GAINING KNOWLEDGE IS NOT IMPORTANT. GAINING THE RIGHT KNOWLEDGE IS IMPORTANT.

All of 21, Sushant Sharma is the next "celebrity" we have featured on our blog. Yes! Indeed a celebrity, a social entrepreneur, a Radio jockey, an actor, a crooner, a great Video jockey and someone who wants to bring change in the society with his initiative YOUTH BRIGADE- Youth With A Difference

Presently he is pursuing his English Honors from DAV College, sector 10, Chandigarh. He is that sort of a person who wants to sensitize people in making correct choices and make them understand that what they are doing is correct.

•  WHY CHANGE?

Our first question was a basic one. He replies with a very straight forward answer, that change is a necessity of life. Our thought process needs to evolve, we just cannot set back and watch things take their own course. there has to be a transition even though its gradual but it has to be there. He gives the example of NAV-SANKALP, the social organisation of his college, DAV College, Chandigarh. He states that, "Last year the NAV-SANKALP people just had Rs. 20,000 as their budget but now this year their budget is Rs. 60,000, and that has happened because of the change and the transition. According to Sushant, change is necessary as well as mandatory to sensitize people and make them aware.

• /.WHAT IS YOUR INITIATIVE ABOUT? WHAT IS YOUTH BRIGADE-YOUTH WITH A DIFFERENCE?

Putting it in normal layman terms, Sushant says that, 'YOUTH BRIGADE' is a platform to bring local superheroes on board. YOUTH BRIGADE makes its own superstars and these stars are just some local people in the crowd BUT with  a passion to follow, a change to strive for a vision to bring a transition. YOUTH BRIGADE brings these very stars who follow their interests and turn their passion into profession.

Youth Brigade features such people at our doorstep, they feature the best of the youth in the weekly Youtube series.

         

(9th Episode "Youth Brigade" Youth With A Difference featuring Angad Cheema)

Not just episodes, 'Youth Brigade- Youth With A Difference' also organizes several social events throughout the year some of the major highlights are:-

1) CLEANER GEHRI ROUTE HAS CLEANER HEARTS. - a cleanliness drive launched under the initiative of Youth Brigade, to clean up the garbage on the "so called" porsche areas of Chandigarh, (popularly called THE GEHRI ROUTE)

2) YOUTH CONCLAVE- A platform to discuss, express, debate and come up with solutions. the people FEATURED in the episodes of Youth Brigade interacted with the people NOT FEATURED on the episodes.

that's why Youth Brigade showcase those who are different and those who strive for a change.

And a few more and still counting.....

You can watch all the other episodes of Youth Brigade on the YOUTUBE channel INFOTAINMENT.

And you can also follow Youth Brigade's Facebook page for further inputs and events.

• THERE ARE ALWAYS UPS AND DOWNS IN SUCH A KIND OF VENTURE OR SUCH  KIND OF SOCIAL ACTIVISM. HAVE YOU ALSO PERSONALLY DEALT WITH SOME CRITICISM IN THE PAST?

Criticism is a part and parcel of anybody's life who is following his heart and following his passion. And it always

starts with your own home ground, your parents, your family.
Sushant says that your parents will always ask only two questions whenever you tell them about what you love and that you want to pursue it :
1) WHAT ARE THE MONETARY BENEFITS AND WHAT RETURN WILL YOU GET OUT OF THIS.?
2) HOW WILL THIS HELP YOU TO BUILD YOUR FUTURE.?
Every passionate individual has to face this circumstance in his/her life at some point or the other. Sushant suggests that we should just keep going and do what we love. One day people will understand. You have to prove yourself first. You have to always keep your interest and passion intact.
When Sushant first started Radio Jockeying, he had to face a lot of criticism and many ups and downs but gradually his work started speaking itself and people started realizing that if you love anything and do that with dedication, then it is not just work, it becomes much more than that. IT'S YOUR LIFE.

• WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS from the "SO CALLED" MODERN SOCIETY OF THE 21ST CENTURY?

