts himself, faces the challenges in life, common men follow him. Whatever standards such an ideal leader sets by his exemplary acts, the whole world pursues them'. With this as the main theme all members below 45 years and those who have the 'esprit de corps' or - the spirit of comradeship, vigor, enthusiasm, vivacity, courage, and loyalty to the organisation etc. devotion of the organisation to a cause of effectiveness of youth mobilisation that makes the members desire to succeed.

Our glorious record of projects of 'Sewa' and 'Sanskar', are not simply an end in itself, but these must result also in the larger good of society. BVP aim is to offer par excellence delivery in the nurturing, transformation and empowerment of youths for nation building. We are basically trying to mobilize the youth for the social commitment of BVP for the future of our motherland. Though a holistic approach, Bharat Vikas Parishad can provide a suitable working arena that gives physical, mental, psychological and spiritual boost to his or her personality. It is therefore vital that we share with our youth and students, the importance of India’s rich and diverse cultural heritage and value systems so that they are able to understand it and can tap the wisdom of our forefathers to improve life today. In addition we may introduce them to the cherished ideals and projects that can be of interest to them. We cannot and should not overlook the inquisitiveness of youth about what's happening in the world around them.

Conceptualization of the Youth Forum
The BVP must spell out a vision and program of how we can prepare younger generations to be worthy citizens of our country, our continent and the world. We must elaborate a strategic project of how to build a glorious future tailored to the needs of the greatest majority of our people. In our march forward, we must always remember that our ideal is Swami Vivekananda and hence we should constantly get inspiration from him and other great persons. Let us prove that our commitment to this organisation is as deep as that of those that founded it. Let the new generations gradually imbibe the spirit of BVP, especially for the poor and pledge their support, loyalty and respect to development of motherland.

           Together, we symbolize the collective journey that all of us are traversing from the past to the present of peace, democracy and development. In a bid to expand the base of the BVP, some path-breaking initiatives/ campaign of youth mobilisation in BVP will have to be taken. One may say it is planning for a youth-connect-program (YCP). For the same, BVP wishes to launch a youth mobilisation initiative that aims to popularize the concept of vibrant nationality amongst the youth of the country. We have to involve all stakeholders such as religious leaders, women, Resource persons from other like -minded NGOs and youth leaders to help us in bringing young people to the BVP forum and to gain access to the information and services available at BVP. It could create a path that takes India from a uni-polar traditional nation into a multi-polar super power. We would like to empower young people with life skills to help them achieve their dreams, think critically, negotiate risky situations, and express themselves freely

Objectives of youth mobilisation or Youth-connect-programme
          The main objectives of the mobilisation of youth or Youth-connect-program (YCP) are:

(i)         BVP aim is to offer par excellence delivery in the nurturing, transformation and empowerment of youths for nation building.

(ii)        Encourage and support a holistic approach towards youth for 're-inventing oneself as Yuva Darshan' through that gives physical, mental, psychological and spiritual boost to his or her personality.

(iii)       Encourage and support active participation of youth in the process of socially valuable and nation building activities and development of personality of the youth.

(iv)      Undertake incentive-based programmes for youth, which will be associated with their exposures to various activities of 'Sewa' and 'Sanskar' Projects.

(v)       Recognize the activities and contributions made by youth in various fields of national development; so that youth having regard to its preferences and needs, may choose from among various options when it wishes to fulfill its intellectual urges and aspirations;

(vi)      Promote a spirit of national integration, unity in diversity, pride in being Indian among the youth of different parts of the country and to induce a sense of communal harmony amongst the youth; and

(vii)     Enable the youth to receive education and knowledge about Indian culture, freedom struggle, Constitution of India, five-year plans, schemes for weaker sections, protection of heritage and environment, population impacts. Thus, we have to find how BVP can increase the opportunities for youth through creating a passion amongst youth for a social change and to present a spirit of entrepreneurship for the social change in the true spirit of nationalism as envisaged by Swami Vivekanand.

(viii)    To provide Social Entrepreneurship to Youth through an exposure of realities of life in urban and semi-rural areas and to sharpen the skills of rapport formation, situational analysis and awareness generation in the community.

(ix)      To promote group activity amongst students in senior secondary /college/university/management institutes to focus on the nationalism and other salient issues of the country.

