'Students can be masters of change'

We recently asked readers to tell us how they are bringing about a change in India, even as they grapple with their education and workplace matters. rediff.com celebrates the sincere spirit of these young Indians.

Like many of his contemporaries, 26-year-old Rohit Prakash believes that young, impressionable minds have the potential to change things for good.

Prakash, who holds a degree in engineering and business administration, has been working in the area of environmental preservation for about a year now. His organisation i-dream works at 'sensitising young minds to turn their thoughts into actions'.

"Under i-dream we develop and deliver educational content in the field of environment for school students," Prakash informs adding that in its one year of existence, i-dream has managed to spread the word amongst young minds in various schools across Delhi.

"We are looking at reaching out to students and making them see environment preservation as a necessity and not a compulsion. That way they can willingly take action and lead us to a greener future," he tells us.

Rohit Prakash says that he uses videos and images based on facts, figures and latest scientific research and focuses on 'practical aspects of environmental issues'. And this, he says, makes his educational content unique.

"Moreover, we make use of interesting teaching methodologies such as workshops, games, case studies, simulation exercises, print and TV advertising and theatres, which makes environment education interesting and involving," he adds.

The 26-year-old says that most people in India tend to take such issues rather callously and speaks out against what he calls the 'chalta hai' attitude: "Only when each and every citizen realises that s/he has enormous power in their own individual capacity to bring about a change in this country will it become a developed economy."

Prakash points out that a large number of schools do not have good quality content in the field of environment nor a dedicated resource person to teach students. "i-dream helps bridge this gap," he says.

When you ask him of his vision of India he lists out situations where motorcar drivers turn off their engines at the traffic lights, people don't litter public places or indulge in corruption, and become sensitive citizens.

"i-dream is a very small effort to bring about some change in this world," Prakash says, admitting that it becomes difficult to reach out to people as they get older which is why he addresses school students.

He concludes: "They (young students) have the potential to be masters of change and lead the movement for a green future. We plan to reach out to these young students through our interesting and innovative educational content and activities and sensitise them to the various environmental issues and what they should do to preserve our planet. Whatever has happened so far is now in the past. The need of the hour is to look ahead, and by preparing our future generation, we hope to create a pool of environmentally conscious and responsible citizens."

Would you like to share your story with us? Tell us how you are following your heart while doing your bit for society. If you are under 35 years of age then write to us at getahead@rediff.co.in with the subject line: 'I'm following my heart' along with your name, age and photograph.