The particularity of this event is that it acts along the whole
process of engagement. To me, 10 elements made this event so special, 10
elements that every event organizer should keep in mind when organizing
an event aiming at engaging young people:
1. A clear vision, « I know why I’m here »
The purpose of this unique event is to turn participants from job seekers to job creators, to inspire young Indians to lead development by taking to enterprise. These solutions have to be holistic, sustainable, non-governmental, complementary, collaborative, inclusive and replicable, to enable an “oil-patch development” and solve India’s most urgent challenges.
Students, employees or entrepreneurs; urban or rural; engineers, business or politicians; Indians or international, we represent both a great diversity and unity. We are all here for the same reasons: discover the « real India », understand the social entrepreneurship model, meet new « changemakers » friends, shape our ideas and dreams. Each of us is dreaming of a career with impact. Questioning the old-fashioned models, we were marginalized in our surroundings, companies or schools. Here we are a force of 450 young enthusiasts. Dreamers and doers.
.
3. A sense of responsibility, « I have a role to play »
This is a unique opportunity – the experience of a lifetime – to get into the Jagriti Yatra, but also a responsibility. Everyone will have to bring about change in his or her community after the event. Shashank Mani, founder of Jagriti Yatra, is clear during the induction session the first day: « The country is watching, the country is waiting ». He adds: « The Jagriti Yatra is a wake-up call to build the country! »
.
4. A unique esprit de corps, « Let’s go together!”
Uh, yes but… No, no time to hesitate, it’snow the time of the « Yaaron Chalo » anthem, which means « Let’s go friends! ». This is THE symbol of Jagriti Yatra, composed by one of the greatest Bollywood composers. In this song, it is no question of « bloody flag » or « ferocious soldiers » (reference to the Marseille), only of being the change we want to see in the world. Every time I replay this « Yaaron Chalo », it gives me chills, and I remember both my responsibility and this shared energy that unites us.
(Video of the song at the end of the article)
« Yaaron Chalo » in Mumbai, the first day of the Jagriti Yatra. (Credits : Jagriti Yatra)
.
5. Interact with amazing social entrepreneurs, « What if I were like them? “
The tour is punctuated by role models visits. But not random role models. If social entrepreneurs – who take personal risks to solve society’s most pressing needs – are the heroes of the 21st century, those of Jagriti Yatra are superheroes. From the mythic Aravind Eye Care, to the inevitable Barefoot College, through Goonj or Naandi, all of these organizations have been created by social entrepreneurs who haven’t been afraid of challenging the status quo and now impact the lives of millions of people. Visionary, inspiring, accessible, how can’t you aspire to be like them?
To know more about them, click here to see a Diaporama of some of greatest changemakers of our century.
.
6. A demystification of entrepreneurship, « What if it was for me?”
With remarkable proximity, each and every role model took the time to speak about the difficulties and joys of being a social entrepreneur, as well as the key reasons of their success. Quite fast, it appeared that being an entrepreneur is not that complicated: you “just” need to find a good idea, to focus on it, to build a good team, to show your passion… and money will come! It is worth remembering that all these great changemakers began very small, some in a garage, others with a few rupees… Aravind Eye Care – whose hospitals have realized 32 million cataract operations in 36 years – began very humbly, with 11 beds…
.
7. Develop empathy on the ground, “This is the problem that moves me!”
Education, agriculture, water, health, energy, manufacturing, new technologies, the tour gives a good overview of the major Indian economic and social challenges. 40% of Indians do not have access to energy, 45% of the most malnourished children in the world are Indians … But having key figures – understanding a problem at the intellectual level – does not make you act!
A social entrepreneur needs a moment of indignation, she/he needs to feel an injustice…! Through field visits and experiential learning, people develop empathy. I will always remember this visit of a Montessori school in the slums of Patna, which gives free remedial courses for ragpickers children… and seeing at the end of the visit in the street a 6 or 7 year-old child, barefoot, wearing dozens of kilos of waste on his back. A lot is already done, but a lot still needs to be done. Emotion makes you move.
