A new concept for the people of Orissa, though not a new one for the world, Moral Re Armament (presently known as Initiatives of Change), is making an attempt to reach out to each and every individual of this state. Due to several constraints like geographical, financial and mainly due to lack of awareness, it becomes difficult for the people residing here to participate in the conferences organized at Asia Plateau in Panchgani (Maharashtra).
In May 1997, Rajiv Goenka, a youth from Orissa, first attended the Initiatives of Change (IofC) - National Youth Conference, held at Asia Plateau. He was eventually inspired to proliferate its ideas and messages to the youth in various regions in India, with the motto that “If the youth are not able to reach Asia Plateau, then IofC should be brought to them”. Since it’s easier and better to begin change at home, it triggered off the idea of organizing the first regional Youth Conference in Orissa. Due to his sincere effort he could gather 5 more youth and they attended the National Youth Conference in Jun 2003. On their way back to Orissa, this group was highly motivated and discussed in details, on how to go about organizing the 1st Youth Conference in Orissa.
After coming back, Harsh W. Mishra, who was part of the above youth group, took active role in the evolution of this dream. Thus, with meticulous planning and efforts of Rajiv and Harsh, the first Regional ‘Initiatives of Change’ Youth Conference was organized in lush premises of Silicon Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar, in Dec 2003.
The overwhelming success of the first Youth Conference instilled enough confidence in us to build a youth team with volunteers from all over Orissa as well as outside Orissa – a youth team comprising youngsters who feel earnestly to dedicate themselves to the cause of development of Orissa.
The three D’s – Dedication, Determination & Devotion – laid the foundation stone of the IofC-Orissa team. As a result of will power, the Three D’s and a desire to make a difference, months of planning and hard work generated a self-belief in us to continue with these ideas. Not to forget the Initiatives of Change (IofC) - Youth Team of Asia Plateau, the Directors, faculties and staff of Silicon Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar helped us remarkably as they guided us on the path of success.
All this and more gave us the zeal to come to a unanimous decision of not only taking up the initiative to organize such youth conferences annually, but also to devote out time to visit some villages of Orissa, to teach and spend time with small children from near-by slums, taking some steps in promoting Handicraft industry of Orissa, conducting small workshops for school and college students, doing out-reach programs through Seminars and lecture series at various institutes etc...
Over the last Seven years, IofC-Orissa group has had a phenomenal growth, and every year an endeavor has been made to reach far and wide and to influence as many as possible, with the principles of Initiatives of Change (IofC).
And the journey continues…
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