Inspire India, a non-profit organisation with a mission to shape social change, has launched a mass character development campaign for rural and urban youth.
In a time when education has become increasingly career-driven, when schools and colleges increasingly churn out degree-holders and social consciousness has taken a backseat, the campaign seeks to imbibe values, social, moral and ethical, among the younger generation.
Social activist and danseuse Mallika Sarabhai launched the campaign, Tapas, here in Hyderabad.
The aim of education must be the formation of character and not just acquisition of knowledge, said Raju Ravitej, founder and chairman, Inspire India, explaining the idea behind the initiative.
Spread over six months, Tapas would be a 16-hour programme for youth aged between 13 and 21 years. “Children go through a turbulent time between 13 and 20 years. It is a tough time for them when they need to search for an identity. It is the age when they need a caring adult,” said Mr. Ravitej.
“We need upright and humane individuals who fight against injustice,” felt Ms. Sarabhai.
Commenting on the country's huge human resources, she further said, “I do not think our nuclear programme will make us shine. Our values, our goodness and humaneness, which no other country will have, will stand us in good stead.”
Coming at no cost to either the student or the educational institute, the programme includes skill development and educational development training, and personal and social leadership training.
All participants would also have to work on a community project. While skill development would enhance them with choice-making skills and communication skills, educational development would develop a sense of purpose in life and how to set goals in studies and life, it was stated.
Students who display commitment will be groomed in the leadership programme. Inspire India is looking to groom about 30,000 students of the 1 lakh target it has set for itself. It has already tied up with 1,500 educational institutions in the State.
