Introspection & social awareness

"Youth who take action while introspecting & maintaining social awareness are the hope of tomorrow"

Dr Vinay Koparkar, Snehalaya Pune

Participants proudly display their certificates on the final day of the youth camp, marking their achievements and growth during the program.

This year’s, Yuva Nirman January youth camp saw a departure from our previous three-day format. Building on their success with their Super 40 program with our slum school children, long-term Pune supporters, Mrs Shubhangi and Dr Vinay Koparkar led an inspiring 10-day camp for specially selected young people at our Rehab Center campus.  Responding to rapidly increasing social and economic inequalities, division in society and the hatred and violence spreading across the world, they are worried that our hopes of a bright future are dimming. Our 33rd state-level youth development camp asserted our belief that the youth who take action while introspecting and maintaining social awareness are the hope of India and the world.

While our previous camps have inspired youths from across the state with inspirational speakers, this year’s 10-day residential camp (21 to 30 January) involved a more immersive experience with greater personal interactions and capacity development. Places were limited and with a total of 176 applications from youth from across the state the final 40 were selected following face-to-face interviews. The successful students came from all areas, arts, science, commerce, including social work, biotechnology, agriculture, engineering, medicine and law.

At the very start of the camp, the youths were asked to complete psychological testing to learn more about tasked with exploring their own personalities, strengths and preferences through psychological tests. This was the start of their voyage of self-discovery to realise 'Who we are, what is the meaning and purpose of our existence.' This was complemented by sessions throughout the camp from Dr Koparkar on Self-esteem and strength, Use of strengths, Values ​​and character, Behavioral skills, Tackling relationships and the Basics of communication. The activity-based sessions included group discussions, role plays and educational games allowing the youths to explore their own qualities, abilities and skills.

The overall objective of engaging with youths through our camps is the raise their social awareness. This cannot be achieved through listening to lectures alone and our 40 inquisitive campers had a unique opportunity to take a closer look at the social issues Snehalaya tackles. This started with a visit to our projects. Interacting with our project trams and beneficiaries gave them the chance to learn more about children in need of care and protection, our work to end gender-based violence, healthcare and support for people living with HIV and how everything we do aims to empower women and children. The students were able to then spend a further three days in their chosen projects which they continued from 6 to 10am for the remaining days of the camp.

When our Founder, Dr Girish Kulkarni started Snehalaya, he made sure to learn from those already operating in the field. Therefore we also invited other NGOs and social workers to come and share their experiences with our campers. Open dialogue with those working passionately on many social issues gave the campers new perspectives and insights. Invitees included Siddharth Sonawane of Sarparajni Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Anant Zhende of Mahamanav Baba Amte Sanstha, Amol Mankar of Samarpan Sanstha, Santosh Jadhav of Durg Samvardhan Sanstha, Amita Udpikar-Chitale of Big Little World Sanstha, Pune, Sarjerao Tuvar of Pasayadan Sanstha, Sachin Khedkar of Uchal Foundation and Karan Tambe of Ajol Parivar Sanstha. The youths were able to hear a range f approaches as Mrs Shubhangi Koparkar interviewed the guests followed by opportunities for further questions and answers.

Special guest, Pune-based corporate expert Nitin Mehendale spoke on how to turn friends into activists and educate the community. We also welcomed Dr Ajit Kanitkar, Dr Mahendrabhai Sethia and Dr Saugandh Deshmukh of Gyanprabodhini Sanstha, Pune who shared the importance of taking small leaps based on thoughts immediately. You cannot wait for the right situation and the right time as they may never come, you need to change your life and activate compassion in your mind as soon as it enters it. They advised all to take action as soon as inspiration strikes.

As a youth himself when he started Snehalaya, Girish Kulkarni always offers huge inspiration to those wishing to follow in his footsteps to be the change they wish to see. He took part in two group discussions, 'Search for Inspirations' and 'Swami Vivekananda, Mahatama Gandhi and Dr Ambedkar who I admire' as well as sharing the overall spirit of Snehalaya. His partner in our journey, Dr Prajakta Kulkarni also guided campers on stress self-regulation in the session 'Moving towards Mental Health'.

A highlight for all was the chance to join our Udaan, anti-child marriage project on their outreach work. The campers split into teams to visit five villages to raise awareness of child marriage laws and survey the communities understanding of the laws and rights of children in preventing child marriage. To do this, they conducted family visits and surveys and presented street plays.

To encourage the campers to fully immerse themselves we insisted on banning mobiles devices for the full ten days. Thanks to a packed schedule, from 6 am to 10 pm daily, the campers unanimously agreed that they were not bored for a single moment and they did not miss their mobile phones at all. This was very clear to see as their energy never waned and they were obviously inspired with many questions for all guests, speakers, staff and each other.

All participants agreed they had truly come to know themselves by taking part and are taking a huge treasure trove of ideas away with them. Helping run the camp were former youth volunteers and this year’s batch also expressed their desire to join as representatives in future camps.

The camp concluded with a certificate distribution and thanks to all involved with promises that this was just the start of the journey for these special 40 young people. Follow up sessions are already in planning and we look forward to seeing where they take their experience for the betterment of us all.