Special Sandhesh Youth Report
“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age”
The aim of this article is to provide a basic overview of the workings of our Prajapati Youth and it’s involvement within SPA (UK). The information contained herewith has been collated from previous Sandesh issues and inputs received from our 13 branches including youth members. To summarise, we have divided information into the following subheadings:
1. Introduction
2. Youth Committee
3. Youth Activities
4. Youth Issues – What are the issues?
5. The Future
6. Conclusion
Introduction
The youth are the future of the SPA.
Now 30 years on, we can look back on what has been a prosperous journey that stands proud. Our Samaj has become a forefront leader in developing new ideas, projects and most importantly it has established a UK wide coverage. This accomplishment has also encouraged other Samaj communities around the globe to use our framework as a benchmark for future development.
Our aim is to promote and further encourage current and future generations to participate in developing our Samaj. We have to learn to adapt to current trends and continue to share the significance of our roots and highlight cultural awareness. We have 13 Branches that help to unite our large community and promote successful integration into society without losing our true identity.
Youth Committee:
The youth committees were developed and put together to fill the gap since there were no ‘real’ youth activities being implemented by the Samaj at HQ & Branches.
Its main objective is;
“To gradually help integrate younger people into the Samaj hoping that eventually they will take a greater responsibility to help the Samaj forward”
The Youth Committee supports those involved in young people’s personal and social development and works to enable all young people to fulfil their potential within a progressive society in a modern era. It strives to do the following:
· Supporting those working with young people in a variety of settings
· Influencing and shaping youth policy and improving youth services
· Promoting young people’s participation, influence and place in society
· Improve and extend youth services and youth work
· Enhance and demonstrate youth participation in society
· Promote effective youth policy and provision
With the help of SPA (UK), we aim to provide the resources to improve the cultural management of young people. Create and demonstrate innovation in processes and methods, supporting the leadership of organising & to manage change. We would like to improve our public’s perception of our Samaj and its policy’s to secure standards of coaching and cultural awareness for youth.
Many young people within our Samaj will agree that managing this responsibility and trying to bring together people has been very difficult and at times very frustrating. We identified that change needs to happen inside our committee on a continual review basis so as to help us adapt to our community and the ever changing world that we live in.
Youth Activities
“The youth of today has a powerful potential, and we must have the courage to change old ideas and practices so that we can direct their power towards achieving good ends whilst maintaining cultural identity”
In the past it was found that some events or functions did not cater for the youth and most times it was out of touch. They also established that it failed to encourage the youth, and instead the rules of the Samaj were more imposed upon him/her. This type of situation occurred frequently and had to be addressed.
Youth teams recognised this and started to challenge internal policies and openly started to discuss these issues with branches.
Branch perception was that there was no cultural or traditional aspect within many youth led ideas whilst the youth felt that events and meetings failed to cater or attract younger people.
It was therefore necessary to stage functions that tapped into the interests that naturally appealed to younger people whilst providing a safe social environment. New youth meetings were held outside the Samaj calendar and were less formal and rather more open and accommodating. Such gatherings took place either at a Samaj building or at a restaurant and judging from turn’s ups this was seen as a positive step.
Soon the results of these informal discussions led to more ideas and solutions to bridge the gap. Everyone became more receptive to accepting positive criticism and were better geared at problem solving and making it more enjoyable.
Summarising, the Youth have worked extremely hard to bring change into our Samaj. We are determined to succeed and prove that it is possible to attract new faces. We know that this is no mere easy task but a worthy challenge that keeps us going and motivated. Our branches across the UK have also started to assist youth committees and are doing a wonderful job.
In spite of this, it is consensus of opinion by everyone within SPA (UK) that there is always room for further improvement and it’s vital that both the youth and the branches continue to work together.
SPA (UK) Ball – a success story!
In the late 1990’s it was Rajeshree Mistry (HQ Youth Leader) Manoj Mistry who originally pioneered the HQ Annual Ball with the help from youth members. Its aims were to unite the youth of the SPA throughout the UK in a celebration of our cultural and ancestral identity. However, initially the team experienced difficulty-seeking approval from the main committee members of SPA (UK), as it raised many questions about it significance and how would it help integrate youth into the Samaj. The Ball would provide the ideal opportunity where Prajapati’s within the community could network. It is a chance to meet people you might not have the chance to normally meet. However it is about appreciating the society that we live in and its ability to pull us away from our roots. In simple terms, at the end of the day it is about an event where people of the same background got together and have a good time.
