Fifth Edition of Jagriti Yatra, Sponsored by Dell India, to Kick Off on 24 December: Registrations Open
The fifth edition of Jagriti Rail Yatra, popularly called Jagriti Yatra, will commence on December 24 this year and meander through 13 important locations (at each location, the yatris will meet a role model). The yatra will come to an end on January 8, 2013. The yatra started four years back to “build India through enterprise by awakening the spirit of entrepreneurship among the youth of the nation, particularly from smaller towns and villages.” The yatris who will traverse the length and breadth of India in a train journey over 9000 kilometres will be carefully chosen 450 young people in the age group of 20 to 25 years.The press release issued by the organizers says: “The train stops at 13 locations to personally meet exceptional change-makers who are transforming India. These ‘real heroes’ are champions of change in multiple fields and have showcased sustained success with high social impact: Aravind Eye Care (Madurai), Anshu Gupta (Goonj, Delhi), Bunker Roy (Barefoot College, Tiloniya, Rajasthan), Joe Madiath (Gram Vikas, Orrissa), Narayana Murthy (Infosys, Bangalore), Elaben Bhat (SEWA, Ahmedabad) and R. Elango (Kuthambakkam Model Village, Chennai) are a few among others.”
The participants are chosen from entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs as well (the criterion is the participant should be between 20 and 25 years of age). The organizers clarify that the 18 days will be spent in the train by both men and women and there are separate bogies for men and women. Volunteers will be in the “bridging coaches” between men and women coaches. Women’s safety is ensured through security arrangements consisting of women security personnel. One woman yatri who participated last year has this to say: “As a woman participant, at no time did I feel unsafe or threatened. It is incredible that after being together on the train for just 1-2 days such a spirit of camaraderie develops that everyone looks out for each other and is willing to go out of their way to help each other.”
The participants will be chosen by a set of questions that they need to answer. It is a subjective evaluation of the raw entrepreneurial potential within a candidate by a selection panel of 20 experts. The Facilitators are further judged on their professional experience and ability to coordinate and manage youth activities. Sponsorships are available for low income applicants.
The registration for the Yatra is open and can be accessed here . Highly motivated and entrepreneurial youth in the age group 20-25 as yatris and experienced professionals above 25 years of age as facilitators are invited to apply for the Yatra.