Sushant expects a LIBERAL ATTITUDE from the people especially the youth. An attitude which helps them to make correct decisions.
If the same youth can stand up for Anna Hazare and if the same youth can go to Delhi and protest against Damini's brutal rape, then definitely people understand that their mindsets change only when such situations trigger their souls. Why cannot it be like this all the time and why wait for such instances. Sushant chips in by saying that what needs to be done is similar to moral policing and sensitization of the society. He states that during the Cleanliness Drive, the volunteers who had turned up were cleaning and picking up garbage so whole-heartily and with great dedication. That he felt, as if, for one day, they truly have developed themselves to become proper mature adults understanding the responsibility we have as citizens of a country like India. And that one day has to be turned into a whole lifetime dedicated to your passion and bring about a radical change in the society.

• DOES COMPANY MATTER? AS IN BEING WITH A RIGHT PERSON OR  A GROUP OF LIKE MINDED INDIVIDUALS? HOW DOES THAT HAVE AN IMPACT ON WHAT YOU DO AND WHAT YOU LOVE TO DO?

"HAMESHA BHELPURI BANAO." Always make a mixed dish and not just any simple dish.
 Having the correct type of company is circumstantial because art is different from logic. In pragmatism 2+2 = 4, but in creativity 2+2 = 5 or 6. So Sushant tells that people with like minded interests, creative ideas should be together. Because at the end of the day you will have an edge as so many different perspective and views will be in your mind. And artists not only discuss their interests but also issues related to society, politics, economy, sports, movie masala and everything else.
At the age of 17, Sushant had a vision of such a program and this type of a platform. So he started being with those people whom he thought are the local superheroes of the local crowd and are passionate about what they do in their own different outlooks.

• IS INDIA TRULY DEMOCRATIC?

He give a very practical answer replying in the affirmative. Yes, we are democratic in making our choices but sometimes we take these choices for granted and don't concentrate on the fact that whether these choices are correct or wrong. According to him, whenever we feel that we are doing wrong, we should stop right there and then. There is no harm in backing out from a thing which is deemed to take a wrong turn.
There has to be liberty among the individuals also, both personal and social. Then only we can call ourselves proud Indians. But he feels amazingly blessed to have been born in a country like India where every 15 kilometers diversification of cultures takes place. Languages change. Attire changes.
To have a better country you need to have better individuals. For example during college elections, for gaining maximum support, party leaders send chocolates, sweets, movie tickets etc to girls dorm rooms. But in the end if they don't turn up for voting then all that promotion goes into a waste. Thus for a change you have to vote and strive for it.
We are truly democratic till that point when we have the right knowledge and right education. If we know about our fundamental rights and duties and when and how to exercise them, then we can call ourselves true patriots.
GAINING KNOWLEDGE IS NOT IMPORTANT, GAINING THE RIGHT KNOWLEDGE IS IMPORTANT.!

• THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN THE CRIME RATES AGAINST WOMEN RECENTLY. WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON THAT?

Sushant answers it by turning this question into another question. He asks, what are we actually sad about, the Damini  rape case or that, this was really a heinous form of crime. Because if its just rape then rapes occur everyday throughout the country. Why not protest against them also? Or that it was really a torture of worst form against women. Then why just going to Delhi and protesting make a difference. Raise a voice against the fiend so that stringent laws can be passed.

We have to understand our demeaning social structure because the problem is not with a girl wearing inappropriate clothes, the problem is with our mindset. How we see it?

This is the point where the aspect of awareness and sensitizing the youth comes into the picture. We have to make them aware and that can only be done by tackling the situation from the grass root level. According to Sushant being emotional and being sensitive are two different things. We have to be sensitive about the issue, lets not take it to an emotional level.

So he come back again on the same measure that what needs to be done is sensitization of the people and making them aware about the correct knowledge and how to grasp it.

• MOST OF THESE VENTURES, THESE EVENTS ARE SHORT LIVED. THAT IS, PEOPLE ARE JUST GOING TO FOLLOW THESE THINGS FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. AND THEN GO BACK TO THEIR NORMAL ROUTINE. HAW DO YOU SUGGEST TO MAKE A LONG LASTING IMPACT ON THE PEOPLE?