Under the strict supervision and trust of HQ members the first event was held in Coventry in 1998. Open to one hundred and fifty people. Like with all events the youth team were quick to learn that organising an event was not as easy as anticipated. After promotion, sales were low but eventually all tickets were sold. The team felt that interaction and support between branches and HQ youth had to be improved to enable internal marketing to ensure future success.
Gradually the reputation of the event had started to spread around within our community and thus creating a greater interest. Over the next few years, to the present attendance has grown from 150 to 450!
Soon tickets were being reserved within hours and again leaving the team speechless!
Demand exceeded supply and whilst the temptation remained to increase capacity, we felt that it would be extremely difficult to locate venues that could accommodate within our tight, budgets. We soon realised that to bring together an event of such proportions, our promotion and communication should be drastically improved. Another method introduced by the team was the gradual development of what has become the SPA (UK) Mailing List. Supported by Shatish Lad (Ball Coordinator) and now managed by Jeetain Lad (HQ Youth Leader), it has helped the team to communicate directly with the youth, instead of relying on Branches and paper leaflets.
The SPA (UK) Ball took place during the months of October & November, during what is a very busy time in our Samaj Calendar. This format remained the same but we started to face difficulties with booking the venues. In November 2002, after the ball, and after consultation with HQ, it was unanimously decided that this event should be moved to February to avoid future booking problems and avoid clashing with religious dates. To minimise the impact during this transition, the team decided to hold a smaller event in the following year to compensate.
We soon realised that with every successful event, people expected more next time!
The well-known 3-course sit down meal format continued but in 2004 the team decided to add a Theme – James Bond 007.
This was another first for the team and whilst remaining sceptical we pushed on always with the support of HQ and delivered the best SPA (UK) Ball to date. The following year we implemented the theme ‘Bollywood’. It was a perfect opportunity to fuse our eastern culture with the western culture in which we all live. Members took the opportunity to flaunt around in Indian attire with ladies in their sarees and lehenga suits whilst our Samaj gents looked stunning in their Kurtas and Indian suits. There’s no doubt that the intricate designs and colour of Indian clothing look spectacular adding character to the whole event.
Some of the major challenges faced apart from the HQ committee, was learning how to negotiate hotel contracts, menu selection and room allocation. Without this dedicated effort behind the scenes, this event would not have been possible. Every year the team strives to push the boundaries, its objectives and goals to present another event to succeed the previous – Not an easy task especially when today’s younger generation are expecting more.
The team has successfully over the past 9 years managed to make certain that the ball remains a major part of our Samaj calendar and continues to do so. It is with the continued support and participation of young Prajapatis that it will help to safeguard the future of the SPA and the Ball.
The Ball is an expression of the strength and unity of our uniqueness as Prajapati’s through our own lifestyle.
SPA (UK) Sports Day
The SPA (UK) Sports Team was formed in November 2004 after the Youth were asked to manage and organise future sports days, however this would be gradual transition. Slowly behind the scenes the new team worked hard to understand what functions and roles were required to make a sports day a truly enjoyable ocassion.
This year has been an extremely challenging one as it’s the first time the team has co-ordinated the 29th Annual Sports Day in Birmingham from start of finish. It has been a roller coaster, but one which has given us the opportunity to build on our skills and understand that without communication, this kind of event, cannot be put together. The challenges that we faced were issues with rule changes. Any keen sports day participants understands that some rule changes are required to ensure fairness and consistency amongst all participants. During the planning stages the team faced challenges negotiating the venue, and this was challenging and not an easy task.
One of the main points to note about the sports day is that it is open to everyone within our community and many have made this a family event. Friendly competition between branches is healthy and helps to build a better relationship and removes invisible barriers.
To ensure that we are always meeting expectations and delivering the event, the sports team developed a questionnaire that would assist to identify areas for improvement, and encourage positive inputs. After the 2005 Sports Day these were issued out to all Branches and although the process became tedious it’s the results were encouraging and have definitely helped the planning and implementation of the 2006 event.
Youth Milestone Achievements:
Ball & Sports Day
· Improved communication with HQ & Committee members
· Obtained event organising skills
· Ensured admission price remained low
· Better Promotional information for Branches
· Created a dedicated Email database for all Ball related information, that has now developed into the Youth Mailing list
· Increased SPA (UK) awareness and the events reputation
· Helped create a platform to further encourage youth into our community
· Helped bring together young Prajapati’s from across the UK
· Ticket & Event management improved
· Youth management of SPA (UK) Annual Sports Day
· Introduced a Themed event & complimenting Menu
Youth Committee
· Election of Youth Leader and representation at AGM and Pratindhi Meetings
· First Female HQ Youth Leader – Rajeshree Mistry
· Creation & running of the SPA (UK) Website – Elesh Mistry
· Raas Garba event held in Leicester – unfortunately response has been low but we haven’t given up yet!
