MERA YUVA BHARAT (MY BHARAT)
1. Context
After the passage of the Women’s reservation Bill last month, the government has launched an initiative to tap into a big constituencythe 40-crore youth population—ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet approved the establishment of an autonomous body called Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) for “youth-led development and to provide equitable access to the youth”
2. What is Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)?
Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) is an autonomous body established by the Government of India in October 2023 to promote youth development and leadership.
It is a whole-of-government platform that aims to provide young people with access to resources, opportunities, and support to achieve their full potential.
MY Bharat is open to all young people in India aged 15-29 years. It offers a variety of programs and services, including:
- Leadership development programs
- Skill development training
- Entrepreneurship support
- Mentoring and coaching
- Volunteering and community service opportunities
- Access to information and resources on a variety of topics, such as education, employment, health, and social issues
The primary objective of MY Bharat is to make it a government platform for youth development.
It seeks to harness the immense youth energy for nation-building. Under MY Bharat, youth would become community change agents and nation builders by acting as the Yuva Setu between the Government and the citizens.
3. Benefits of Mera Yuva Bharat
In case of programme components specifically meant for the adolescents, the beneficiaries will be in the age-group of 10-19 years.
The establishment of Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) would lead to:
1. Leadership Development in the Youth:
-Improve the leadership skills through experiential learning by shifting from isolated physical interaction to programmatic skills.
-Investing more in youth to make them social innovators, leaders in the communities.
-Setting the focus of the Government on Youth Led development and to make the Youth “active drivers” of development and not merely “passive recipients”.
2. Better alignment between youth aspirations and community needs.
3. Enhanced efficiency through Convergence of existing programmes.
4. Act as a one stop shop for young people and Ministries.
5. Create a centralized youth data base.
6. Improved two-way communication to connect youth government initiatives and activities of other stakeholder that engage with youth.
7. Ensuring accessibility by creating a phygital ecosystem.
The establishment of Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) would lead to:
1. Leadership Development in the Youth:
-Improve the leadership skills through experiential learning by shifting from isolated physical interaction to programmatic skills.
-Investing more in youth to make them social innovators, leaders in the communities.
-Setting the focus of the Government on Youth Led development and to make the Youth “active drivers” of development and not merely “passive recipients”.
2. Better alignment between youth aspirations and community needs.
3. Enhanced efficiency through Convergence of existing programmes.
4. Act as a one stop shop for young people and Ministries.
5. Create a centralized youth data base.
6. Improved two-way communication to connect youth government initiatives and activities of other stakeholder that engage with youth.
7. Ensuring accessibility by creating a phygital ecosystem.
4. Drawbacks
- MY Bharat is a new initiative, and many young people may not be aware of it. This could limit its reach and impact.
- MY Bharat is a complex initiative that involves the coordination of multiple government agencies and other stakeholders. It is possible that there could be challenges in implementing the initiative effectively.
- MY Bharat is a long-term initiative, and it is important to ensure that it is sustainable. This means securing adequate funding and resources.
- It is important to ensure that MY Bharat is inclusive and accessible to all young people, regardless of their background or circumstances. This could be a challenge, given India's vast size and diversity
5. What is an autonomous body?
- An autonomous body, also known as an autonomous organization or institution, is an entity that operates independently with a degree of self-governance and authority, typically under the umbrella of a government or a larger parent organization.
- Autonomous bodies are established to carry out specific functions, tasks, or services with a level of independence from direct day-to-day government control, enabling them to operate more efficiently and effectively in their designated areas.
- Autonomous bodies often have their own governing bodies, boards, or councils that are responsible for making decisions related to their operations, policies, and objectives. These bodies may have a degree of independence from direct government interference.
- They often have control over their budgets and financial resources, allowing them to manage their finances independently and allocate funds as needed to fulfill their missions.
- Autonomous bodies are typically established to carry out specific functions or provide specialized services, such as education, healthcare, research, cultural activities, or regulatory oversight
- They are usually created by legislation or through a legal framework that defines their powers, responsibilities, and governance structure.
6.Way forward
MY Bharat is a promising initiative with the potential to make a significant contribution to youth development in India. However, it is important to be aware of the potential drawbacks and challenges that the initiative could face. It is also important to monitor and evaluate the initiative over time to ensure that it is meeting the needs of young people and contributing to their development
Source: indianexpress