"WORD OF MOUTH''- Yes this is the reason for the success of Sushant Sharma's Youth Brigade. All of these events are ZERO BUDGET  initiatives. There are no sponsors. He arranges for the funds himself and that in itself is indeed a legendary thing to do. What he says that, if few people think that they have been benefited with his initiatives and his works then with mouth publicity, his cause can reach a whole new level of reputation.

And he says,

                          "BEKHYAALI JAATE  JAATE  AAEGI

                           AUR AKAL AATE AATE AAEGI"

He again stresses on the fact that change is gradual but when it hits you, it hits you hard and then we realize our responsibilities as an individual and as citizens of a diverse county like India. Because,

ACCEPTANCE COMES ONLY AFTER DENIAL.

• WHAT MEASURES DO YOU SUGGEST AS A CITIZEN OF THE SOCIETY AND AS A CITIZEN OF INDIA TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE?

Sushant says that he is not any law maker or someone in the police or judiciary. He is just a normal guy doing his normal work. there are many organisations and individuals that are working towards striving for change. He also agrees with this fact, all want to help the society in one way or the other.

Therefore he suggests that, our choices have to be legitimate and we should not just gain knowledge but we should gain the right amount and kind of knowledge. There also has to be an effort in each and every kind of task we perform because we are young, the youth, we have so much heat in ourselves. If we think carefully and act accordingly then definitely we can also be YOUTH WITH A DIFFERENCE.

• ANY MESSAGE FOR THE SOCIETY?

"BE A YOUTH BUT BE A YOUTH WITH A DIFFERENCE. A UNIQUE ONE."

(Youth Brigade interactive session at CAFE OYE)

THE LADY WITH THE WILLPOWER TO HELP- Amandeep Kaur

Our first interview was with Amandeep Kaur of chandigarh.
Amandeep Kaur did her schooling from Carmel Convent School, sector 9, Chandigarh.
She then passed out from Chitkara University with a bachelors degree in Engineering, Computer Science in 2012.
She presently got placed at Patni Computers, and she will join her work from this month.She's been working with an NGO Tamanna, for the past two years.
So here's a conversation with Amandeep Kaur about the society, her contribution, her social work and about the incidents of rape, murder, eve teasing and other increasing crimes against women.

• WHAT EXACTLY DOES SHE DO AT GURU ASRA.?

Amandeep teaches girls at the GURU ASRA TRUST, Sector 55, Chandigarh.

She voluntarily and at her own will teaches the inmates, there English, she also helps the inmates, the girls, out with their day to day problems and helps them to come out with feasible solutions.
She also spends a lot of time with the girls and keeps a check to make sure that they have cleaned their rooms.She also sometimes joins them in cooking.
Though she is not professionally qualified to be a teacher she shares everything with the girls what she learnt during her school days.
In short in some way or the other , she is helping the GURU ASRA trust girls  to develop themselves physically, emotionally and mentally.

• WHAT STEPS HAS SHE TAKEN TO TEACH THE INMATES.?

She wants her students to converse or try to converse in English with each other and with her, as much as possible. For instance, she has worked on students' grammar and especially tenses (past, present etc), and on Saturdays , they have general open honest discussions about how much they love her class and do they really enjoy being their teacher.
Amandeep also very eagerly told us about one of her classes. One day, she had asked her students to write atleast one sentence each in Punjabi and then she would write it in English and then they would read it together. so like this they ended up learning and doing "87" sentences that day. Indeed a great thing.
Just imagine how much, those kids would have learned that day.

• HOW DID SHE GOT TO WORK AT GURU ASRA TRUST.?

Amandeep has been working with  NGO Tammana for the past two years. Tammana the NGO had adopted the GURU ASRA trust place. Amandeep used to visit GURU ASRA to spend time with the girls and also to take part in the different programmes and occasions organised by the NGO, for example Holi celebrations, Christmas functions etc.

