We are all privy to the fact that the future is in the youth’s hands, and with India’s sizable young population, we have a lot to be hopeful for.
Chaitanya Prabhu’s non-profit and non-partisan organisation, Mark Your Presence, encourages the Indian youth to take active participation in the country’s democratic practices, and exercise their rights as voters. Through the pandemic, as they worked with students, they realised that there was a lack of a consolidated platform where the students’ ideas and concerns could be voiced – neglecting engagement and change. To disrupt this, the Youth Manifesto, ‘a city-wide political movement driven by young people to draft the first-ever people’s youth manifesto for the city of Mumbai’, was born.
“The Youth Manifesto movement is aiming to ignite energy and bring people together, break down barriers and encourage collaboration among long-time youth advocates, environmentalists, activists, emerging leaders, artists, policymakers, young leaders, politicians, and academics all in one city.”
— Chaitanya Prabhu, Founder, Mark Your Presence
The Youth Manifesto event took place at Antisocial in Lower Parel, where the need for the manifesto was discussed, with thorough insights from Navya Naveli Nanda, founder of Project Naveli and Malhaar Kalambe, founder of Beach Please.
“The forum shall primarily dive into the issues and demands of young people in regard to health, the environment and (city) administrative infrastructure. The aim is to bridge the gap between the youth and their representatives with the help of a declaration of demands. This manifesto will represent what the people want, and this manifesto will be submitted to the Environmental Ministry, Health Ministry, BMC Commissioner and the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.”
— Chaitanya Prabhu
The organisation has made an entry form available and will hold the next respective forum in the second week of April. This form can be accessed here.
The youth putting their foot forward in matters of public policy is vital. The decisions made and conclusions drawn are a result of inputs received, and the youth of the country showing up, being present, and remaining active is of utmost importance.
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