Hyderabad|India|October'2009: The first of its kind ‘Youth Assembly of India ’ will be held in city with an aim to sensitize youth towards community service and social entrepreneurship. It will be held at Satyasai Nigamagamam, Srinagar Colony, Hyderabad on 11th and 12th October, 2009. About 1500 youth from various colleges and universities across India are expected to participate.

Mr. N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Hon. Speaker A.P. Legislative Assembly will inaugurate the meet.

Padma Bhushan Sri. Anna Hazare, Social Worker; Swami Agnivesh, President World Council of Arya Samaj, Social Activist; Maulana Mahmood Madani, Member of Parliament, Leader Jamiat - Ulema- i- Hind; Mr. Jayaprakash Narayan, MLA & Founder Lok Satta Party; Mr. J.M. Lyngdoh, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India; Padmashri Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayanth - Dancer; Dr. K.S. Ratnakar - Chairman – Global Medical Education & Research Centre; Mrs. Karuna Gopal - President Foundation for Futuristic Cities; Mr. Raja - Actor; Mr. Syed Sultan Ahmed - Founder Activity India; Mrs. Ashish Garg , Asia Regional Coordinator - Global e - Schools and communities; Mrs. Kanthi Kannan - Founder Right to Walk; Mrs. Christine Lazares - MLA; Mr. Sateesh Andra - Venture Capitalist; Mr. Sridhar Muppidi - Founder Education for Free will grace the two day event and address the youth delegates informed R. Prabhakar Rao Retd. D.G.P. of A.P who is the Chairperson, Governing Body — Abhyasa Residential Public School and also Chairperson Youth Assembly of India addressing a press conference in city. Several youth and achievers are also expected to participate in the Assembly.

The two-day Youth Assembly is a conglomeration of youngsters who wish to make a difference to their world, informs Vinayak Kalletla, Founder Principal, Abhyasa Residential Public School , the organizers. The entry to the Assembly is free.

There will be panel discussions on “Youth Led Transformation or Youth need Transformation?” and “Youth Involvement - Opportunities and Perspectives” and other topics. Youth Projects will be presented. The projects consist of social service activities taken up by youth NGOs and students of various colleges and schools across India . At the end of the two day meet Youth Excellence Awards will be given away for Outstanding Projects in the “Celebrating Service Contest”. “The three most outstanding three projects will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 50,000, 30,000 and 20,000 respectively. The winners will be selected based on their projects presentation in the Youth Assembly.

The Concept of Youth Assembly on the lines of UN Youth Assembly started when the United Nations Youth Assembly had recognized the community service undertaken by Abhyasa students, in Toopran village and chose our student Mr. Chaitanya for the Youth Excellence Award at the United Nations youth assembly in August 2007 informed Vinayak. During our participation at the United Nations Youth Assembly at New York, in August 2007, we were inspired to interact with youth who were making a great difference not only in their communities, but also in the remote villages of Africa. In contrast, we realized that community services lack visibility in our Indian universities. Inspite of a few inspired youngsters coming forward, there is a huge gap that needs to be bridged to involve the youth who constitute about half of India’s population – into social responsibility he added.

Speaking further he stated that the Youth Assembly is a conglomeration of youngsters who discuss issues related to global warming, poverty, corruption, human values, universal education etc. and also sensitize their peers who are not part of the same to follow suit. The first Youth Assembly held in September 2008 was an instant hit. And made its mark among the youth of Hyderabad. A couple of youth NGOs for service sprang up in Hyderabad as a result of the first youth assembly. They have undertaken service projects in Hyderabad and will be showcasing them in the second youth assembly. We hope to continue to inspire many more youth into social responsibility in this assembly as well.

The assembly is being organized by Abhyasa Residential Public School along with Passionate, a NGO. Youth is the hope of the nation, we are more concerned about their future. But, what about their ‘today’. Almost all of us think of their future. Nobody is worried about their ‘present’. They are the mighty force. Let us make use of their ‘today’ to make their tomorrow more better for them and us. Half of the population is youth. They are hard working. They are smartness and brains. They are also very good at community service. The fact that sixty per cent of blood donors in this country comprise of youth has proved that they are socially concerned, said Vinayak.

Mr. R. Prabhakar Rao, informed that the Youth Assembly is the platform which enables each participants to explore possibilities to make a difference to the world by being an aware and active citizen and confronting the challenges of the present.

Master Chaitanya, Founder Secretary, Passionate informed that the highlight of the meet is the participation of several celebrated achievers from the field of administration, sports, media, entertainment, social activities and social entrepreneurs. They will be sharing their success stories and initiating panel discussion to inspire the youth and student participants.

Community service and social entrepreneurship must be inculcated among the generation next. They are not less than any best of the best social workers in the country. Youth and community service, none can beat them. They have the power and zeal. They too have responsibility towards their society, social fabric. Let us not undermine their social awareness and concerns. But, what they lack is the proper motivation, opportunity, avenues and initiatives. The Youth Assembly is one such an event which will draw youth attention into community service. Let us all be part of it and make a difference to the society.