American India Foundation’s Post

Sabal Sapna Dal: A growing collective of young rural women professionals fueled by their career aspirations Living in the remotest villages of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, they are bound together by the Sapna Centre, a rural college model to facilitate learning-to-earning for rural women. With its STEM and management skills training programs like - Coding, Primary Math Teacher Training and Project Management, Sajhe Sapne is launching careers of young rural women to enter domains where their entry is not imagined yet. These women graduate from Sapna Centre and join the modern workforce. They are capable of being financially independent and launching their career pathways. They become a relatable role model for other young girls and women in their villages. The young rural women are called Sapnewaalis i.e. Women with fire in their bellies! From aspiring to start a Sapna Centre in their village, to supporting the education of other young women like themselves, these women are an inspiration to young girls around them to dream for a better future for themselves. They find solidarity and strength in the Sabal Sapna Dal Collective (Lifelong Sisterhood Group) where women from similar rural contexts practice the Power of Learning, Earning & Collective together. In the last 3 years, Sajhe Sapne has transformed the lives and built career pathways of 90 rural young women and is all set to welcome their next batch of Sapnewaalis! “What’s ahead for us”, says Surabhi Yadav, (Founder, Sajhe Sapne and Member, The vartaLeap Coalition), “is strengthening the alumni group from within. As their mindsets evolve, there will be clashes at the family and community levels. We want to have more conversations to better equip them to navigate these situations, without compromising on their aspirations. We want to support them in influencing the community to see a young woman’s growth as a matter of pride for the village.” When working with young people, the ‘self’ and ‘social’ elements go hand in hand. On their journey of discovering and building an identity for themselves, they are often influenced by society, and they in turn influence the people around them. The openness to let it influence you even as you build the capacity and skill to bring change around you, is truly inside-out transformation! #MemberStory #YouthDevelopment #YouthLeadership #vartaLeap #vartaLeapMember

The theme, “Youth in the 21st Century: Shaping the Future of Youth-Centric Development in Madhya Pradesh,” underscores the urgent need to empower young voices in shaping our society. In today's rapidly evolving world, the youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow but active agents of change today. Their voices, ideas, and perspectives are crucial in shaping policies and initiatives that directly impact their lives. Youth from diverse backgrounds, including rural and tribal areas, often face unique challenges. This Youth meet aims to bring these voices to the forefront, ensuring that no one is left behind. From active citizenship and mental health to climate change and employment, the conference covers a wide range of topics critical to youth development. Each theme is carefully selected to address the pressing challenges and opportunities that young people face today. By discussing these issues, we aim to develop targeted strategies that empower youth and create a supportive environment for their growth and success. Synergy Sansthan is organizing a series of four Youth Meets across Harda, Indore, Jabalpur, and Gwalior to collect youth voices on key issues. Get ready for the first Youth Meet happening tomorrow in Harda, Madhya Pradesh, from 11 AM to 5 PM! After this 4 Youth Meet there will the main event of State Youth Conference 2024(Yuvaa Aagaz, Yuva Aawaz) on 11th and 12th August 2024 in Bhopal Madhya Pradesh. Stay tuned for updates from each Youth Meet and mark your calendars for the main event in August. Let’s make a difference, one voice at a time! #युवाआगाजयुवाआवाज़ #SynergySansthan #YouthIn21stCentury #YuvaAagajYuvaAwaz #YouthDevelopment #YouthCentricDevelopment #YouthLeadership #YouthForChange #EmpowerYouth #YouthAndClimate #MentalHealthForYouth #YouthEntrepreneurship #YouthPolicyMP #YouthActiveCitizenship Deval Sanghavi Anantvijay Singh Sampat Mandave Natasha Joshi  Abhishek Das Zulfi Haider Aman Bhaiya Rajaram Chavan Manak Matiyani

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit #Sukma district in #Chhattisgarh, a region that has faced immense challenges due to Naxalist activities. During my visit, I encountered a powerful story of resilience: villagers along with the local administration and Shiksharth had started a school that had been destroyed by the Naxalists. This experience brought back many of the conversations we often have during our meetings about #quality, #scale, and #context in #education sitting at comfortable places. What I observed in Sukma is a poignant reminder that priorities are defined by the unique context of each region. While we often discuss the higher levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs in our work, places like Sukma still grapple with the most fundamental needs—access to education and health facilities. In another part of Sukma, I witnessed light of hope and resilience. Thanks to the consistent efforts of organizations like Shiksharth and the local administration, there now stands an "Education City" with residential schools for girls and boys, sports facilities, and even a science park. In a district where the literacy rate is only 29%, these initiatives are not just transformative—they are essential. I am reminded of Ashish Shalini Shrivastava's powerful statement from our panel discussion during #Invoked: “A solution that is deeply embedded in a cultural context may not be the best solution, but that is the most relevant solution in the context.” This couldn't be truer for regions like Sukma, where context dictates not just the relevance but the very possibility of change. On this #IndependenceDay, I wish for each child in every part of our country to have the opportunity to #learn, #play, #grow, and #dream without any limits. As we move forward, let us keep in mind that the path to true progress is not just about scaling successful models but about deeply understanding and respecting the unique needs and challenges of each community we aim to serve. Santosh More I Sandeep Parakkal Shikshāgraha #EducationForAll #ContextMatters #Resilience #CommunityDevelopment #RightToLearn #SocialImpact #ChildrenFirst #CulturalContext #contextualsolutions #collectiveaction

