Youth get together for social change

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In order to mark the National Youth Day, ComMutiny — the Youth Collective in collaboration with the NGO Pravah and Youth Alliance recently organised “5th Space [Live]: Youth in Social Action”, an event that attempted to create an unique space for youth development.

The event witnessed more than 200 youngsters participating in the event where they discussed issues concerning the society including gender issues, violence, among others. The event was conceptualised in a way that it gave freedom to the participating youngsters to discover their inner self.
Ashraf, one of the organisers and co-founder of Pravah, says that the idea is to create a fifth space for the youngsters where they can understand themselves and grow as an individual, sorting out the conflicts going on in their life. “We call it the fifth space considering that the youngsters already have four traditional spaces that includes — education, friends, family, leisure and entertainment. These are the spaces where a young person often cannot voice his/her opinions openly. These spaces don’t really create opportunities for young people to learn about themselves and the world around them. But the fifth space would give them that opportunity,” says Ashraf.
The recent protests across the country after the Delhi gang-rape case has shaken the youngsters even more. Many participants at this event felt that there’s a need to bring a change and that can only come about when they themselves are clear about what they need to do.
Ayesha Adlakha, a second year student of sociology from St Stephen’s College, who participated in the programme, says that for two months ago she wasn’t clear about what she wanted to do in life. “But I started getting involved in such social discussions and it has given me a better understanding of what we need to do as youngsters,” she says and adds that discussing one’s views openly with people of one’s age really helps in sorting out things.
Another college student, Tanvi, who is pursuing journalism, thinks that it’s easy to become a part of the crowd and protest for a particular issue. “But it is difficult to find out what you are really fighting for. You may know that what is happening is wrong, but to find out how you can make things right you need to engage in a social conversation. A regular event like this can help in help us findthose answers,” she says.
Besides discussion sessions, the event also witnessed the youngsters engaging in dance and music programmes.