Latest news with #MYBharat
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
On green mission, students become changemakers to tackle air pollution
New Delhi: What if the solution to the capital's air pollution crisis lies in its classrooms and college campuses? Through a recent circular, the directorate of education is engaging thousands of students in becoming changemakers for the environment. "All deputy directors of education (district) are requested to disseminate information to all the heads of schools of govt, govt-aided and private unaided recognised schools under their jurisdiction in engaging youth (age 15 years and above) for awareness generation under National Clean Air Programme through the MY Bharat platform," the DoE circular reads. School students are being mobilised to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of the city—air pollution. From planting trees to leading street plays, they're becoming the voice behind cleaner air, one mission at a time. According to the circular, "On two designated days each month, students from schools, colleges and eco-clubs will participate in themed awareness activities, experiential learning and community outreach events. Special mega-events will also be organised around occasions, such as World Environment Day (June 5), Swachh Vayu Diwas (Sept 7) and Zero Emission Day (Sept 21)." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Device Made My Power Bill Drop Overnight elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Pre-Order Undo Each month comes with a unique environmental mission to make learning action-oriented. In May, youth ambassadors launched clean-up drives under the theme 'plastic-free public places', promoting the use of eco-friendly alternatives. June brings 'plant trees, breathe free', with students participating in plantation drives. July's focus is on 'reducing industrial emissions', where participants visit industries using clean technologies and advocate for cleaner fuels. In Aug, the spotlight shifts to individuals making a difference under 'clean air heroes'. Street plays and public storytelling sessions honour everyday champions of clean air. Sept kicks off 'every breath matters', a week of awareness culminating in Swachh Vayu Diwas, complete with art installations, zero-emission pledges and city beautification efforts. Oct urges citizens to 'burn calories, not fuel', encouraging walking, cycling and switching off engines at red lights. Come Nov, schools and colleges host creative events like poster-making, essay competitions and short films under 'green living, better tomorrow'. Dec's mission is 'sustainable cities, healthier air', with activities focusing on green construction and urban planning. The campaign wraps up with a strong winter push: 'say no to waste burning' in Jan, reduce, reuse, repurpose, recycle in Feb—featuring visits to recycling units and zero-waste fairs—and 'no more dust' in March, involving street cleaning and dust control drives. Some Delhi govt schools have seamlessly integrated environmental consciousness into their daily routines. At Ravi Shankar SKV in Bawana, sustainability is not just a theme, it's a regular part of classroom sessions, morning assemblies and school-wide activities. "We promote sustainability through awareness drives, hands-on eco-activities and a green school ecosystem. From 'say no to plastic' and herbal gardens to rainwater harvesting and solar power, our students lead by example," said principal Sunita. This nationwide movement is being implemented through the MY Bharat platform, launched by the Union youth affairs and sports ministry to empower the youth of India. Now, in partnership with the environment ministry, this platform will drive year-long environmental awareness campaigns in 130 targeted cities. "If we want lasting change in the air we breathe, we must start with those who will inherit it. By turning classrooms into hubs of climate action, we're empowering students to become clean air warriors—aware, active and accountable for shaping a healthier, more sustainable future for all," said a Delhi govt school teacher. This initiative isn't just about awareness—it's about ownership. By engaging youth in hands-on, real-world experiences, it is creating a generation that not only breathes cleaner air but knows how to fight for it.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Youth surveys, air pollution-themed street plays: Delhi schools directed to engage youth in clean air programme awareness
Students above the age of 15, studying in Delhi's schools, should be made aware of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) through the Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) platform, the Directorate of Education (DoE) asked all Deputy Directors of Education (DDEs) on Wednesday as part of a youth empowerment initiative. In an office memorandum on May 22, the Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change detailed the awareness programme and an outreach initiative by NCAP cities. 'Hon'ble Prime Minister launched 'Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)' platform to empower the youth (age group 15-29 years) in realising their aspirations and contributing to the creation of a 'Viksit Bharat',' it read. As part of this, year-long awareness programmes have been earmarked with themed campaigns two days in a month as per the scheduling by the urban local bodies. This is to be done through the engagement of youth, schools, colleges and eco-clubs for micro-events, according to the directive. Mega events are also to be organised on special events such as World Environment Day, Air Pollution Awareness Week, Swachh Vayu Diwas, among others. Experiential Learning Programmes (ELP) for at least 120 hours, involving activities related to the NCAP, are also compulsory. On the financial aspect, it stated, 'The…activities…shall be made part of city action plan, and funds provided to cities under NCAP…may be utilised for taking up these activities.' In addition to this, regional directorates of the Central Pollution Control Board, state pollution control boards, and ULBs have been asked to facilitate the maximum registration of youth on the MY Bharat portal, as well as maximise event participation under the NCAP. According to the Centre's annual calendar, the micro events this month include tree plantation drives 'Ek Ped Maa ke Naam 2.0' on roadsides or parks. Apart from this, a student-driven plantation campaign has also been scheduled. For the rest of the months, industry visits, special drives for promotion of cleaner fuels, air pollution-themed street plays, and painting and write-ups on park walls, public places themed on improving air quality, melas with recycled waste products, road cleaning, among others have been planned. Mega events should include workshops, talks by air quality management experts at the school or college level, an air quality improvement hackathon, a documentary screening, and puppet shows. It has also been suggested to confer awards to safai mitras on Swachh Vayu Diwas on September 7. Similarly, a cycling or marathon event may be scheduled on Zero Emission Day on September 21. Surveys are also to be undertaken among the youth for Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan, as per the Centre's directions.