 Youth-connect-program (YCP)
BVP aim is to offer par excellence delivery in the nurturing, transformation and empowerment of youths for nation building. For sustainability of youth-connect-program (YCP), it is important for our organisation to initiate steps an information-sharing community oriented education, participation and involvement of all stakeholders. It is suggested to:

o       First identify and set up a communication network with youth organizations in each region of the country.

o      Motivate youth groups, family units and individual young people to be productively involved in economic, social  and political activities in their communities.

o      Establish a 'Forum for youth and Students' in each Prant of BVP to develop organizational and leadership skills and qualities, democratic attitude and competence required for sharing of responsibilities through skills to practice national integration, social harmony and in mobilizing community participation to meet emergencies and natural disasters and to sharpen the skill of group activity and to initiate the development of attitudes conducive for effective team work.

o     Establish Youth Centres at selected Branch of BVP with office building: These centers with newspaper, magazines, library books, game materials etc. will attract youth, students and responsible citizens.

o      Involve youth in problem-solving process with a sense of social and civic responsibility after identifying the needs and problems of the society and to utilize their knowledge in finding practical solutions to individual and community problems.

o      Encourage and provide opportunities to young people to participate meaningfully in issues of national integration and development. Involve youth to over see and serve as a Volunteer in the activities of Projects of Yuva Sanskar, Environment, Health, IRD Project of BVP-Jindal Foundation and NGSC, BKJ, GVCA,

o     Enrolment of potentially useful youth members in BVP and arrange Orientation Programs and extension lectures covering topics such as BVP Projects (Seva & Sanskar, Permanent, Integrated Rural Development Projects, home economics, health care, banking etc. to improve the level of general awareness of new youth members.

o      Align with the traditional events to synergise the activities of youth to promote the activities on a more vibrant platform with its in-depth expertise.

o      Establish youth related mechanism to work with monitoring committees of BVP to ensure that youth specific indicators are being implemented and track level of success of the development of young people. No matter our age, gender, occupation, education level, or station in life -  each of us touches and influences other lives -  each of us is a leader to someone.

o      Provide educational support to youth, especially girls, handicapped, underprivileged students and other marginalized groups and to promote technology-based youth participation activities.

o      Assist under-privileged, in procurement of Micro Finance to enable them in getting affordable information for higher education and /or starting the entrepreneurship more accessible.

Youth Activities
To enthuse young generation we may plan activities for three categories. Based on general consensus and experience the 'activity module' will gradually develop.  A proposed Plan of activities is shown in the table below.

Post your comments to skvgreenarc@hotmail.com

 

COMMENTS     It is a comprehensive well written article. Nearly all the aspects are covered. Some of the activities are are already going on in BVP. Few feasible projects can also be taken up after careful examination.  Prof. S.P. Tiwari Chandigarh,, 29 August, 2008     I feel constantly that we really need to mobilise our youth to know 'more about India' without colouring their views through one or other of the political parties. Our kids are in general bright, much more sensitive than children from  west and still today our society still holds up the age-old virtues. Somehow as the kids grow up they face more and more pressure from all sides, schools, parents, changing society and peer groups. We are getting more and more selfish day by day but still in India we see young people from the lowest ranks of the society have a smile to share with anyone who cares to smile back. People from the rich as well as  west find it magical.  If there is anything that the peer groups can do is to help the younger generation to help maintain a balance between their private and public lives, their social duties including duties towards the country and society in general. Reeta Bhattacharya Kolkata, 24 August, 2008     The article written by Shri S.K. Verma is need of the time. To make more useful I'm translating the same in Hindi and some one from other part of India should try to translate in language prevalent in that Prant / State. Anil Chordia Pali Marwar, 22 August, 2008   Thanks a lot for writing an article on the topic "Youth Mobilisation in the Service of our Motherland". Most of the points mentioned in the article were in the minds of the senior members of BVP Chennai. These senior members of BVP stand like our mentors and attract us to taste the real sweetness of Social Service.  Swamy Vivekananda Samithi Vadapalani (SVSV) has been started with due blessings of these senior members and have started to actively work on projects to develop and sustain the different levels of people. Some of projects were executed successfully and some of them are in progress. I personally feel very happy that the Samithi is operating in the most righteous way as requested by the VP of BVP.  One thing which is unanimously accepted from our (Youth) side is the management of TIME and Time management is very obligatory. We from the IT background do not find adequate time during weekdays and the graph for effort during these days is too low. Thus we diversified Samithi with both Employees and Students, to give Students too a vital part in Samithi and the fill in the gap of effort of weekdays.   As mentioned in the article, we are planning to hold more programs focussing youth in the upcoming months. With Swamy Vivekanand's name for our Samithi and thru the prop up of our senior members we are here to create difference in the people of our nation…. For this we seek and appeal for a kind and usual support from our team BVP! Ramkumar Subramanian Chennai, 20 August, 2008     Your article posted in the BVP web site is really a useful material for every BVPian to work towards the job suggested by you. In Tamilnadu, we have already started our activity with a youth branch...Currently about 20 members have joined and good number of such people are awaited....This web world has given a phenomenal contact, which is fast and one to one. National VP contacting a sibling of BVP family and mentoring direct!!!!. Thanks to site's wonderful job. R. Hariharan Chennai, 18 August, 2008     A youth branch among students: I feel it is possible only if we are willing to spare some time for their career development, such as a weekly meeting devoted to Interview skills, GD, PD etc. Dr. D.D. Misra Bhubaneswar, 16 August, 2008