Discovering the real India. (Credits : Arul Anand Sura)
.
8. A call to action, « Let’s develop solutions for real »
After the inspiration and moment of indignation, place to the immersion and action. In early January, we spent two days in a remote village in Uttar Pradesh to develop social enterprise prototypes. Teams were formed based on the needs in the region and our interests. Google sponsored the competition, and the winners are now returning to the village to test their idea by launching pilots.
And this exercise has an impact: it leads to social entreprises creation, I can testify. With Jonas from Destination Changemakers, we currently work in Delhi with Ashmeet Kapoor (Yatri 2010), founder of I Say Organic, who has launched his social venture after this business plan competition…
.
9. An inner journey, « This is how I want to have an impact »
In the end, all the ideas will not be implemented, of course. But most importantly is to have changed ourselves, to see more precisely how to contribute and to become entrepreneur of our own life. These 15 days have been a 15-day journey exploring our own dreams, desires and talents, trying to cross them with societal needs. The first day of the adventure, Colonel Suresh Patil, a famous Indian army colonel told us: « I want to congratulate all of you, because you are making history… in your life.”
.
10. A fun thus unforgettable experience, « I’m part of the family »
If you want to build a movement, build something fun. Makesense has understood it since its beginning, for example. This event will be unforgettable, because it was improbable. Spending 15 days and 15 nights at 7 in a 6m2, transforming train seats in a improvised shower, experiencing a New Year’s Eve at 400 in a wagon… When you multiply the emotional effect by the intensity of the experience, you will get a timeless souvenir. Each of us will remember this « Awakening Journey » throughout his/her life and will remember his/her dreams and promises shaped at this time.
.
In the end, I came out with three main ideas:
Yaaron Chalo!
1. A clear vision, « I know why I’m here »
The purpose of this unique event is to turn participants from job seekers to job creators, to inspire young Indians to lead development by taking to enterprise. These solutions have to be holistic, sustainable, non-governmental, complementary, collaborative, inclusive and replicable, to enable an “oil-patch development” and solve India’s most urgent challenges.
.
2. A collective emulation, « I’m not alone »Students, employees or entrepreneurs; urban or rural; engineers, business or politicians; Indians or international, we represent both a great diversity and unity. We are all here for the same reasons: discover the « real India », understand the social entrepreneurship model, meet new « changemakers » friends, shape our ideas and dreams. Each of us is dreaming of a career with impact. Questioning the old-fashioned models, we were marginalized in our surroundings, companies or schools. Here we are a force of 450 young enthusiasts. Dreamers and doers.
3. A sense of responsibility, « I have a role to play »
This is a unique opportunity – the experience of a lifetime – to get into the Jagriti Yatra, but also a responsibility. Everyone will have to bring about change in his or her community after the event. Shashank Mani, founder of Jagriti Yatra, is clear during the induction session the first day: « The country is watching, the country is waiting ». He adds: « The Jagriti Yatra is a wake-up call to build the country! »
.
4. A unique esprit de corps, « Let’s go together!”
Uh, yes but… No, no time to hesitate, it’snow the time of the « Yaaron Chalo » anthem, which means « Let’s go friends! ». This is THE symbol of Jagriti Yatra, composed by one of the greatest Bollywood composers. In this song, it is no question of « bloody flag » or « ferocious soldiers » (reference to the Marseille), only of being the change we want to see in the world. Every time I replay this « Yaaron Chalo », it gives me chills, and I remember both my responsibility and this shared energy that unites us.
(Video of the song at the end of the article)
« Yaaron Chalo » in Mumbai, the first day of the Jagriti Yatra. (Credits : Jagriti Yatra) 5. Interact with amazing social entrepreneurs, « What if I were like them? “
The tour is punctuated by role models visits. But not random role models. If social entrepreneurs – who take personal risks to solve society’s most pressing needs – are the heroes of the 21st century, those of Jagriti Yatra are superheroes. From the mythic Aravind Eye Care, to the inevitable Barefoot College, through Goonj or Naandi, all of these organizations have been created by social entrepreneurs who haven’t been afraid of challenging the status quo and now impact the lives of millions of people. Visionary, inspiring, accessible, how can’t you aspire to be like them?
