Social and Rural Development: Gaining Popularity as a Career Path Among Kolkata's Youth

Jadavpur University & SBI Youth for India organized a seminar for awareness of the social development sector in the country.

SBI Foundation invites students and working professionals for 12th Batch of Youth for India Fellowship program in rural development.

SBI Foundation & Jadavpur University organized a seminar to raise awareness of the social development sector in the country. Akshay Modi (YFI 2017-18), an alumnus of the SBI Youth for India Fellowship program delivered a talk on how youth from Kolkata are contributing to social development at the grassroots and can facilitate rural development by collaborating with regional communities working in the villages. The seminar was attended by students, professors, and social sector aspirants who want a direction in taking a step forward in the social sector.

Speaking at the seminar, the Youth for India alumnus exemplified how, during his Fellowship with YFI, he impacted the lives of the rural communities through his projects in self-governance, Renewable Energy, and the Setting up of the library. He encouraged youth to explore thematic areas such as Health, Rural Livelihood, Food Security, Environmental Protection, Education, Water, Technology, Women's Empowerment, Self-Governance, Social Entrepreneurship, Traditional Craft, and Alternate Energy to gain knowledge and develop skills required to be the changemakers. Some of these areas are aligned with India's national priorities.

The SBI YFI, through its various youth-led interventions, has impacted over 150,000 lives in 250+ villages across 20 states in the country over more than 13 years. It is currently accepting applications for the 12th batch of YFI through https://youthforindia.org/register in its pursuit to place informed women and men to facilitate development planning at the village level and link plans with available resources.

The seminar by SBI Youth for India duly emphasized that urban-educated youth possess the necessary skill set and education to devise unique solutions to challenging situations and foster sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth at the country's grassroots level. This will build capacity and empower local communities to take ownership of development initiatives.

The social development sector in India faces several challenges in reaching out to rural communities while engaging youth in their development. Some of the rural challenges include limited Infrastructure, language, and cultural barriers, limited resources, lack of awareness, resistance to change, and gender inequality, to name a few. To address these challenges, social development organizations need to adopt innovative approaches, build partnerships with local organizations and community leaders, and work towards building trust with the community.

ABOUT YOUTH FOR INDIA

Inspired by US 'PeaceCorps', the SBI Youth for India Fellowship is the SBI Foundation's uniquely designed 13-month Fellowship program that was founded in 2011. The Fellowship provides a framework for talented youth to join hands with rural communities, empathize with their struggles, and connect with their aspirations. In over 13 years, 10 batches of 580+ Alumni have paved the way for development with youth-led interventions.

For more information visit: www.youthforindia.org/register

For more information, please contact:

Shikha Chawla: 9899466039, [email protected]

Atul: 9968807709, [email protected]