Career guidance and rural outreach are essential for empowering youth in underserved areas. By providing access to career information and counselling, we can help young people make informed decisions about their futures. Rural outreach programs bridge the gap between education and employment, offering opportunities for skill development and career exploration. Together, we can unlock the potential of rural youth and drive sustainable development in these communities. I have travelled to more than 200 cities from Kanyakumari to Srinagar, from Baroda to Siliguri - working on this theme of empowering rural youth, and it has been such a satisfying journey. Witnessing firsthand the challenges faced by rural communities, but also their immense potential, has been truly eye-opening. Interacting with rural youth, understanding their aspirations, and collaborating with local organizations has made this an incredibly rewarding experience. I'm hoping to continue this impactful work and do more as I move forward, contributing towards unlocking the untapped talent and driving inclusive growth across rural India.By implementing holistic strategies focused on education, skill development, digital inclusion, and entrepreneurship, we can create an enabling environment for rural youth to thrive. Their success is not just crucial for their personal growth but also for the overall socio-economic progress of our nation. I remain committed to this cause and look forward to many more enriching experiences along this journey. #AmanJainPhD #AJSpeaks #AJInsights #CareerGuidance #RuralOutreach #YouthEmpowerment #EducationForAll #CommunityDevelopment #SkillDevelopment #FutureLeaders #SustainableDevelopment #ZavFoundation

In light of the recent tragic incident with Trainee Dr in Kolkata, it’s a stark reminder that education is not just about earning certificates—it's about instilling respect, empathy, and dignity for all, regardless of gender. At Bitiyaa, we believe that both boys and girls need to be educated in a way that fosters respect for women and paves the way for a safer, more equitable society. It’s time to pause and rethink: Are we truly educating our boys to respect and value women? The future of our society depends on it. Let’s commit to nurturing the next generation with the right values, so they can create a better, safer world for all. #RethinkEducation #RespectForAll #Bitiyaa #EducationForChange #EmpowerOurFuture

32 young girls from Devadasi community and vulnerable families are attending the four-month VIHAAN’s skill development training programme in the district of Gokak, Karnataka. The Devadasi practice involves the ‘marriage’ or dedication of young girls to a deity and girls live in servitude and are often sexually exploited. It is a harmful norm. Children who do not engage in sex work also face stigma and discrimination. These young girls are highly vulnerable to trafficking, abuse, violence and exploitation. VIHAAN’s skill development and livelihood generation programme serves as a crucial link for these young girls to enter the workforce which will prevent them from being trafficked or victimised. Our modules comprise foundation, socio-emotional and job-specific skills, enabling these young girls to navigate personal, social and economic challenges, support them to get jobs and achieve financial independence. It's all about that one opportunity to live a normal life! Visit our website to learn more about how you can provide that one opportunity, www.vihaan-wms.org #Supportsurvivors #Endhumantrafficking #Stopabuse

More power to you!!

In 1936 Ambedkar started the Independent Labour party. This was a big step into India's politics, where he challenged unfair rules about caste and work rights. The ILP wanted to speak up for people who didn't have much power, like workers and discriminated people. Ambedkar worked hard through the ILP for fair work laws and justice. He wanted everyone to have good pay, safe work places, and equality. This work showed Ambedkar's dream of an India where everyone, no matter their background, had equal rights. His work with the ILP helped a lot in making things better for workers and making sure everyone was treated equally. Apart from this, Ambedkar was a man with a vision for social justice, who single-handedly contributed to the Indian Constitution. Ambedkar passed away on December 6th 1956 it marked an era. There are reports that Ambedkar owned over 50,000 books. Ambedkar's belief in the power of education and learning as tools for social change. Ambedkar collection of books remains as a symbol of his lifelong dedication to learning and his profound understanding of the complexities of human society and governance. We live the path that Ambedkar told, drove, and envisioned. AppLogiQ wishes you a Happy Ambedkar Jayanti to all! Lets contribute the society for social justice. #applogiq #ambedkar #socialjustice #equality #makedigitallives

Gen-Z and Maturity: Does age really define maturity levels? Recently, I had the privilege of interacting with Gen-Z undergoing PGDM at Jaipuria Institute of Management, Indore. We discussed a seemingly less cognizant and somewhat mundane topic of #emotionalintelligence. Contrary to popular beliefs, the levels of zeal, zest, and inclination to understand the issues affecting our lives by a supposedly less caring generation was heartwarming. Also, stood out was the level of maturity these youngsters portrayed. It is commonly believed that "age and maturity aren't correlated," however my conversation with this crowd rested all contrary views for me! This experience led me to question whether age really defines maturity levels!?? Have we judged our emotional intelligence levels? Do we give ourselves more #credit for being emotionally mature? Does emotional intelligence need its rightful place in #school #curriculum? Should we educate and update ourselves and children periodically on related aspects with ever dynamic socio-techno-economic-politico changes? What do you think? #GenZ #Maturity #EmotionalIntelligence #care #millennials #GenX #change #transformation

Investing in girls' skills and employment is vital for lasting social progress. Let's equip girls with education, training and job opportunities to unlock their full potential. Project Manzil's success story speaks volumes with 10,000 girls entering the workforce.   Read more about the challenges that girls in Rajasthan had to overcome to reach their goals in BW Business World    https://lnkd.in/gjJD8Js3 Abhishek Sharma | BW Businessworld | MK Padma Kumar | Srijita Majumder | Srishti Pandey | Manish Sen | shilpi jain | Naresh Sharma | Ranveer Singh Rajawat | Ashwajit Singh | Raghwesh Ranjan | Ashish Mukherjee