· Active participation at Mahila events
· Creation & Management of the SPA (UK) Annual Ball
· Youth Compared the 30th Anniversary Celebrations in Leicester
· Youth involvement to assist Sandesh Editor with Gujarati typing
· Set-up of the Northern Tournament
· Youth Management of Local Diwali Show productions
· Youth involvement in Rotary Eye Clinic Project and other fundraising events
· Election of young members to Secretary, Treasurer and President
· Christmas Parties
· Summer Picnics/BBQ
Youth Issues
Many of you will agree that there are still problems within the Samaj and these are preventing new younger faces to join. Most are probably scared to take on the commitment and many others don’t really know what we do in youth committee. It is imperative that continuity is maintained for the survival of the youth committee and we really greater participation from the youths of today
All we ask is that youth take an interest and attend meetings where there is an equal and fair opportunity to voice concerns and put forward ideas.
From experience this can be daunting at first but it is a learning curve for all, but be rest assured it will be welcomed at these national meetings.
Youth leaders are always under pressure to deliver new ideas and support national/international events. We admit that that sometimes the pressure poses challenges similar to ones faced if you are employed in the industry, and with constant encouragement and ability to improve on your ideas and mistakes, it is possible to achieve the goals. Believe us there is no greater satisfaction when you complete your tasks. In the process we are constantly learning.
There are many hurdles that the younger generation will face as they grow up in this multicultural society that we live in. Our community will always have to adapt to these changes for the good but change should not mean that we all forget the roots and our ancestry.
There are youths out there in our community that still shun the opportunity to make a difference. Helping at functions or attending is only part of the solution. Taking a keen interest in how our Samaj works and is where we need your participation
We are concerned that when current youth members will eventually move onto new projects within the Samaj, we need new volunteers to take l take on the responsibility? Firstly you can draw comfort that we are committed to pass down the experience and knowledge to new younger members. Passing the flame down the line will help support future generations. Secondly, sadly at times there is little or no encouragement from our elders. There is no better place to start learning our tradition and its values than at home.
Today we find that it is troubling to learn that branches are facing difficulties when attempting to initiate local youth interest. We are concerned that we are all going to face a similar dilemma in the near future, and we are seeing a rapid decline in Youth members at branch level. The last generation were keen and full of motivation to develop and persevere in pushing the limits but sadly without youth participation, their ideas can only be imposed and not developed to meet today’s challenge.
Teams were and still are full of multi talented individuals from various backgrounds i.e. students, graduates and skilled professionals. Due to increase in their own personal commitments, they are having to scale down their participation on the youth committee.
Many have married and opted to spend valuable time building a new life whilst continuing with a career, family etc. We all understand that this is an important part of our growing up within our tradition and culture.
This is true fact and should not be ignored!
“The whole Samaj community must take a valid interest and help to develop a sustainable future”
We need to remove the reputation i.e. stereotyping that is associated with every branch. The north, midlands and south divide has to be stopped for us to move forward. We urge every branch to share information about successful ventures and ideal youth activities where it has proved successful. On ocassion it would be nice to share also failures so that we can all learn to avoid pitfalls. Together we can learn and help each other build a secure future for our Samaj.
Future
“In youth we learn; in age we understand”
We the youth, need to make a focused effort in targeting specific age groups in order to propagate the good understanding our culture
As national HQ Youth leaders we would like to see a more unified youth that works together to uphold and pass down our tradition, culture and ethics. Ideally, we would like to see more activities that cater for all age groups with greater participation from branches, thus improving integration and relations. An example where this type of principle has been used is at the Northern Sports Day.
In addition to Sports Day & the Ball we need more national events to add to our portfolio.
Our main website is being managed by a youth member; however we live in complex world where you can now shop for anything on the web. For the Samaj to move forward we have to become more adaptive to new technology with the help from younger generations.
We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this report and for their hard work and dedication throughout these past few years.
We are hopeful that more youths will join us so we can make a difference, which encourages the unity of Shree Prajapati Association for generations to come. You are reading this, then be rest assured that as a youth, you can make a difference and all you have to do is to join us and give us a little of your time. You can contact us by emailing to youthspauk@btinternet.com
Youth Committee 2006-2007