Journey in progress

Mohammad Ghasletwala, 30-year-old software professional who is a facilitator of Jagriti Yatra from Pune, says, "Jagriti Yatra is about empowering individuals. We want to inculcate a spirit of enterprise among the young talented minds of the country and contribute to the future of India. Our aim is to convert job seekers into generators of employment themselves through their entrepreneurial initiative-be it social or business. Hence the train journey and the meeting with people who dared to be different."

So on anvil there are meetings with luminaries like Bunker Roy, Kiran Bedi and R K Pachauri and visits to remarkable institutions-places where success stories were born- in 13 cities and towns.

The project managers are also currently seeking sponsorships from corporate houses, trusts and foundations and individuals to fund the deserving candidates the cost of participating in the journey that will span over 7000 kms.

"The project has been receiving a steady trickle of stellar young participants from Pune," informs Ghasletwala. Rewati Prabhu, a Jagriti Yatra board member and head of Selection from Pune, adds, "The yatra has had a significant response from Pune and the numbers are growing everyday. Pune has a curiously potent legacy of social commitment (since Phule, Agarkar, Karve etc.) and business enterprise (including Bajaj, Kalyani, Kirloskar etc.) which is reflected in the essays of the Pune applicants." The final selections will be announced on our website, shortly.

The participants for the journey will consist of 80 per cent Indian participants and 20 per cent global participants.

After the inspiring journey that will help the youngsters witness India in all its majesty, the volunteers hope that the talent pool will be inspired to bring about a positive change to India's future.

Gitanjali B Bhattacharya, the mind behind this initiative was part of the Azad Bharat Rail Yatra in 1997. She remembers standing before the imposing steel plant in Tatanagar before a giant wall painted with the slogan - Will to work, Will to win - highlighted in the roseate hue of sunset and realising what a testimony to India's shining past and future that was. It strengthened her resolve to do everything she could to contribute to India and its development.

"The aim of the project," Bhattacharya says, "is also to make this a sustainable annual event and building the alumni network by following the progress of participants. We also want to have an online networking community to keep in touch with students." The network created will also offer mentoring to individuals who are looking for practical guidance, in line with the guru- shishya ethos of India.

The current number of those enrolled being around 100, the 40 facilitators of Jagriti Yatra project are still searching for bright, talented participants as they are looking at an intake of 400 participants. These will be chosen from a talent pool from across cities, towns and rural districts of India and selected on the basis of their entrepreneurial spirit and their desire to contribute towards building India's future. There will be a strict recruitment process, which will involve resume evaluation, an essay and a telephonic interview conducted by individuals appointed by the selection committee. There will also be 50 facilitators on the train to moderate discussions amongst other responsibilities.