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Is your child a creative soul constantly thinking up new ideas? Consider the possibility that your child could be a Young Change Maker!
As a two year old, my son had remarked on the unending amount of garbage strewn all over the countryside, markets and homes. It was a moment of truth for us that a toddler who is just learning the ways of the world could perceive the problem of garbage and wanted a solution to it.
Today, I see him picking up litter and putting it in the bin, asking strangers to do the same and even ticking them off for throwing garbage and being irresponsible. It is never too early to take a step.
“The child is the father of the man”– famous words by William Wordsworth in his poem, My Heart Leaps Up; a wise man, I say! We see the world changing through the eyes of our children, feel the energy as they take charge and take on the world. These lines have been never more relevant than in today’s changing environment.
As parents we see that spark, that talent, that something special in our child. We are the first ones to recognize that our child is someone special and we want to nurture it. Every day, we are blessed with an opportunity to recognize that spark, a chance to guide and propel our child towards a better, happier and healthier future.
Every day, we are blessed with an opportunity to recognize that spark, a chance to guide and propel our child towards a better, happier and healthier future.
This future is not all about the material benefits either. We may sometimes feel that by giving our children all the material benefits, we are providing them the best; but is it really the case?
I believe that providing your child with a stable environment, good manners, positive attitude and a thirst to learn, do good; in actions and deeds, and be the change we want to see in our society are equally important.
The Happy India initiative aims to provide a platform for Young Change Makers who will not only talk but actually ‘walk the talk’.
Its aim is to provide a platform for young change makers like your child, who are bursting with ideas and would love to take them forward.
Your child, your genius, the bright spark can be a part of this initiative and add her/his fire to this project. Happy India will see participation from over 20,000 students from over 500 schools across 15 cities.
We need to make them our ‘Agents For Change’ and groom them, guide them and show them the way to lead change. You child is too young, you say? You may well be surprised!
The first step is therefore to help your child submit his/her idea. If Happy India has not reached your school (your child’s school) as yet, just mail your school details to [email protected]. Currently, students in the age group of 11 to 16 years old can participate as a team, from schools based in Mumbai, Nashik, Baroda, Surat, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Ajmer, Bhubaneshwar, Bhopal, Lucknow, Varanasi, Kanpur, Hyderabad, Vizag and Vijaywada are eligible to participate.
This is a lovely opportunity for the young minds who will identify social issues that bother all of us and will present ideas on how you plan to solve these issues. Happy India in turn, will support the 25 best ‘ideas for change’ with a grant of INR 50,000 each enabling your young change maker to create the change he or she dreams of.
The 25 best ideas for change will also be mentored by industry stalwarts – innovators, social scientists and authors during the entire implementation phase.
The top 25 projects will also be printed in the ‘Young Change Maker’ compendium, inspiring future change.
Find the passion you felt as a child, when you thought anything was possible; it still is! How we guide and channel our children and their initiatives can bring about a sea change in our country.
“Catch them young, watch them grow”, and this idea of improving and working for a better life will become a way of life for the next generation.
This post is supported by India First Life Insurance, and the India First team is available to answer any additional questions you may have about participation at [email protected].
Happy India is a CSR initiative of IndiaFirst Life and is not connected to any insurance sale. For further information about the company log onto www.indiafirstlife.com
Child image via Shutterstock
Freelance Fiction and non-fiction editor, author and book bee. Also a blogger and a
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