Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan, Mumbai’s Yuva Department’s Navmaharashtra Yuva Abhiyan is active in the field of youth development for the last 19 years. From 2005, Hon. Supriya Sule is working as its Convenor. Navmaharashtra Yuva Abhiyan is having different programs for the development of youth in the entire state. The details of it are as follows:

1) Maharashtra’s Youth Policy
Even after completing 50 years, Maharashtra State’s Sports and Youth Welfare Ministry did not announce Youth policy. Taking cognizance of this, Hon. Supriya Sule made a demand in 2009 in this regard to announce State’s Youth policy. Not only a demand was made in this regard, but an ideal draft was prepared after interacting with more than 10 thousand youth across the state, 35 organizations in the State and the expert related to youth field and this draft was submitted to State’s Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Sports and Youth Welfare Minister. The State Government immediately took cognizance of this demand and thereby announced a Governmental Committee. A draft in this regard is prepared. The State’s Finance as well as Deputy Chief Minister allocated funds of 25 crores for Youth and Sports Policy in the budget of 2011. This can be said as a big victory of this movement.

2) “Abhisaran”
Youth “Abhisaran” is an inter-State Youth Exchange Program. Currently, there are talks about pride of Maharashtra, pride of Marathi, but what does pride exactly mean? How it should be accepted? This was a matter of confusion in today’s youth. Hence for showing this pride for Maharashtra and Marathi, the youth today is using the means of violence. During this period with a motive that the Youth understands the pride of Maharashtra in a larger perspective, there was a need to show the culture of Maharashtra regionally. Unless today’s youth does not understand Maharashtra by different angles, till then it cannot be said that the youth in Maharashtra have understood its pride. Hence under the guidance of Navmaharashtra Yuva Abhiyan’s Convenor Hon. Supriya Sule “Abhisaran” is arranged.

3) “Yuvati Mahotsav”
For creating awareness amongst the girls between the age group of 13 to 15 about education, mental and physical health, “Yuvati Mahotsav” is organized. The duration of “Yuvati Mahotsav” is of two weeks. Different stalls of various games and plays are arranged for the girls in this program. Through these games, these young girls are guided about health, sexual education, decision of choosing life partner, choosing career and entertainment. Also there is a program of interaction and interviews of such women from the State who have excelled in different fields. Also films giving knowledge about different topics are shown during the “Mahotsav”. The theme of the Mahotsav is such which would enhance the leadership qualities amongst the young girls.

4) Vision Career Fair
With the aspect that the rural youth in the 10-12th Std get knowledge of different career paths after 10-12th, about higher studies, for building better communication between students and parents about career options, to overcome stress of studies and depression caused due to failure and to provide career options to failed students, for providing guidance and counseling, Nav Maharashtra Yuva Abhiyan under the guidance of its Convenor Hon. Supriya Sule arranges a education fair and educational lecture series named Vision Career Fair every year in selected districts of Maharashtra. The normal duration of this Career Fair is of three days. National and internationally known educational Institutions, different universities, career related institutes participate in this exhibition. Also a lecture of various experts is arranged for giving guidance to the students in the lecture series. Through Vision Career Fair thousands of students staying in rural and semi-urban areas are given guidance of choosing career options and about higher studies.

5) Yuva Swatantraya Jyot Rally
For last five years, Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishtan, Mumbai’s Nav Maharashtra Yuva Abhiyan initiates Yuva Swatantraya Jyot Rally in important cities of the State. This rally is organized one day before Independence Day i.e on 14th August at midnight. The aim of this rally is to develop a sense of respect towards independence in the minds of youth. Abiding by the direction of Supreme Court no loud speaker or DJ is used in this rally. Since the aim of this rally is national unity no religious slogans are shouted in this rally. The rally is generally started from a central point of the city. The rally is concluded by reading the ordinance of Indian Independence and by singing National Anthem.

6) State level Youth, Youth Sports & Special Youth awards
For giving encouragement to the Youth in Maharashtra, Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishtan, Mumbai, Nav Maharashtra Yuva Abhiyan felicitates youth who have done excellent social work and two outstanding sportsmen youth, by giving State-level Youth Award (one male and one female youth) and for Youth Sports (One male and one female youth). This activity has been started since 1998 and the award includes Rs. 11,000 cash, trophy and certificate for both the types of awards. Also, Yashwantrao Chavan State level award felicitates one youth (male/female any) for outstanding sports achievement. The award includes Rs. 51,000 cash, trophy and certificate.

For more details visit: www.navmaharashtra.org