Moulding minds

Away from all politics Indian Youth Forum IYF is a body that is firm on standing for youth. The forum officially came into existence on September 25 and wishes to not only address the problems faced by the youth but also pledges to bring back the misguided youth on to the right track.

Emphasising on the non-political character of the forum, Noordin Somji, vice-president, IYF, says, 8220;We stand for youth and not any particular political party so all our effort would be to safeguard them and help them emerge as an eligible flag bearer of the society and realise their responsibilities. For this we have to first involve the new generation people in the socially relevant activities so that they become aware of their surroundings and then they can act to make it better.8221;

The forum not only plans to take up issues that bother the present generation but it will also address the problems that society suffers from.

To begin with, they had organised a cycle rally with a message 8212; Clean Pune Green Pune. Giving the information, Praful Kothari, secretary, IYF says, they want to promote cycle riding, which is an answer to rising pollution. 8220;Bicycle not only keeps the environment clean but also promises a good health. So why not use bicycle, which is good for all, instead of motor-bikes,8221; he suggests.

The forum is going to organise a seminar where youth would be taught how to behave with policemen. 8220;Having increasing number of complaints against the youth misbehaving or not cooperating with the police, we have decided to organise this meet where both young lot and policemen would be present and discuss their problems,8221; informs Kothari. This would be followed by a peace march on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2.

Next event on their priority list is the forthcoming Commonwealth Youth Games CYG. 8220;As the name goes it is youth games and therefore must witness a greater participation of youngsters in the city. We have therefore planned participation of our members during the games, for which we have taken due permission from the organising committee. After CYG they would keep the membership of the forum open for all,8221; he adds.

Two big issues that would be taken up by the forum on a large scale is 8212; refusal to admission of kids in schools because of parents8217; academic background and unbecoming dressing sense of students in colleges.

Coming onto the admission issue that the forum wishes to raise, Kothari says that it is seen that kids are denied admission in renowned schools because of their parents8217; limited or poor academic background. So the forum has decided to raise voice against such practice that denies education to the deserving candidates. 8220;Though it is banned by the central government, but some school take parents8217; interview and if parents are not able to clear it the child, no matter how intelligent he or she is, denied admission. So we would see to it that no such injustice is done.8221;

The body has also been very actively generating funds for the Bihar flood victims and they also plans to take up other relevant issues.