Fighting to effect change

Parivartan, founded after the 26/11u00a0 Mumbai attacks, works in the political sphere and seeks to help in governance
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Bringing about changes in the societyu00a0 and impacting its current circumstances in a meaningful way is what this group tries to achieve. It's apt, then, that members of this group call it Parivartan.

Parivartan was formed after the 26/11 terrorist attack on Mumbai by four youngsters who were all college students at that time. The founding members were Indraneel Sadarge, Tanmay Kanitkar, Rishikesh Karve and a fourth member, who is no longer associated with the group.

We caught up with Parivartan member Eeshanpriya M S (20) who is doing TYBA at Fergusson College, "The groupu00a0 was started after the blast when we felt that we wanted to do something positive, but withoutu00a0 any anger or aggression. I joined them a week after they were formed. The group officially came into existence in December 2008." This group works in the political sphere of society and also concerns itself with the governance of the city.

The aim was "to improve governance". A fact that founder member Indraneel (22) also pointed out. "Rather than passive peace marches or candle walks, which actually led to nothing u00e2u0080u0093 we wanted to do something substantial that would impact governance."

Eeshanpriya said, "In the beginning we started withu00a0u00a0 campaigns to spread awareness on certain issues, like voting for instance. Just before the Lok Sabha elections, we arrangedu00a0 a Seminar where eminent speakers like Arun Bhatia and Yamaji Malkar spoke on various issues."

This campaign was taken to other colleges and also to places where students hang out. "Besides, we made use of publicity material like posters andu00a0 banners. We even stood at traffic signalsu00a0 to spread the word, " she said.

Then, in their own way, they also took part in the Participatory Budget activities taking their belief that they can get involved in the governance of the country forward. "In the PMC, the wards are given Rs 25 lakh every year for development and citizens are allowed to participate and suggest what work has to be done. We helped the PMC in the process --u00a0like filling up forms and short-listing tasks suggested so that action could be taken," Eeshanpriyau00a0 explained.