Social Capitalists

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It is one of my favourite TV programs.

YOUNG INDIAN LEADERS presented by CNN_IBN, IBN7 and IBN-Lokmat .

Their website asks the question: Why Young Indian Leaders and they answer:

"As young as your faith, as old as your doubt.

As young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear.
As young as your hope, as old as your despair."

By their own admission, the effort was initiated to set right an observation made by Dr. Abdul Kalam who once remarked that “there was no credible platform in the country to recognize the achievements of youth across various walks of life”. It is of course not just per chance that there are more than 700 million under 35 years Indians in our country.

On their site, “An inspired Young India means that India is on an accelerated path to take its rightful place in the world order as one of the greatest nations in the world.”

I feel moved, overawed and touched by this show. While the audience is the who’s who of India, the awardees are remarkable for their self-contained dignity and humility. They walk up on stage with a firm gait, a Mom in tow in some cases; they speak about their work in simple terms, and they do not complain or criticize. Many say that they are not looking at the government or the corporate sector for any support. Several come with the tag of an Ivy League education. They are clear that they do not care to struggle for any acceptance by anybody. They want to do what they want to do because it is they who want to do it. They call themselves the social entrepreneurs or the social capitalists. As far as they are concerned, development will have to begin grassroots upwards.

I watch and I marvel at their courage and self-belief. To me, they are India’s rarely seen face of hope and authenticity. Bravo Young India! You may make this country proud and inclusive yet.