top         Home    Seminars in Young and Energetic India by Prof. Satya Prakash Tiwari National Chairman, Seminar Project, BVP Young and Energetic India India is emerging as world power. It is a nuclear power and in a position to have controlled nuclear devices. It has largest scientific and technical manpower in the world, competitive space technology and getting ready to land on moon. The country is nuclear in sea and part of Antarctica mission and it is leading in information technology and soft ware industry.  Industrial sector is growing exponentially, buying leading industries and developing most innovative technology for passenger car. Education Sector is expanding to reach to every one. There is revolution in connectivity through television, telephone, mobile, e-mail, internet, roads, trains and air flights. Medical facilities are expanding and there is modern outlook in life style. Overall there is boom in Economy. There is no more suppression and 70% population of India is young. Spiritual  Superiority Our national prosperity is spreading our Spiritual Knowledge. World bodies are accepting the Ayurvedic herbal treatment. Yog Vidya is becoming popular. Fine arts, music and dance are being appreciated and respected. Veds and Upnishads are being adopted. Indian market is attracting Hindi learning. Modern science is converging to Indian philosophy and Indian minds are consistently proving their superiority in all walks of life. In conclusion, if Einstein gave the mass energy relation for technological revolution, Gandhi gave the message of Truth and Non-Violence for universal peace and prosperity.  Allienation of Young Educated The young educated is unaware of ancient language Sanskrit, Rashtra Bhasa Hindi and even their own mother tongue. They are educated through English and in English style where the facts are distorted by English authors due to their incomplete knowledge and self-interest. They know little about Ved, Upnishad, Ramayana, Mahabharat, Geetanjali, other great epics of all time and glorious past of India.  Their knowledge of Indian Mathematics, Science, Medicine, Agriculture, Philosophy, Music and Dance is limited. The life in USA and UK is their role model and they hesitate to say that they are proud Indians. They lack the courage, self-confidence and to some extent they appear intellectually subjugated perhaps due to historical reasons.  Here it is important to mention that Mahatma Gandhi held the view that western civilization is founded in a false view of universe and man’s role in it. This falsehood at the core had corrupted all its products including its science and technology. He further emphasized that Indian Civilization was founded in truth. Its basic principles, its fundamental moral and social order were sound. It has within itself all the necessary resources to overcome the temporary moral, social and material weaknesses that India was then suffering from. Indians have nothing to learn from west, they only needed to become better Indians, better and more faithful practitioners of moral, social and material discipline that Indian civilization has long taught them. Professor M.M.Joshi in his recent book “Science, Sustainability and Indian National Resurgence” has further reinforced the above views.  He says that we have to change our mind set and start thinking and acting towards developing a new model, based on sustainable consumption to replace the current economic model that is based on a mechanistic and fragmentary world view and is propelled by market forces alone.  The concept of sustainable consumption lifts the environmental arguments to the plain of ethics and morality, to the plain where Indian civilization seeks to regulate and discipline material culture of which science and technology form an integral part, the plain at which Mahatma Gandhi formulated his response to the west.  The learned founders of Bharat Vikas Parishad Dr. Suraj Prakash and Lala Hans Raj have also propagated the same views. Seminar Programme Base on discussions I had with our colleagues, following consolidated views are presented for resurging and strengthening BHARTYA SANSKAR in this Scientific and Technological Era. These suggestions for Seminar Subjects are comprehended in three groups:  (A) Economy  (B) Science and Technology  (C) Social Harmony. The aim of seminar is set two fold: (A) To reinforce  "BHARTYA SANSKAR" in the educated and intellectuals of society. (B) To convince the young mind that you are (SHRESHTHA BHARTIYA NAGRIC)        great citizen of India. You are the blessed one that you are born and brought up on       this great piece of land on this planet. Considering the suggestions received from different zones, the following subjects are suggested for seminars. All the zones are divided into four groups as for National Workshops.           A. North Group (Zone I to V): (a) Elimination of Female Fetus (Kanya Bhrun Hatya),     (b) Territorial Terror               (c)   Modern Technology and Indian Culture B. East Group (Zone VI to IX): (a) What Ails Indian Economy, (b) Family Health Care and Medical Science      (c) Boarder Security and Demographic Changes C. West Group (Zone X to IX): (a) Water Preservation, (b) Social Harmony,      (c) Indian Financial Institutions.         D. South Group (Zone XV to XII): (a) Thoughts of Adi Guru Shankacharya and Modern  Science,                (b) Impact of Movies and Alcohol on Young Generation,  (c) Societal Terrorism Targets (A) Intellectuals of Society: Teachers, Advocates, Doctors, Engineers, Chartered a/c.    Journalist, Authors, Artists        and other intellectual groups of society   (B) Young college/University students: Graduates, Postgraduates, Research Scholars       Professional Graduates: Medical, Engineering, Polytechnics, Computers, Business  Law, Pharmacists       and other professional graduates  Seminar Venue College and University Campuses. Nature of Seminars (a) Samman Samaroh Samman and Lecture of an Eminent Religious, Social or Intellectual leader Open to all sections of society  Preferably hold on holiday evening Target: large gathering (b) Two Hour Seminar Program: Series of two lectures by two eminent speakers  Preferably in the evening of working day  In the campus of Educational Institute Target: large number of students and teachers  Frequency  At least ONE (a) and (b) programs above in 3 to5 cities in each Prant each year.                           (The above program is minimum one. Branches must continue other existing seminar programs) Time:   Preferably in the months of October, November and December Budget:  Approximately Rs 20,000/= for each Prant (need suggestions).  Record:  Effort should be made to have a written manuscript of about 1200 words from   the speakers. If not possible, short hand writer/tape recorder may be used to record the lecture. It can be typed, edited, and the manuscript be approved by the speaker. If the written material is interesting, the center may arrange for its publication and circulation. Arrangements Each Prant may constitute a committee to take up the responsibility of seminars. The Seminar should start with (a) Deep Prajwaln (b) Rashtra Geet  (c) Brief introduction of Bharat Vikas Parishad (d) Brief introduction of Speakers (e) At the End Rashtra Gan. Arrangements for Coffee/ Tea or any other refreshment may be made as per situation after the lecture.  Post your comments to: profsprakash@hotmail.com