Amandeep understood that these kids were shy, introvert and lacked a sense of confidence to a great extent. So thats when she decided to help the girls with their speaking skills and improve their English. Thats why she told her NGO president about her decision to take up this task of teching the children.

And that was the beginning of her wonderful journey, a journey filled with love for children, doing social work and being connected with whatever good you are doing.

                                  Amandeep (center) with the inmates at GURU ASRA.

• HOW DOES SHE WANTS TO MAKE A CHANGE IN HER STUDENTS' LIFE.?

Amandeep from the beginning wanted her students to open up and talk a little. She wanted them to speak up for the things the children needed. And her main aim was to make the children understand what life is and how to be self confident and be brave.

This is the reason, she shared her students' problems with her and accepted them as her own and provided very interesting solutions to those manacles.

• WAS SHE INTERESTED IN SOCIAL WORK FROM A VERY YOUNG AGE.?

Yes, indeed she was interested in helping others from a young age. Her Convent education and Moral Science classes even further helped her to make a taste in social work.

She wanted to do this in a proper systematic way, thats why she wanted to join some NGO or some social and charitable organisation.

She says, "That i needed a medium to work and help the people because I was interested in social work, and that medium I got through NGO Tammana.

• BEING AN ENGINEER, WHY DID AMANDEEP CHOSE SOCIAL WORK.?

Amandeep found this question a bit tough though, but as they say, "PASSION KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES. PASSION KNOWS NO LIMITS..!! "

So there was no stopping her. Amandeep is a religious person, she believes in the God and the Almighty. She feels blessed by God in many ways because she has everything as compared with the lives of the inmates at GURU ASRA.

According to her, she dosen't believe in giving money or donation to the Gurudwara, however she rather does social work and helps those children because that is how she is thanking and serving the Lord and making him happy.

Such is her passion and dedication to do social work and help underprivileged kids that she wants to continue it even after she has been placed in her job.

Indeed a great lady.!

• ACCORDING TO HER WHO IS THE CULPRIT IN THE INCREASING CASES OF CRIMES, RAPES AND EVE TEASING THE WOMEN ARE FACING TODAY.?

She gives a straight forward answer to this question. According to her, the guy or any other such person who is doing such an immoral act or who is conducting the crime against women is solely responsible. She says if the person can have such a cheap mindset, then how will it be a girl's fault if she is wearing short clothes.

its because of lack of moral values and education and respect for women that the man commits such a crime.

Amandeep also says that if the persons's family background is such, that is they have instilled in the man all moral values and taught him to respect the women, then why would he commit such a crime.?

Agreeing strongly with Amandeep, two or three people cannot stop this single handedly and change the mentality of people. We all need to stand up and work towards bringing a solid change in the society together.

"TOGETHER WE CAN AND WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.!!"

• BEING A GIRL DOES SHE FEEL SAFE IN HER OWN COUNTRY, INDIA.?

She just practically and blatantly says "NO". To this answer, we were shocked and sad at the same time. She just gives a simple reason, that reading and seeing about the various crimes, and increasing crime rates against women on TV, newspaper  etc, she has lost faith in her fellow beings. what a pity.!

A girl is scared of her own fellow Indians. This is a thing not to be proud of, this is a thing to feel ashamed for.!

• IS THERE ANY EQUALITY BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMEN AS OUR SO CALLED CONSTITUTION STATES.?

She states that though she hasn't experienced  anything like eve teasing or other crimes against women personally, but she still feels that equality levels have been on a decrease as compared to what we very proudly preach about equality.

According to her, men still get a upper hand and will continue to get the upper hand if no measures are taken to help the plight of women in our country.

• WHAT MEASURES CAN SHE AS A PERSON SINGLE HANDEDLY SUGGEST TO BRING A CHANGE.?

The first reason she gives or the first measure she suggests is that upliftment of the poor people and the underpriviledged could definitely bring a strong change in the society, because the majority of the population in our country is poor and they are the backbone of our nation.

We have to make them understand what is wrong and right for them and then we can definitely contribute our bit to the society.