How can we empower educated rural youth to create better society tomorrow?

Hello Friends

I always think what Mr. CK Prahlad had said in his recent book "The Fortune at the bottom of the pyramid". Now what is this pyramid? Who lives at the bottom? How are we connected? How we can make a difference? How we can take advantage of this situation?

All these questions started bothering me for quite some time now. He also said, 4 billion people are living under $2 per day. Now if we start exploring the enormous opportunities available around us and use of this resource pool - then only sky is the limit.

Now, 20% of 4billion lives in our own country. May 1% from our own village or town or our own neighborhood. How do we reach them? How can we empower them to lead a significant life? How can we develop them so that they can be part of this developing nation and make it a developed nation. They are the future.

I am just speaking out loud: Can we setup education / literacy centres in every district which imparts only those skills which are essential for any person from the above pool to lead a good. The training may include, basic education, life skills, basic language skills, etiquette, vocational training such as any job oriented courses etc. The challenge may also come from Roti/Kapda/Makaan. How do we help them in this context. Unless you meet these basic needs, he/she may not continue further with us.

However, this exercise cannot be a one time affair. It has to be long term, self sustained and continuous learning process. For this, the team which initiates the project may not be in a position to spend their entire time on project and one location as this is going to be a nation wide initiative. For this, a structure has to be evolved, check points have to be defined, progress have to be monitored and ultimately results must be measurable.

To make this happen, every one has to support whole heartedly for the benefit of entire society not just their village or town or locality. Important players in the whole process will be Government, Private parties, Companies, Individuals, Local Chapter leaders and the beneficiaries themselves.

You can share your thought about this posting

Jai Hind

Shyam S Mantha
Founder Trustee
August 16, 2008