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Centre plans to rename Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan; Congress asks to withdraw move
The Congress party on Thursday said that the central government must withdraw its decision to rebrand the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) to 'MY Bharat Kendra' adding that removing Nehru's name from prominent institutions will not erase his 'towering' legacy. 'No matter how much the Sangh Parivar tries, removing Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru's name from prominent institutions will not erase his towering legacy', Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The development comes in wake of the Union government's decision to rename the NYKS, a nationwide network of youth centres established in 1972, an official announcement of which is yet to be made. The new name 'MY Bharat' — wherein MY stands for 'Mera Yuva' (My Youth) —has already been adopted on the websites and social media handles of the organisation's regional units, including district centres at Karwar (Karnataka), Damoh (Madhya Pradesh), Patna (Bihar), Lakshadweep, and Valsad (Gujarat). Also Read:Let the building be called by original name, says Karan Singh on renaming NMML A formal announcement is expected soon, though internal communications within the ministry of youth affairs and sports have already started using the new name, officials told HT, requesting anonymity. A proposal to change the organisation's name was first moved in 2017, but it was delayed as alternatives were being debated, officials said. A retired NYKS official said the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological fount of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had pushed for the change, citing feedback from local centres that favoured a name untethered to the 'Nehru-Gandhi dynasty'. 'The RSS argued that Nehru's legacy had overshadowed the work being done on the ground, which now revolves around the Prime Minister's schemes,' the retired official said, also declining to be named. The move comes two years after the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) was renamed as Prime Minister's Museum and Library in 2023. The Sangathan was launched as Nehru Yuva Kendra in 1972 to support rural youth in education and leadership training for the non-student youth. It became an autonomous body in 1987 under then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, expanding its reach to 311 districts. It was registered as a society by the name of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sanghathan in the same year. The NYKS currently operates in over 600 districts across the country. A ministry of youth affairs official said the renaming acknowledges Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policies. 'In India, everything is named after Nehru-Gandhi family. The name change is a positive decision. The ministry wants that these centres reflect the true nature of India and not just Nehru's legacy. These centres promote initiatives like Swachh Bharat and youth entrepreneurship programmes. The name 'MY Bharat' reflects public ownership of these efforts,' the official added. Reacting to the rebranding, Venugopal said the current ruling dispensation is hell bent on destroying established institutions to fulfil its political agenda of erasing one of the nation's founding fathers. 'The 'MY BHARAT' program is nothing, but a rebranded version of the popular Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) set up across India's villages since 1972. This shows that the regime is hell-bent on destroying established institutions to fulfil its political agenda of erasing one of the nation's founding fathers because inclusive, progressive icons like Gandhiji and Nehru ji deeply irk them', he said. 'The Centre must withdraw this decision to rebrand the NYKS' he added. When HT visited the Delhi office of NYKS, officials there refused to comment. Some of them, however, confirmed they were aware of the rebranding. HT also reached out to the office of Union minister of state for youth affairs and sports Chirag Paswan but did not get a response. CPI(M) lawmaker AA Rahim wrote a letter to Union minister for youth affairs Mansukh Mandaviya and expressed his strong objection to the renaming of NYKS. 'Removing Jawaharlal Nehru's name from this esteemed institution appears to be part of the Union government's continuing renaming process without making any structural changes in the institutions,' he said in the letter, he was quoted to as saying by news agency PTI.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Union ministry calls upon youth to join civil defence force
Hyderabad: The Union ministry of youth affairs and sports has called upon youth above 18 years of age to join the civil defence force as a part of their "MY Bharat" initiative. The services of civil defence volunteers are used to provide assistance with hospital management, fire service, police, and traffic management in cities. "Stand tall as India's protector," the ministry said in an appeal made on May 12 and 13. Siddipet district officials said the aim of the initiative by central govt was to enrol volunteers who would provide assistance during critical times. "Be the hero your city needs," the MY Bharat initiative said in an appeal to youth. M Rajith Reddy, an official of Nehru Yuva Kendra for Medak (erstwhile), said youth who are interested in heeding the call of the govt and joining civil defence can contact phone number 9650889829 for more information in the districts under the erstwhile Medak district. "While many people are part of the civil defence from across the country, I urge the youth to respond to the renewed plea of the govt," he said. Those who register will be provided with necessary training on how to be of assistance and save lives during critical periods, including during natural disasters. Those in the 18-30 age group can volunteer to be part of the civil defence. According to the Union ministry of home affairs, civil defence is primarily organised on a voluntary basis. While the target is to enrol 14.11 lakh volunteers, so far 5.38 lakh volunteers have been enrolled. The ministry said on its website the civil defence organisation needs to have a strong presence in all districts of the country in order to attain a target of one crore volunteers in the country in seven years.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
MY Bharat calls youth to serve as ‘Civil Defence Volunteers' during national emergencies
The Visakhapatnam unit of MY Bharat, the youth engagement platform under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, has called on the Indian youth to enroll as Civil Defence Volunteers (CDV), according to a press release on Monday. MY Bharat aims to build a trained volunteer force to assist local administration in times of national emergencies—disasters, and public crises with rescue, first aid, emergency response, crowd management, traffic regulation, and public safety. According to G. Maheswar deputy director, My Bharat-Visakhapatnam said: 'This is the first initiative of this kind in the country. Following the government's orders, we have been actively spreading the information among the public through various media platforms. Any Indian citizen, aged 18 years and above can register for voluntary service. As of Monday, no applications have been received. Candidates can register directly at the
