Skip to main content

From Vision to Action: Young India Network's Grassroots Pulse on Youth Policy – A Visit to Sanwar School, Udaipur

This International Youth Day 2025, let us recommit to listening to local voices, investing in school ecosystems, and delivering on the promises we make to young people.

By: Chetan Suwalka | Young India Network for Good health | Nada India Foundation
Date of Visit: July 28, 2025
Location: Govt. Sr. Secondary School, Sanwar, Udaipur District, Rajasthan

Discovery – Listening to the Ground

Every year on August 12th, the world celebrates International Youth Day, recognizing the courage, leadership, and contributions of young people. In 2025, the spotlight is on local youth action—how young changemakers are transforming global goals into real, grassroots solutions.

As part of my role as a local convener under the Nada Young India Network for Good Health and Nada India Foundation, I visited Govt. Sr. Secondary School, Sanwar to understand how youth policies are being experienced and enacted at the school and community level. The school presented a mixed picture.

On a positive note, lush greenery and active Youth & Eco Club initiatives reflected strong environmental consciousness and creative student engagement. The school has organized students into five thematic groups named after the elements—Prithvi, Jal, Vayu, Agni, and Aakash—to foster identity and participation.

The Youth & Eco Club is a flagship program mandated by the Government of Rajasthan to promote youth development and engagement in schools. It is compulsory for all senior secondary schools and is intended to act as a platform for youth expression and eco-leadership.

However, significant challenges remain. The Principal’s position has been vacant for four years, there are serious staff shortages, and the school has been without a Physical Education (PE) teacher for five years. These gaps highlight a clear disconnect between youth policy and the human and structural resources necessary for its meaningful implementation.

🌈 Dream – Imagining What Could Be

Imagine a school where every student is seen as a potential youth leader—where NSS, NCC, and NYK programs thrive, and teachers are empowered and well-supported. Envision a well-funded Youth & Eco Club, supported by trained school social workers, local mentors, and health advocates, actively promoting wellness, leadership, and resilience.

Picture a system where annual audits—both social and structural—are conducted to ensure student safety, and where community engagement is an integral part of school governance.

This vision is not far-fetched—it reflects the aspirations of India's youth, echoing the very spirit of International Youth Day 2025.

🛠️ Design – Crafting the Change

In appreciative dialogue with Vice Principal Rajendra Kunwar and Youth & Eco Club in-charge Ms. Raksha Jain, the following needs and opportunities emerged:

  • Youth and Eco Clubs are promising platforms but need more recognition, resources, and trained facilitators.

  • The annual budget of ₹15,000 for youth development is grossly inadequate. Even a modest increase could significantly support initiatives such as the Healthy Campus Campaign led by Nada India Foundation and NAPSWI.

  • A gap persists between policy and practice—community audits, youth-led monitoring, and tools like Shaladarpan must be better utilized.

  • Establishing a local Circle of Hope & Well-Being Club or an ActOn Youth Forum can bridge the gap between youth policy and lived experience, especially in rural and tribal regions.

📦 Deliverables – Walking the Talk

As a local convener of the Young India Network for Good Health, I propose the following action steps:

  • Share these findings with district education authorities and stakeholders working on youth policy.

  • Advocate for the appointment of a Principal and PE teacher as a top priority.

  • Facilitate a local youth dialogue involving students (in and out of school), panchayat representatives, teachers, and community leaders focused on youth leadership and the Healthy Campus mission.

  • Map nearby NSS/NCC/NYK programs to create partnerships for dropout youth and bridge the gaps in leadership training.

  • Connect Youth & Eco Club members with Nada India’s Peer-Based Leadership Framework for training and mentoring.

  • Promote understanding of youth development budgeting, encouraging joint advocacy through youth networks and peer forums.

✊ Conclusion – Youth Policy is Local Policy

My visit to Sanwar reaffirmed a vital truth: policy isn’t just made in Delhi—it is lived in schools like Sanwar. For India’s youth policy to truly succeed, we must begin where young people discover, dream, design, and deliver.

Local youth action is not optional—it is essential for building a healthier, safer, and more equitable India.

This International Youth Day 2025, let us renew our commitment to listening to local voices on 12th August 2025, investing in school and community ecosystems, and delivering on the promises of the National Education Policy 2020.

#Youth4TobaccoFreeIndia #InternationalYouthDay2025 #YoungIndiaNetwork #HealthyCampus #YouthPolicyAssessment #NadaIndiaFoundation #NAPSWI #SchoolSocialWork #PeerLeadership #GrassrootsLeadership #NEP2020


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ban alcohol advertising and products: NGOs

India News By IANS, New Delhi: A new report by a group of NGOs Tuesday highlighted the ill-effects of advertising and marketing of alcohol on young people, and proposed a comprehensive ban on all kinds of marketing strategies that seek to portray drinking as normal. "To reduce alcohol consumption, it is very important that the governments enforce a comprehensive ban on all kinds of advertising of alcohol brands and products. "A separate government agency should be formed to monitor this ban," said the report titled "Alcohol Marketing and Regulatory Policy Environment in India" released here. The report was developed by the Public Health Foundation of India in collaboration with Delhi-based NGO Hriday and Swedish National Institute of Public Health. Monika Arora, director of the health promotions unit of Public Health Foundation of India blamed advertising for promoting the use of alcohol among youth. "It has been seen that children wh...
1 comment
Read more

Bollywood Actor Challenges Liquor Legislation

Bollywood Actor Challenges Liquor Legislation NTDTV In an effort to discourage youngsters from consuming alcohol, the provincial government of India 's western Maharashtra state this June increased the legal age limit from 21 to 25. Khan calls this act of state government an infringement of individual ... < http://english.ntdtv.com/ntd t v_en/news_asia/2011-09-15/bol l ywood-actor-challenges-liquor - legislation.html >
Post a Comment
Read more

Family is exposed to second-hand smoke that adds to their indoor pollution, a risk factor for NCDs says Suneel

Suneel Vatsyayan says " In our society, tobacco is comparatively more acceptable, affordable, and available"   Vinnie, Nada Health Advocate   Vinnie Choudhry is a student of management, pursuing her MBA from IIM Bangalore. She graduated in Economics from the University of Delhi. She has been associated with Nada India Foundation since her school days where she participated in a Pehchaan Radio club Show which waconducted to raise drug awareness amongst young people.  The following interview was conducted on phone with  Mr. Suneel Vatsyayan, founder of Nada India Foundation, which has been working for prevention of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs and non-communicable diseases for 20 years now. The organisation has been instrumental in rehabilitating the lives of several families whose members were caught in the web of addiction. Vinnie - Sir, Thanks for getting on call with us. Can you tell us about how you decided about setting up Nada India Founda...
Post a Comment
Read more