At an event for Mumbai's youth, Prasoon Joshi and Nana Patekar will discuss their vision for the nation
Volunteers participated in a competition recently, where they painted the walls of Arthur Road Jail. The winners will be announced at the event
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In a society plagued with corruption, crimes against women and a growing disregard for ethics, one way of expressing displeasure is by posting articulate rants on social media. Alternatively, one could choose to understand the Right to Information, take it to communities with limited literacy levels; work with colleges to sensitise youngsters against eve teasing and sexual harassment at workplace; or start even younger by helping schoolchildren understand their responsibilities towards the nation - something that the Public Concern for Governance Trust (PCGT) has been doing in Mumbai and Pune for the last 14 years.
Founded in April 2002 by retired IPS officer Julio Ribeiro, the late IAS officer BG Deshmukh and leading pediatrician Dr RK Anand, the trust's main objective is to increase public participation and activism towards creating a more transparent and efficient governance system. "We started with the idea of protecting honest public officers from being hounded by the government, which we continue to do. But we also decided to take our project of eliminating corruption to the common man. If people can't come to us, we go to them," shares Ribeiro.
Julio Ribeiro, Nana Patekar and Prasoon Joshi
The trust undertakes various activities throughout the year, many of which involve college students as interns and volunteers. As culmination of this work, the Youth for Governance arm of PCGT organises an annual event, where well-known faces are invited, who not only connect with youth but also inspire them by personal example. This year's guests are Prasoon Joshi and Nana Patekar, who will be in conversation on their idea of India. "The theme for the discussion was chosen by our student volunteers. While Mr Patekar is known for his great acting skills, he has also been working extensively with farmers. For the young listeners, it helps that he doesn't mince his words," says Dr Ratna Magotra, a city-based pediatric cardiac surgeon and a PCGT trustee, who conceptualised the event.
"Mr Joshi's lyrics for Rang De Basanti and Taare Zameen Par have inspired many young people. He has also been actively involved with women's empowerment through his poems for the Nirbhaya incident, and our women athletes at the Rio Olympics," she adds.
The line-up for the evening also includes performances by the Happy Home & School for the Blind Choir, sand artist Nitish Bharti and Indie Routes band.
"All our activities for the youth are geared towards reinforcing the fact that it's possible to be ethical and successful at the same time," concludes Dr Magotra.
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