ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN AS PER THE YUVA NITI PAIROKARI ABHIYAAN

As a follow up to the earlier posts on this blog, here we are to encapsulate the ongoing activities as a part of the campaign being carried out to publicize the draft of the youth policy and gather support on it. We shall keep you updated as the campaign proceeds.

The campaign was successfully launched on the 13th November with a press conference being organized at the Press Club. thereafter the activities have increased manifolds and the support gathered has been humongous so far. The activities have been happening at both- state and district levels. the media has been there throughout to capture the efforts of the youth taken in the direction of their own welfare. The various national and international days falling between the time frame of 13th November and 11th December, have been celebrated with overwhelming spirits and were related to the issues covered under the policy to find each one of them a suitable platform for a well founded discussion and gathering support thereafter. The activities include street plays, signature campaigns, puppet shows, various competitions, hand bills distribution and others. The partner organizations and other network institutions have been very cooperative and have aided the youth in all their endeavors. Some of the activities have been cited below to take you to a ride of the volley of such events and functions which are being held across Uttar Pradesh.

STATE LEVEL ACTIVITIES

7th December, Press conference with political parties' youth representatives, UP Press Club

The initiative to formulate the Youth policy in Uttar Pradesh was well acknowledged and deeply appreciated by the youth representatives of various political parties. They actively took part in the discussion and came forward making some valuable suggestions. Some of the reactions of the political leaders were- “Though we all represent different political parties, we should forget our party line and come forward for youth development in Uttar Pradesh.”; “Our constitution grants youth many rights, but to ensure all these rights and to avail themselves of the offered programmes there is an urgent need for a Youth Policy in Uttar Pradesh.”; “For better implementation of this Youth Policy there should be a Youth Commission.” Thus all in all, the entire event was a success and their opinions were of utmost essence.

Present at this meeting were: NGO:; AALI, HUMSAFAR, Pt.G.B. PANT, FPI and SAHAYOG; Ms. Sunita Shiddhartha Shankar.

The snapshots of the press conference are available here.

3^rd December, Pragati Park, Kapoorthala, Aliganj

The day marked twenty five years of the sufferings of those affected by the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. They have been exposed to such trauma post the catastrophe, justice hasn’t happened still, most of them haven’t been compensated monetarily. In order to express their grief and vehement opposition to the same, a candle march was organized, placards were displayed, and slogans were called out, by the youth, voluntary organizations, to prevent such epidemics from occurring again.

The students from IMS, Lucknow University, FPAI, Asha Ashram, Mahila Swasthya Adhikaar Manch, MASVAW, Youth for Change, and other partner organizations.

The photos of the same event can be seen here

2^nd December, Bakshi ka Talab

In order to spread the clauses of the draft of the youth policy, a street play was held, which conveyed the essentials of the UP youth policy. Following the same, when we went ahead asking the youth for their feedback, one of the same needs mention, wherein an individual wanted to put in his views but was unable to do the same, owing to the fact that he was educated till class 5^th only. This highlights the miserable condition of the provision for education to the youth, which on paper states that the education is compulsory and free to the children between the ages of 6 to 14 years. There were around 300 people present during the street play, who also were keenly interested in placing their views and expressing their support. The education clause in the youth policy talks about a more coherent system which would include information on health, social issues, issues like what is the right age of marriage, reproducing and other matters of importance.

1^st December, Lucknow University

A street play was organized by the youth to spread the essentials of the youth policy and the message was well conveyed as it saw support in huge numbers. The pictures of the same can been seen here

27^th November, Lucknow Mahotsava

At a signature camp organized on 27^th November, Utkarsh Sinha, a social worker, expressed that despite the changes being observed, there are stark ground realities which are miserable. We talk of equality and equitability on one hand, and on the other hand still discrimination prevails. The entire society needs to come together if we really intend to ensure existential equality. UP has a huge number of youth, who are different in various aspects. To ensure equality, the government should ensure participation of youth to let them voice their concerns. Also to oppose the violence against women, hand bills were distributed and posters were displayed. The aim was to make the individuals available of the Women Protection act, 2005, to stop the increasing violence against women.

The representatives of various voluntary organizations, other networks, social workers from Lucknow University, media, and students were a part of this event.

The photos of the same can be seen here

20th November, Shashi Bhushan Degree College, A.P.Sen Degree College

The colleges observed the debate competitions being organized, the topics of which were centered on issues related to the lack of necessary facilities required by the youth and in the same direction, for the need of the youth policy in the state. Also there was a signature campaign organised at the Daliganj Mela, which gathered support marvellously.

The clips of the competitions have been uploaded here.

19^th November, Buddha Bazaar, Nishatganj

On the eve of the International Day against Child Abuse, members of Yuva Niti Pairokari Abhiyaan organized a rally, displaying posters demanding a Youth Policy. Parents were supportive and conveyed that there is an immediate need for the youth policy in UP. 12% of the total crimes against children perpetrated in India occur in UP, and UP is ranked the third highest among states in child abuse. 29.4% of al child victims of homicide occur in UP. Very few legal or psychological provisions exist for children, even the condition of education provision is miserable qualitatively and quantitatively. This campaign which continues till 10^th December will highlight and address issues from around the State which need to be explored and incorporated in Youth Policy.

The photos of the same can be seen here

DISTRICT LEVEL ACTIVITIES

25^th November, Muzzafarnagar

To mark the anti violence day against women, the youth representatives went ahead meeting with the S.S.P., S.P., and D.M. There they voiced their concerns and the problems like eve teasing, which have become the order of the day. Rajiv Malhotra, SSP, was extremely cooperative and listened patiently to the entire discourse and extended his full support in person. They even met the probationary officers and it was heartening to find his overwhelming support.

24^th November, Greenfields Modern School, Muzzafarnagar

Astitva, a voluntary organization, in order to oppose the gender discrimination, organized various competitions with the girls from classes 9^th and 10^th from the same school. The girls from another organization, Prerna, also took part in the same wholeheartedly. It was a successful event and the information on the draft of the youth policy could be fully conveyed and support successfully gathered.

21^st November, Purkazi

A meeting was organized wherein the Muslim women took part along with the women from Jharkhand, and discussed the clauses of the draft of the youth policy. They expressed their concerns over the human trafficking done and the extortions they have to bear thereafter. Also, various other issues of vital importance were also discussed and after they were satisfied that their concerns have been done justice with in the draft, they extended their support.

19^th November, Junior High School, Purkazi

A Youth Carnival was organized by one of the voluntary organizations, Astitva, wherein the boys as well as girls took part in huge numbers. The draft of the youth policy was well publicized and owing to the large gathering, the information could well be conveyed to many of them in the district. They sang many songs, took part in plays, and extended their support by being a part of the signature campaign.

16^th November, Vaseda

A meeting was organized by a voluntary organization, Astitva, to discuss the draft of the youth policy, its shortcomings, if any. The youth and the ladies took part in a good number and brought forward their opinions on the same. They also extended their full support and appreciated the initiative taken.

14^th November, Purkazi

On the eve of Children’s day, a function was organized in three schools, by Astitva, a voluntary organization, in the presence of village Pradhan, chairman, teachers’ sabhasad, doctors, principals of the schools and others. Those present actively took part in the event and expressed their opinions on the draft of the youth policy, thereafter conceding to lend their support on the same initiative.