Foreword The youth of today stand at the forefront of shaping a sustainable and inclusive future. With their energy, creativity and resilience, they hold the key to addressing the pressing challenges of our time, from climate change to social inequities. ‘Where the Mind is without Fear’ captures the voices, aspirations, and transformative ideas of young changemakers, as they collaborate to drive meaningful action within their communities. This publication reflects their journey through Dhwani, a platform that unites young leaders with mentors and subject matter experts to co-create solutions for a just and equitable transition. It celebrates the courage, vision and determination of young minds, whose actions remind us that the seeds of change lie in their hands, and with the right support, those seeds can bloom into a brighter tomorrow. Let this publication inspire all of us to champion the potential of youth and their ability to lead the way toward a sustainable and fearless future. 1
Gitanjali 35 Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high Where knowledge is free Where the world has not Been broken up into fragments By narrow domestic walls; Where words come out from The depths of truth; Where tireless striving Stretches its arms towards perfection; Where the clear stream of reason Has not lost its way Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit; Where the mind is led forward by thee Into ever widening thought and action Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake. - Rabindranath Tagore, Nobel Laureate 2
From the Desk of Chief Executive Officer, Tata Steel Foundation ‘Dhwani’ literally translates into ‘echoing sound’, the exact tenet on which the conclave is based - to create the right kind of noise and buzz around the solutions and dialogue on challenges that lie ahead of the youth of today. A lot of what we do now has an impetus on children and youth who comprise the future keepers of this resourceful planet. Since its inception in 2017, Dhwani has witnessed the convergence of eager, knowledgeable youth who also bear immense potential, waiting to be explored and unravelled. Sourav Roy The youngsters at Dhwani are proteges of the Foundation’s programme, RISHTA, many of who work relentlessly in breaking societal barriers in the deepest and remotest corners of the country. Throughout the year, for over a decade, the Foundation engages with the youth to raise awareness, equip them with knowledge on opportunities, discuss critical adversities like child marriage, menstruation, sexual hygiene, and encourage them to become torchbearers of this dialogue. These discussions have often helped us dive deeper into the felt needs of the youth, who are grappling with lack of opportunities, migration, inaccessibility in education etc. Therefore, some of our programmes including Pre-Matric Coaching, Jyoti Fellowship, institutes extending technical and non-technical skilling, sports centres, tap into the untapped potential of every last-mile child. 3
This is also in line with the poem - Where the mind is without fear - by Rabindranath Tagore, which resonates with the idea of sharing the joy of free knowledge to empower the youth of tomorrow with knowledge, skills and ideas that they can take forward for future generations. At Dhwani, more than 650 individuals across Jharkhand and Odisha converge to deliberate on issues that they grapple with in their everyday lives. There’s Prem Kumar who began fencing coaching classes in his village, where nobody had even heard of the sport before, let alone the opportunities that come with it. Suhana Singh from Ramgarh, who left her home to protest against early marriage has been living with her grandmother to complete her education to prove to the world that she was more than what the society expected her to be. Manisha Naik from Odisha has been shattering all stereotypes about women in sports, showcasing her resilience and spirit of excellence by carving a career and joining the police force as an official. There are endless stories, some of which you will read in this thoughtfully curated publication, that brings to light the perspectives of youth and those who spend the most time with them throughout the year to understand and reflect on their issues. 4 The poem ends with a beautiful line: ‘Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake’ signifying that freedom is not always in physical boundaries but also in our minds which comes through intense research, introspection and inquisitiveness. It is, thus, our duty to share and create platforms for the exchange of these stories and topics for the youth to be motivated to explore opportunities and the big ideas they often hide in their minds for fear of failure or giving up on their social circumstances. This freedom is knowledge that comes alive at the Dhwani conclave and remains lit throughout the year, innovating ideas to solve challenges of the future. Having said all of this, we must also acknowledge that the youth of today are very aware of their surrounding, with every piece of information lying at their fingertips. At times, it gets challenging to segregate facts from fiction. But they are eager and willing to learn what they want to achieve and how to achieve it. They often share feedback on their experiences, helping us reflect more deeply on our journey. Dhwani upholds the essence and high energy of the youth waiting to change the world and modify it to suit their needs. It brings together great young minds, recognises young changemakers who are already making a difference, and motivates us to make information our greatest tool in fighting all odds.
Table of Content 1. Fearless Minds and Free Knowledge 3. Transformative Journey of Changemakers 2. Identity and Aspirations of Youth 4. Ideas Converging to Solve Challenges 5. Initiatives Creating Lasting Impact 5 1
Executive Summary This publication, ‘Where the Mind is without Fear’ reflects Tata Steel Foundation’s vision of engaging youth as catalysts for addressing social and environmental challenges. Since 2017, Dhwani has evolved into a platform connecting young leaders from Jharkhand and Odisha with mentors, focusing on sustainability and innovation. The 2024 edition, themed ‘Just Transition,’ emphasised an equitable transition towards a green economy that ensures inclusivity and fairness. Every year Dhwani begins with manthan yatra, a series of community dialogues held across eight locations. This year these sessions brought together over 590 participants to address pressing local and global challenges, including climate crisis, child marriage, and resource management. Insights from these discussions shaped actionable solutions rooted in real-world contexts. A preliminary survey conducted with 230 respondents further identified key areas of concern, such as unemployment, education gaps, and limited awareness of green skills. With representation from 234 villages and over 60 per cent female participants, Dhwani 2024 championed inclusivity and diversity. Participants engaged in discussions, storytelling and practical activities, focusing on building green skills to prepare for sustainability-focused industries. Themes such as renewable energy, waste management, sustainable farming and green education underscored the need for skills that 6 align with the demands of the green economy. The programme also showcased the ability of youth to tackle societal issues like child marriage, addiction and accessibility gaps in education. Stories shared during the event highlighted how young participants have implemented localised solutions to challenges, demonstrating the potential for collective progress when young people are equipped with knowledge and resources. Dhwani aligns with Tata Steel Foundation’s broader initiatives, addressing health, education, skill development, and cultural preservation in the youth. Programmes like RISHTA, Jyoti Fellowship, Tribal language classes and various scholarship schemes work in tandem to provide youth with opportunities to grow, contribute meaningfully to society, and create long-term impacts within their communities. By focusing on green skills, local solutions and collaborative approaches, Dhwani 2024 underscores the importance of youthdriven action in addressing critical challenges. The programme seeks to equip youth with skills, ideas and opportunities to combat challenges of tomorrow.
Chapter 1 “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high Where knowledge is free Where the world has not been broken up into fragments By narrow domestic walls” 7
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