To know more about them, click here to see a Diaporama of some of greatest changemakers of our century.
.
6. A demystification of entrepreneurship, « What if it was for me?”
With remarkable proximity, each and every role model took the time to speak about the difficulties and joys of being a social entrepreneur, as well as the key reasons of their success. Quite fast, it appeared that being an entrepreneur is not that complicated: you “just” need to find a good idea, to focus on it, to build a good team, to show your passion… and money will come! It is worth remembering that all these great changemakers began very small, some in a garage, others with a few rupees… Aravind Eye Care – whose hospitals have realized 32 million cataract operations in 36 years – began very humbly, with 11 beds…
.
7. Develop empathy on the ground, “This is the problem that moves me!”
Education, agriculture, water, health, energy, manufacturing, new technologies, the tour gives a good overview of the major Indian economic and social challenges. 40% of Indians do not have access to energy, 45% of the most malnourished children in the world are Indians … But having key figures – understanding a problem at the intellectual level – does not make you act!
A social entrepreneur needs a moment of indignation, she/he needs to feel an injustice…! Through field visits and experiential learning, people develop empathy. I will always remember this visit of a Montessori school in the slums of Patna, which gives free remedial courses for ragpickers children… and seeing at the end of the visit in the street a 6 or 7 year-old child, barefoot, wearing dozens of kilos of waste on his back. A lot is already done, but a lot still needs to be done. Emotion makes you move.
Discovering the real India. (Credits : Arul Anand Sura) 8. A call to action, « Let’s develop solutions for real »
After the inspiration and moment of indignation, place to the immersion and action. In early January, we spent two days in a remote village in Uttar Pradesh to develop social enterprise prototypes. Teams were formed based on the needs in the region and our interests. Google sponsored the competition, and the winners are now returning to the village to test their idea by launching pilots.
And this exercise has an impact: it leads to social entreprises creation, I can testify. With Jonas from Destination Changemakers, we currently work in Delhi with Ashmeet Kapoor (Yatri 2010), founder of I Say Organic, who has launched his social venture after this business plan competition…
.
9. An inner journey, « This is how I want to have an impact »
In the end, all the ideas will not be implemented, of course. But most importantly is to have changed ourselves, to see more precisely how to contribute and to become entrepreneur of our own life. These 15 days have been a 15-day journey exploring our own dreams, desires and talents, trying to cross them with societal needs. The first day of the adventure, Colonel Suresh Patil, a famous Indian army colonel told us: « I want to congratulate all of you, because you are making history… in your life.”
.
10. A fun thus unforgettable experience, « I’m part of the family »
If you want to build a movement, build something fun. Makesense has understood it since its beginning, for example. This event will be unforgettable, because it was improbable. Spending 15 days and 15 nights at 7 in a 6m2, transforming train seats in a improvised shower, experiencing a New Year’s Eve at 400 in a wagon… When you multiply the emotional effect by the intensity of the experience, you will get a timeless souvenir. Each of us will remember this « Awakening Journey » throughout his/her life and will remember his/her dreams and promises shaped at this time.
.
In the end, I came out with three main ideas:
- Firstly, the impossible is temporary. Changemakers can radically change the game in a sector thanks to their courage, creativity, perseverance and passion.
- Then, we need more committed men and women! As Anshu Gupta, founder of Goonj, beautifully said: « The world does not need thinkers anymore, it needs DOERS ». We speak more and more about « Corporate Social Responsibility », why don’t we speak about » Individuals Social Responsibility »?
- Finally, our education does not prepare us to become changemakers. Educating obsolete theories in a classroom is from another century. It is high time we reinvent education to make it more practical, more creative, more collaborative, more inspiring, more responsible.
Yaaron Chalo!
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