.....and thus they spake!

 ‘Nothing about them – without them!’ It is only through hearing what young people themselves have to say and working together with them is when we can work out the solutions that are effective and help to bring about the cohesive and inclusive society for which we all aspire for our state, country and world at large.

Young people have always highlighted how being able to participate in democratic life and being listened to is important to their acceptance as equal citizens. And hence Rotary Club of Guwahati organised this programme on 28^th of September, the theme of which was Celebrate the Spirit of the New Generation.   

Young people spoke extensively about the India they want to see in 2020. Maybe just a couple of years to go but like one of the judges Dhruba Hazarika, Secretary, Tourism said, “I could feel only positive vibes when all the children got up to speak. However, if one has the passion for one’s country, then mere words grow wings to take on a magical connotation.” Likewise, Dr. Tondra Borbora enthused the young minds with words relevant of a communicator par excellence.

Every time we listen with an open heart to what our children have to say, we know that it is for their future that we do so. We intend to leave behind a legacy that they will be proud of. And this we have to do so with sincerity, otherwise unbeknown to us. They will see through our intentions very soon if perchance we dare to even put up a false show.

And show they did. Their intentions were clear. They wanted a world where they could think clearly and for them to achieve, they wanted a present dappled with the many hues of the rainbow in which they would ride to the ends of the Universe.

When the Chief Guest, the General Manager of State Bank of India, Local head Office, Mr. Mahendra Aditya Sahu got up to speak, he spoke soothing, comforting words asking the young people to hold onto their thoughts and dreams which should by all means be positive and constructive.

And why shouldn’t they be positive? They knew they could achieve anything they wanted, if only they were given the right platform to do so and an ambience for healthy growth.

The event of five and a half hours was speckled with performances by young people who thought uniquely of their talents and creativity. And we thought we had to work on them? Not the children of today. Their performances were painted in an artistic ethnic diversity, which spoke all the more of their immense sense of pride for their lineage. If we take a young boy or a girl dressed in the most outrageous of clothing, we would only be making the worst folly by being judgemental about them. Deep within the undeniably “obnoxious and strangely” shocking dispositions, are cocooned young, innocent hearts craving to be loved. And we have to in our own special way, try and touch this longing, to show them the way.

Our efforts to raise the spirits of these young people and put them on a pedestal came sooner than we thought when within the programme itself, we were fairly competent in honouring young achievers who have carved a niche for themselves; people who have dared to think differently and not follow the crowd but to lead it.

As I called out the names of these eleven young achievers, my heart thumped with a satisfaction and a strangely happy feeling. Rotary Club of Guwahati might be making a small effort to enrich their lives with the recognition but hopefully, they will take this effort to a totally new level, making us proud of the choices we made. A panel of in-house judges from the club itself chose from amongst several entries for this coveted honour.

1.Debashish Dutta- Ace chess-player who represented India in the Commonwealth Games

2.Queen Hazarika- Singer, actor, spiritualist

3.Mayank Taparia-Ideator, Education Specialist, Social Activist

4.Mallika Buragohain-Fashion Photographer

5.Ranjan Engti-Pop artist, Ideator, Social activist

6.Dulu Bora-Nature conservationist

7.Syed Miraz Ahmed-Poet, Journalist, Environmental activist

8.DJ Pulse-DJ and Music-Teacher

9.Kamal K. Kakati-Fashion Photo journalist

10. Rupam Bhuyan-Lead Vocalist, Singer

And the fervour reached its peak when Manish Deka added further to the excitement as he narrated about his climb to the Everest. Likewise, Rhituraj Phukan spoke lucidly about his trip to the Antarctic. 

As the programme evolved, it got all the more interesting as young people took centre-stage to belt out some very interesting songs and dances flavoured with ethnicity, indigenous to the Northeastern region. Every person present this day went home with a feeling of contentment and enthusiastic urge to do more....more, not only for themselves alone but for the impoverished and the downtrodden, who could but do a little more in realising their long-cherished dreams, with the love that they so desperately need and wish they had.

All pictures in this blog page taken by Rtn. Syed Mohsin Raza. Thank you so much!