Tibetan Youths participate in the Annual National Youth Conference 2016
‘Let’s Make A Difference’ (LMAD) is a National Annual Youth Conference organized by ‘Initiatives of Change’ at Asia Plateau, Panchgani every year. Asia Plateau has been conducting this conference since 1995 for young people between the age group of 16 -30 and for a duration of eight days (1-8, June 2016) every year.
Since 2008, Empowering the Vision Project has been supporting the participation of Tibetan university students in this National Youth Conference. This year too ENVISION facilitated the participation of ten Tibetan participants along with our staff Tenzing Migmar as the coordinator joining them.
The Venue of the conference is amidst pristine and quiet surroundings organized as such so to connect one with the nature and environment around. There were greenery all around and one could certainly feel nostalgic about the place soon after leaving. The tranquillity of the place evoked blissful emotions that one could pen poetry just being there a few moments. There is a lot of emphasis on eco-friendly and sustainable culture at the campus.
1st-8th June– National Youth Conference 2016
The Conference started with the registration of participants and submission of pre-workshop survey on 1st June afternoon with everyone reaching the campus in Panchgani. 120 Students/Youth from across the country and of different backgrounds had come to participate in the Conference. The survey was kept anonymous so that the participants could fill information honestly and to the best of their knowledge without any hesitance. This was followed by group allocation and introduction of coordinators. Groups were named Harmony, Happiness, Discipline, Development, Governance, in tune to the surroundings and the objective of the Conference. Throughout the eight-day conference, Group Discussions and interactions played an important role in encouraging personal sharing and bo
nd building amongst the participants. Sharing of experiences by group coordinators added to the charm of opening up to one another. Community service – at the mess before and after meals, dormitory cleaning, and clearing of debris/litter from the common areas – and other group services during the conference that each participant was responsible for help build teamwork and accountability and also sense of dignity of labour.
Participants were introduced to ‘Quiet Time’- introspection through inner voice after the morning exercise and it was “the best time in the day to listen to our inner voice and write down our thoughts” . An amused Sherab Gaphel – Second Year Hansraj College Delhi – felt the Quiet Time session helped him realize the importance of practising quiet time every day in his life and believed it gave him the courage to follow his heart.
Participants were introduced to the four fundamental principles of Initiatives of Change: Purity, Honesty, Unselfishness and love (PHUL). Many participants came and shared their ‘quiet time’ emotions/realization to the gathering. Few broke down while sharing their personal experience, it was a moment of solidarity with one another, of the journeys each of us take in life… good and bad.
The conclusion arrived at was that everything begins with a realization and a strong will to follow the right path, however the journey of practicing absolutes ‘is always a learning process’, everyone felt that.
Documentary films were also part of learning during the course of the conference to increase people’s awareness about global warming and sustainable living. The evenings were scheduled such that there was a brief moment for ‘Time of Silence’ whereby participants could relax by listening to soothing music such as Om Mani Padme Hung or OMM before they proceeded for dinner.
The World Environment day was also celebrated on 5th day of the Conference – 5th June. Eminent environmentalist Mr.Dhaval Patel, founder of Vidyanagar Nature Club, India spoke on inclusive community based environmental programs. These he said can be wildlife conservation through research, sustainable education programs at grass root levels and schools, close to nature hobby development efforts and programs for reducing pollution, eco-friendly drives, and tree plantation programs.
Mr.Patel’s talk was followed by another inspiring talk by Major DP Singh, India’s first blade runner. He not only survived the lethal blast of a mortar shell while fighting insurgents on India’s border but is now onto another fight against disability. He is spreading awareness and raising funds for differently abled people by running marathons and also won Limca book of record in 2011 for his feats.
‘Power of One’ was one of the most inspiring sessions the participants were engaged in. There were inspiring resource persons who shared stories of their struggle to bring change in society and all unique individuals who dared to dream beyond the convention fighting different odds against them. Mr.Sunil Yadav, one of the highly educated streets cleaner who holds four degrees and has waged a war against the system that belittles and ostracises. He spoke on the session ‘how power of one’ can bring changes in the society. For generations Yadav family has worked as manual scavengers and he took over his father at BMC but despite the hardship, Mr Yadav didn’t give up. He funded his own education while simultaneously working at the municipal body. His message to us was never give up under any circumstances.
It was a moment of great pride for the Tibetan students when one of them Norbu Lhagyal was selected as one of the Star Performers from amongst the 120 participants. Tibetan students performed a group song Hum Hain Vikasi and a Tibetan song during the Closing Ceremony that was applauded by all.
At the end of the Conference, participants were asked to sign a pledge to not waste electricity, water, foods and money and mandated to self-penalize by practicing Satya Graha if the violate the pledge. Everyone took it as a personal motto to do their best in preserving and concerning our collective and natural resources.
The Tibetan students had made friends for life with their Indian participant
s and many of them promised to be in touch and learn from each other. Everyone left the Conference with an unbridled enthusiasm and hope to be change agents for personal as well as collective goals. The Tibetan students too left the Conference as leaders and some with a new realisation of being the best they can.
Tenzin Rigdol, Final year BA, Hans Raj college summarised it well saying, “To be honest, I didn’t like the LMAD Conference initially and wanted to leave but as the conference progressed, I begun to appreciate its motives and objectives. I was an aimless person with lack of clarity and vision in life but after the conference, I think I have become more responsible.”
“LMAD taught me how to solve problems and challenges effortlessly. I feel empowered, confident and focused with what I want to achieve in my life ahead”, said Tenzin Choewang, Second year B.Ed., Kerala.