“There is so much negativity in the world," remarked veteran sports analyst Charu Sharma at the launch of India Forward, a school-based social initiative by teenager Arjun Bir. Quite the contrary!
With Charu Sharma and legendary batsman Rahul Dravid in attendance at the launch of the programme which connects schools in promoting several social activities, a positive audience is guaranteed, more so when there's some good-natured ribbing between old friends.
“The media will definitely take notice of us, with celebrities like Charu Sharma present,” remarked Dravid. Sharma whose middle name is wit, countered Dravid’s bouncer with a jibe of his own. “I noticed you were being referred to as ‘uncle’,” he said, before quietly adding, “Well, I guess you are one now.” Jest or jibe, it was all in keeping with the theme — positive thinking!
‘It’s great to see what young people can do’
To dismiss the efforts of today’s youth should be the last thing a society should do. Testimony to this is Arjun Bir, a 16-year-old-student of Mallya Aditi International School. India Forward, which will be a registered trust within the next day or two, has been planned and executed by Bir and was formally announced on Tuesday by Rahul Dravid and commentator Charu Sharma. “It’s great to see what young people can do and while he is a long way from achieving all that he has set out to do, he needs our support more than ever at this moment,” said Dravid.
“I started out because I was inspired by great people like Abdul Kalam, who did so much with his life despite coming from a small village in Tamil Nadu,” said Bir adding, “And I want to prove that the blame we place on the government is not justified, even if they are not working to the best of their abilities.” India Forward has four major approaches to development — the School For a School program, the Further Education Program, Water Purification Program and the Primary Education Program. The major planning and decision making will be done by an executive committee comprising students from different schools affiliated to the programme.
“Lack of primary education is the root cause of most of the problems our nation faces today,” said Bir. This challenge will be met by affluent schools adopting less prosperous ones nearby, for even if education in a government school is free, students still have to bear a number of other expenses, like uniforms, books and other necessities. Financial support will be provided to these schools and all decisions will be made at fortnightly meetings of the executive committee, which is one of the most impressive parts of the programme.