Bhubaneswar, June 16: Youths across the state are gradually taking up the responsibility of community welfare through various social and cultural initiatives.
They are starting many projects to improve the social, environmental and cultural scenario of their native areas.
Tennis player Chinmay Pradhan has started Chocolate Group, an organisation, at Mendhasal on the city outskirts, where he holds practice sessions for young students.
Pradhan facilitates students' participation at various state-level competitions and keeps them updated about various cultural festivals taking place across the state. "A number of local youths take a lot of interest in art, dance and music, but they do not have the right resources to take part in them. So, I took the initiative to help them get proper exposure," said Pradhan.
Some local students took part in a number of cultural festivals, including the Anjali Children's Festival. Some of them have also bagged prizes in many art competitions.
"There are so many cultural events that take place in the city on a regular basis. We try to provide them with the necessary information, so they can come forward and take part. I also try to connect them to non-profit organisations that take them on trips through their various projects," said Pradhan.
He also acts as a mentor to a number of young kids, who are interested in playing tennis at the academy. "They have an eagerness to learn and get involved in sports. So, I try to train them with the limited knowledge that I have, during my free time," Pradhan said.
A few of his students have already taken part in many tennis tournaments. Pradhan also aims to involve people from the sports fraternity to start such initiatives in their respective areas.
Another group of youths from Sundargarh are trying to increase the popularity of their district by promoting its tourism prospects. Their group - Pixels, Sundargarh - consists of 13 persons, including students, entrepreneurs and professionals from various walks of life.
With all the members being passionate about photography, the group has created a Facebook page, where they post pictures taken at various locations of the district.
"We want to promote the tourism prospects of our district. It will be possible only when more people will be made aware of the cultural vibrancy of the district," said Anurag Mohanty, a student of NIT, Rourkela, and also a member of the group.
The group has been organising a photography exhibition since the past two years on the Independence Day at the district civic centre, inviting young photographers to showcase their skills. At present, they are working on a documentary that would capture the beauty of Sundargarh.
Two youths from the city - Akshaya Kumar Rautray and Satabdi Mishra - run a project called Walking Bookfairs that promotes reading among children and adults. They hold small book fairs in the rural areas of the state.
"We targeted the people at the grassroots level as it is important that good books reach even the remotest village of the state. We are engaging them in fun activities and explaining the importance of reading for pleasure among teachers and parents," said Akshaya. They had recently been on a 15-day tour across the state on a van that had been customised into a mini-library.
A social worker said such initiatives would go a long way in helping the society. "It is good that the younger generations are coming forward to make the world a better place. It would develop their attitude towards life," said Naba Kishore Pujari, a social activist working for child rights.
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/1150617/jsp/odisha/story_26074.jsp#.WFzCglN950w
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