If you’ve recently seen a grimy, forgotten corner in the city turn spotless, brightly painted in red and white, you probably have Youth For Parivarthan to thank. With a battalion of student volunteers, the organization conducts “Parivarthan Drives”, where pre-identified spots in the city are scrubbed clean and re-painted.
“People usually complain about what is wrong, but nobody comes forward to make it right. Stop complaining, start acting. That should be our motto,” believes Amith Amarnath. The 21-year-old law student from Christ University is the founder and president of Youth for Parivarthan (YFP). The organization was created almost a year ago, and since then, has cleaned up many areas across the city.
When asked about his inspiration, Amith explains that he did not need any. “I feel that one doesn't need an inspiration to serve society, after all it’s our city! Of late, everyone just looks after their house and their family without thinking about the community at large. This is where my friends and I wanted to make a difference.”
A badly-maintained children’s park in his locality spurred him into action. With the help of a few friends, the organization was registered, and the park was transformed. “We received an overwhelming response and appreciation for our work and many people wanted to join us in our activities. Even on Facebook, we got thousands of likes! Social media worked magic for us, it gave us a platform to showcase our work and to grow our network.”
Eleven months later, more than 750 young people have signed up to participate in the drives. The spot-fix in Banashankari 2nd Stage, where they cleared an open drain that had been blocked with garbage and installed seats, is one of their most significant achievements.
Amith believes that everyone can contribute to the cause. “Of course people can volunteer or donate. But that isn’t all. Simply maintaining a spot once we’ve cleaned it or even just not littering. That’s a contribution too.” He also hopes to see more initiatives from people his age. “We need to do something other than blaming someone else for their inaction,” he says.
Being a college student, Amith admits that it is difficult to find a balance between academics and community service sometimes. “Our events are on the weekends, so that isn’t a problem. But it does get hectic, especially during exams. But once you learn to manage your time, it isn’t difficult at all. Most of us don’t do anything productive on our weekends anyway, so it’s better that we utilize that time for a good cause.”
Besides organizing 27 spot-fixes all over the city, the organization has also conducted a march on Martyr’s Day and a walkathon to raise awareness about eye donation. They hope to play a major role in transforming the city and restoring its “garden city” status.
So, next time you see a pile of garbage, a broken-down pavement, or even a defaced flyover, you know whom to call. Or better yet, maybe you’ll grab a pair of gloves and join in!
