Championing Change - Student Led Activism & Social Justice

"DRIPPING WATER HOLLOWS OUT STONE NOT THROUGH FORCE BUT THROUGH PERSISTENCE ."

Swami Vivekananda once averred that life is short , vanities of world are transient but they alone live who live for others. How true ! The ideal of service ranks as the highest amongst all ideals. The spirit to serve , the spirit to care and the spirit to effect constructive change brings succour to the suffering millions. Our youth , our students play a significant role as drivers of this monumental change.

Brimming with infinite energy , vitality, vigour, idealism, health, intellect and empathy, our students set out to be the instruments of justice and change. Peppered with a freshness of perspective and strength and a zeal to back it up, the youngster's quest for a positive change paves the way for much required social transformation.

The impact of our students' initiative is far reaching and all encompassing. Beginning with awareness of climate change scenarios  and environmental consciousness, youngsters sensitize their immediate families, peer and the neighbourhood about adopting environment friendly life practices. From saying no to plastics to reduce, reuse,  recycle, students are leading the charge. When it comes to educational equity, gender, racial  and community equality, the younger generation has a voice of its own. They are vocal about equality in rights and opportunities for growth that all sections of society progress and prosper. As the young generation challenges the unproductive orthodoxy and ills of the system,  social and systematic justice is ensured. Human history bears  testimony to the fact that when the young have spoken, the voice is heard and societies change for the better.

This activism , interestingly, may take myriad  forms. In  point of fact, it is a fallacy to equate activism with non violence and disruptive agitation. Poetry, articles,  journals, posters, workshops, theatre, public dialogue, social media etc. - there is no dearth of expression to raise your voice. But, it is important to strike a note of caution here. Our students need to ensure that their voice assumes a responsible role . They need to become the medium of  true, honest,  peaceful and  constructive protests leaving room for a healthy dialogue and interchange of ideas to find solutions. Our students must find ways to avoid being tools of disruption and violence in this advocacy of social change. This whole process  is not to become a battle of egos where personal ulterior motives take the garb of altruism and social responsibility. The ideal of service, the very life of stream of activism, is not to be forgotten and lost sight of.