Bangalore-based Azim Premji Foundation conducted three workshops recently in Nuapada district under its Youth Engagement Programme (YEP) in collaboration with the local colleges like Biju Patnaik College, Boden, Upendra Prabhakar College, Tukla and Khariar Autonomous College. The topic was ‘The role of youth in social transformation.’ More than 1,000 students and lecturers participated.
Arguing that India is one of the youngest countries of the world, Assistant Professor of the Azim Premji University Nilotpal Kumar said, “The median age of our youth is 25/26 whereas the median age of Canada is 40 and in case of Germany, it is 44. This comparison reflects that our country is getting younger where as the westerners are becoming older. So technically we are enjoying demographic dividend, which should be translated into prospective growth and development.”
“Concerning the social reality of our nation, the focus of YEP programme is not just limited to cities but we are engaged with the youths of remote corners,” said Purusottam Sing Thakur of Dhamtari field office of Azim Premjee foundation. “Through these workshops, we hope to engage the youths of Nuapada district in the transformation process, who are segregated from the developmental opportunities,” he added.
Team leader of the foundation Sunil Kumar Sah appealed the students to apply for the post graduate courses of the Azim Premji University. “The students who actually want to work for the transformation of the society can study in the university,” he said. “The goal of PG courses of the university is to help the youths gain knowledge to realize the dream of our constitution,” added Sah.