COMMENTS   Dear Verma Ji, I congratulate you for putting your views so precisely. A dynamic policy with innovative approach is the need of the day for BVP governance. The rapid economic and information evolution is well adopted by young India. I feel it is an achievement and they will take the nation ahead. We should rethink all our programs in a pragmatic way. Your suggestion of creating a BVP THINK TANK is great. Regards. S.P. Tiwari Chandigarh, 15th February, 2010   The article entitled "Seminars in Young and Energetic India" by Prof. Satya Prakash Tiwari is very useful in inculcating new visions and goals as per the aspirations of the the youth in the service of our motherland. We ought to organize a Seminar on the subject of  "How to generate / invite new ideas for the future governance and development of BVP, together with a proposal for absorbing dynamic policy with adequate governance . For being effective in governance / development in any organization mutual trust is needed to be establish with peers and advisers. A needs-led, flexible and tailored approach is called for, starting from the perspective of the groups and organisations. Let us create a "Think Tank" , which is responsible for constantly generating new initiatives and also monitoring the effectiveness of the on-going projects.   In voluntary organizations like ours the governance can be initially defined as focusing attention on three areas: setting direction; maintaining independence; and the national governing board's dynamics.   We must also plan to co-ordinate the existing resources of various BVP Donor Agencies , BVP Prants / BVP Branches , including Outside umbrella bodies, training agencies and funders.   The governance ought to possess a range of structures and procedures (constitution, board of members/trustees, written policies and procedures) based on competences of people and group processing the strategic thinking and group decision-making and also to accommodate the concepts of accountability and representativeness. There is a tendency to make three assumptions about organisations - that they were new; they wanted to grow; and their development needed to follow a linear path. Moreover we will have to consider to remove weaknesses and ambiguities in our constitution. I firmly believe that a poor constitutions is a root cause of governance problems. Small community groups and voluntary organisations occupy an ambiguous space between informal and formal activity. They do not necessarily develop in accordance with the 'ladder theory' - i.e. along a linear, rational path. Some evolve in loops, with cycles of fluctuating growth; others are content with their position in the spectrum. Others are compelled to change by institutional pressures from their environment, and because of governance and resource requirements. Groups and organisations inhabiting this ambiguous space were distinctive because they were dynamic, diverse and had a variety of the characteristics of both community groups and voluntary organisations. They could be positioned anywhere across the spectrum, and ranged from precarious refugee groups with little English and no resources, to well-resourced organisations comprising able and influential individuals. The future of the BVP lies in adoption of a dynamic approach through constant generation of dynamic projects so as to fulfill the basic objectives of the organization asa well to meet the desired changes in attitude and new structure of governance through a "Think Tank" before it is too late. Let us have a positive and dynamic policy and programmes for futuristic growth. S.K.Verma National Vice President Udaipur, 14th February, 2010

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