"We can do anything that we want to. We just need to want to."
There are so many things that are happening around us which we don't like, which we can fix, which we can change. We can do everything to have a better world to live in because we have that choice, the ability and power to change the bad to good. The Jago Yuva Bharat Campaign is a 61 day journey from Kanyakumari to Kashmir the sensitize the youth of our magnificent country about the power they hold in making the change they want to see.
A team of about 25 of us traveled the length and breadth of the country holding programs, presentations and interactions with young people at each place we stopped. We passed through 18 states and held interactions at schools, colleges, public gatherings. We wanted to learn about the people in each region, their way of life, the amazing treasures of their cultures, the problems they face. In our own way, we wanted to offer some insight, support and inspiration to all that we interacted with and make a mark on their mind. We had 3 main areas of focus:
1. Youth for Peace & Harmony through Dialogue and Mutual Understanding
2. Environment Conservation and Climate Change
3. Youth Led Development
This video was made to introduce what our campaign was about. You can check it out for more details.
We traveled in 2 tempo traveler buses. You couldn't miss us.
Our campaign was basically a mission undertaken by the Youth Activ8 Foundation and the Indian Catholic Youth Movement. Our team was a motley mix of people from all over the country.
The Executive Secretary of the Youth Activ8 Foundation and Director of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) led our team from Delhi and joined us in our programs in Nagpur and Calcutta. Guiding us throughout, he was the main support behind the entire campaign.
National Lady Animator of the ICYM. A formidable force on the journey with us, leading us with her wisdom and experience. Sr. Edleburgh has been a principal of a number of educational institutions, and used her expertise in interacting with the youth throughout the campaign.
Rakesh Singh, 30 (Baripada, Orissa)
Public Relations Officer at Youth Activ8 Foundation, Rakesh has interests in practically everything. Extensively traveled, he get along with people from everywhere, knowing about many cultures, learning about others along the way. He always had a way to make everyone feel comfortable and enjoy everything.
Jomon Vellapally, 29 (Manimala, Kerala)
Jomon was Program Coordinator at Youth Activ8 Foundation, and one of the quieter members of the team. He wasn't as flamboyant as some of the rest of us, but when he did speak, it was from a wealth of experience. The good part was he held no qualms in sharing that with all.
Always keeping the mood light with his antics, the President of the ICYM would deliver the 'inspiring' speeches at our programs. He has a brilliantly sharp memory and always had some trick up his sleeve to amuse anyone he's with. Tall and lanky, he always towered above the group.
Joice Mary Antony, 23 (Katappana, Kerala)
As the General Secretary of the ICYM, Joice is a blend of a strong, mature young lady and sweet, childlike, innocent girl. Alongside Ravi, she helped lead the team in the programs. It was interesting to talk to her because she always viewed things with a childlike wonder and enjoyed learning about the things around her.
The ever eloquent Spokesperson of the ICYM, Solomon was a natural in speaking in front of large crowds and engaging them into entertaining interactions. One of the most humble and gracious people on the team, he was always helpful and friendly to each person, whether he'd known them for a while or just met them.
Deepika is Treasurer of the ICYM. One of the happiest and funniest personalities of our group. She would be perpetually content no matter where we were. She also had a strong, responsible aspect and people would tap into that and trust her to take care of things or get stuff done. She also had the best fashion sense of anyone on the trip.
Prashanth, the 1st National Volunteer of the ICYM, was perhaps the most selfless among our team. Ever willing to help anyone who needed it, he work tirelessly and at each place we stopped. He always had a way to keep the situation tension free, and would jovially joke around with all. He was also part of the 'Tall Guy' club, and along with Ravi and John would loom high above everyone else.
One of the National Volunteers of the ICYM, John was one of the most hardworking among the team. He was also the mind behind the designs for our creative posters and other visual content for the campaign. He was also one of the very helpful ones on the trip, people making good use of his solid strength. He too, walked a world taller above the rest.
Another of the National Volunteers of the ICYM, Melwyn had the enthusiastic spirit needed to be on a journey like this one. He was always interested in learning about the places we visited and the people we met. He had a great ability to share, whatever he had and in whichever capacity, with others. Whether it was food, or photographs or just his energy and will power to get the job done. A great asset on our team.
Our dancers from Nrityarpan Dance Academy in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh:
Jennifer, 22 (Bangalore, Karnataka)
Nimisha, 23 (Dhamola,
Uttarakhand)
Heera, 18 (Naini Tal, Uttarakhand)
Savita, 20 (Kashipur,
Uttarakhand)
Kiran, 20 (Jaspur,
Uttarakhand)
Monika, 17 (Isanagar, Uttar Pradesh)
Shikha,
13 (Muradabad, Uttar Pradesh)
Our Production Team (handling all the video recording, were all from Shillong, Meghalaya)
Our Drivers, both from Kerala (Chetta means 'elder brother' in Malayalam)
Driver Swami Chetta, 25
Driver Jaimon Chetta, 27
We would also take on a some locals in each place, who would assist us and guide us along. They were especially helpful because if we didnt know the language of the region, it would become a handicap. But they were such blessings.
At each place, we held a program where we introduced all of us and interacted with all the people there. It was generally Ravi, Joice, Solomon or Sister who would start the program off with a speech/introduction. Our team of 7 dancers would also put up a show dancing on the themes of environment conservation, saving the girl child, the inspiration or Mother Teresa, and, India being the most profound country and being proud to be Indian. Rakesh would lead the interactive part of the program. He'd take up certain topics for discussion, sometimes orchestrate some games through groups, and ultimately help get our message across through a debate or discussion.
Each program, of course, would be different with all the unique elements of the place we were in. But with the diversity within our own team, we'd do just fine.
I always considered India to be a bunch of countries thrown together. Every 200km you'll find practically everything different - Language, weather, geography, food, customs, traditions, song, dance, dress, features of people, you name it - distinct and diverse. Here was our chance to experience just that.
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