Pritpal Singh Pannu, Chairman and founder of NIFAA, talks about right grooming and youth empowerment
In terms of rendering social services, are you planning to expand beyond 14 states of IndiaIJ If so, can you share more details about the sameIJ
NIFAA’s goal for year 2020 is to reach each and every district of the country. We have successfully organised Harmony 2017, an international cultural festival, which witnessed participation of youth social workers and artists from 29 states and five union territories of India. We have finalised new editions for Jharkhand, Daman and Diu, Dadra Nagar Haveli, Jammu andKashmir, Rajasthan, Bihar, Sikkim and Tripura. And very soon we are going to announce executive bodies for these states.
What are the future initiatives that the organisation is working uponIJ
“Youth for constructive change” is our tag line and we aim to involve the youth in activities of social reformation, social awareness and nation building. Since we are a fusion of art and activism, we are planning various activities which use art as a tool for social activism and in turn use social activism as a driving force for our cultural activities. Some of the important initiatives which we will take to all branches depending on the local needs and social issues of the concerned branch include the following:
CARE: We are running regular educational classes in urban slum areas as per the school’s and CBSE’s syllabus at their door step. These classes are affiliated with the reputed Doon International School in Karnal. After completing their education these children get a certificate from Doon International School. Along with education, we are also polishing their talent in sports, cultural activities and these children, who earlier were engaged in small labours, begging, garbage picking.
Harmony: It is an initiative started in 2007, in which thousands of artists and activists from different parts of the country assemble in Karnal for nine days to discuss socio-cultural issues and to find out, how they can contribute in nation building.
A very ambitious project which we have recently announced is to convert acid attack victims into acid attack fighters through their rehabilitation and empowerment.
There are ongoing projects to create awareness for women empowerment, eradication of social evils like drug addiction, terrorism, castiem and corruption.
Are you also planning for any future collaborations with states/diplomats which would be mutually beneficialIJ
Certainly there will be. NIFAA is working in the international arena and has good tie-ups with many international and national organisations, State governments and departments. We believe that benefits of all good schemes of the Centre or State governments should reach each and every person of the country and an NGO can play a vital role in this field. Every time we should not look for government grants or financial support.
On the international level, we have worked with International AIDS Society, Japan Foundation, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Global Organisation of people of Indian origin, Ministry of Art and Culture of Mauritius, International Institute of Perfect Arts and many more prestigious organisations.
How are you trying to encourage youth and the society towards social responsibilitiesIJ
Our basic focus is on youth. Although we have members from all age groups, our seniors are working as a guiding force for NIFAA. By 2020, India is set to become the world’s youngest country with 64 per cent of its population in the working age group. If we really want to make India a “VISHAV GURU” again, we should concentrate on right grooming and empowerment of youth. We need to take care of two basic problem areas — unemployment and national integration. Communal problems in India have reached an endemic level.