The National Chairman of YI (Young Indians), Srikantan Suryanarayan from Kochi, is all set to represent the organisation at this year’s G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance Summit (G20 YEA Summit) in Moscow, scheduled on June 15-17. He is ecstatic. “It’s a privilege and an honour,” he says explaining that Yi is an integral part of CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) and was formed with an objective of engaging the youth in nation building.
Yi was born ten years ago after CII think tanks felt the need for a body whose core purpose would be to involve the Gen Next into nation building. “We started as eight chapters in the four Metro cities and in Kochi, Pune, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Today there are 28 chapters across 19 States,” says Srikantan.
He sums up Yi’s two prime achievements in the last 10 years - one of turning ten and the other of acquiring an international reputation.
“Yi is an apolitical organisation made up of members from diverse backgrounds. It survives purely on the fact that members gain confidence about their country after learning about its different aspects. Personally, the thought that I am doing something for the country is immensely satisfying,” he says
The second point that Srikantan elaborates is one he inferred after being part of Yi delegation at international forums. He says that internationally there is no parallel to Yi. Many countries have expressed interest in forming a body like the Yi. BRICS is in process of forming an alliance with Yi.
“By 2020, 60 per cent of India’s population will be below the age of 30. No other country is getting as young as India. The youth will be playing a dominant role in shaping the future of the country. The outside world is looking towards us especially in areas of skilled labour and entrepreneurship. It puts us in a position of responsibility and leadership,” says Srikantan looking forward to representing the Young Indians in all their strength at the upcoming G20 Summit.
As for future plans the Yi is aiming at increasing its base in North East and in States of Jharkhand and Uttarakhand and of inducting volunteers to carry forward the dream of young Indians.
