Blurring Social Divides

“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.” -Robert F. Kennedy

Last weekend, I came across a few young people who, like Robert Kennedy, believe that through small acts, they can redefine this generation. In India, a country still riddled by the barnacles of a caste system unwilling to let go, seeing young people working together across class to make change proffered hope for a new India.

While waiting for the monsoon to arrive in an auditorium in Mumbai, I met a series of social entrepreneurs, part of Ashoka’s Youth Venture program, who have taken on the responsibility to change our world, with perseverance and steady energy.

Eighteen year old Shubhangi has started an initiative to inform her community about child sexual abuse. Monika is 15, and raising awareness of substance addiction among young people in her neighborhood. Prabal has started an alternative magazine called SLAP. Prashant is sending drop-outs back to school.

Each of these projects is led by a young person (15-24) and has produced measurable results. 18 conversations about alcohol abuse. 12 drop outs re-enrolled in school. 4 girls returned to school.

As I watched the video about a young woman helping send girls back to school, I caught myself in a wave of cynicism. Four girls, I thought. It’s quite a small number. But then, I tried to imagine the girls. In a classroom. Learning. Playing. Reading aloud. Proving their point.

At a time when so many of us are preoccupied with the need to SCALE, it was refreshing to be in at an event that acknowledged every one’s ability to DO SOMETHING, even “small” things.  It’s more than I can say for most people I know. We get hamstrung by steps 3-10, when we haven’t even done 1 and 2.

Blurring the Social Divide
As many who have been to India or live here will acknowledge, the caste system is still in force, although many deniers will tell you it doesn’t exist. This event offered a rare opportunity to see a blurring of this social strata. Among the participants, it was clear that there was gender parity and class heterogeneity. The Ashoka team has made a concerted effort to bring girls to the table in equal numbers with boys, and remarkably, kids from the slums mixed with kids who rarely venture outside their air-conditioned cars and home(s).

Looking around at the audience of over 200 people, there was a range of classes and geographies represented. Proud mothers in worn saris. Members of Mumbai’s intelligentsia. Tons of young high school and college kids from different backgrounds. Expats working in social development.

It Takes a Village
Although entrepreneurship is generally talked about as a solitary march against a cascade of “Nos,” these entrepreneurs proved that this kind of work doesn’t have to be lonely. Almost everyone honored for a project came up to the stage with one or two team members (and in some cases 5 or 10). Each young social entrepreneur seemed to be clearly demonstrating that change doesn’t necessarily happen alone. As the vibrant dancer and activist Mallika Sarabhai told the audience, “Wanting to be the boss is a lonely life. The greatest thing a leader can do is inspire everyone to think they are leading the team.”

To echo Vipin Thekkekalathil, the Associate Director of the Youth Venture program in India, this event, the 2nd annual Youth Venture Awards, was an opportunity to see India shining.