Youth Commission

Charting a Transformative Journey

The former Chairperson writes about the Kerala State Youth Commission’s Role in Shaping the Future

The Kerala State Youth Commission has emerged as a proactive champion in scenarios where youth have been eclipsed by the shadow of social injustice. The Commission has consistently advocated for the attainment of social and personal justice, with special emphasis on the causes of women, transgender individuals, the differently-abled, and the SC-ST youth. In a pioneering initiative, the Commission organized the nation’s first Grievance-Redressal Adalat exclusively for the transgender community, a move that garnered widespread acclaim.

The Commission has set in motion an array of initiatives aimed at propelling the social mobility of marginalized groups. For instance, it campaigned rigorously for the expunction of discriminatory language, such as heterosexual/third gender, from identification documents. It has also advocated for the installation of ramps in government offices to amplify accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The Commission has additionally proposed the inclusion of an option for the transgender community in the PSC application form. Its endeavours are directed towards the democratic realisation of social justice, as evidenced by our organization of regular health camps in the tribal colonies of Kerala, striving ceaselessly to uplift their societal conditions. Its interventions have expedited job placements for candidates on the PSC rank list and ensured timely grants for deserving students. The Commission has worked tirelessly to foster safer work environments and forestall exploitation. Through such efforts, the Youth Commission has safeguarded the human rights of young individuals and championed the cause of social justice.

The Commission has worked tirelessly to foster safer work environments and forestall exploitation. Through such efforts, the Youth Commission has safeguarded the human rights of young individuals and championed the cause of social justice.

The Commission has confronted issues such as the extension of college hostel hours and enhancement of hostel food quality. We have rallied for the right of textile workers to sit during their shifts. The Youth Commission has actively contested social injustices like violence against women, dowry, and relationship disputes, thereby being a bulwark for young individuals when they have been denied justice.

In the face of adverse circumstances, the Youth Commission has served as an invaluable bulwark, preparing Kerala’s youth to contend with crises such as the rampant floods and the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the tempestuous periods of COVID-19, the Commission has been instrumental in dispatching life-saving medication overseas and in orchestrating the safe return of Malayali students marooned in other states. With the invaluable aid of the then minister E. P. Jayarajan, we commandeered a chartered flight to transport medicine at a time when regular flights were grounded due to the lockdown. When the Karnataka state border was sealed, the Commission stepped in to ensure the timely delivery of essential medication to those in need. Our indefatigable efforts secured lifesaving drugs for numerous patients at RCC during the lockdown, a feat that continues to inspire our future endeavours. Under the Commission’s guidance, thousands of spirited youth rallied to aid those affected by COVID-19. The Commission’s efforts and the volunteer force we led were honoured with a special mention during the Chief Minister’s press conference.

Global Recognition and Accolades from the United Nations

The Kerala State Youth Commission and the Malayali youth’s global recognition serve as a source of immense pride for the Commission. The United Nations Youth Envoy has acknowledged our significant contributions during the floods and COVID-19 crises. We were also invited to present a paper at an international workshop helmed by UNESCO and the United Nations Environment Organization, focusing on ‘youth involvement during the floods in Kerala’. Our youth had the honour of speaking at a United Nations workshop in Berne, Germany, addressing issues related to the environment, climate change, and disaster mitigation. These experiences have been instrumental in shaping the Commission’s global perspective and ethos.

Standing Shoulder to Shoulder with the Youth; In Tune with the Times

Throughout this period, the Commission has spearheaded a series of comprehensive campaigns addressing pressing concerns such as drug abuse, cybercrime, and women’s rights, while simultaneously fostering democratic public awareness. These campaigns have benefited over 100,000 young individuals across colleges, libraries, clubs, colonies, and camps. Our awareness magic show, ‘Mentoring Young Kerala’, held under the motto ‘Navakerala Nirmithi Yuvathayiloode’, has been a resounding success on various campuses across Kerala. Magician Gopinath Muthukad hosted this engaging programme for the Commission. We have also successfully spearheaded campaigns against a myriad of superstitions and societal ills.

The Commission has coordinated ‘Job Fests’ throughout the state, providing job-seeking youth with myriad opportunities. It’s noteworthy that this initiative has helped over a thousand young individuals secure employment. Over the years, the Commission has awarded the Youth Icon Award in various fields including arts, culture, sports, literature, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and social service to honour exceptional young individuals, thereby fostering a renewed sense of motivation among the youth. The recipients of the Youth Icon award include luminaries such as Prithviraj Sukumaran, C. K. Vineeth, Rajesh Krishnan, Varun Chandran, Ashla Rani, Tovino Thomas, Manu S. Pillai, Chitra P.U., Johnson, Krishnakumar, Arun A. Unnithan, and others.

The seminars have been enriched by the presence of distinguished participants including Teesta Setalvad, Shabnam Hashmi, Dr Estefania Guevara, former Cuban civil court judge and cultural activist Liliyam Botty, theatre activist Pralayan S., various state ministers, academic savants, authors, filmmakers, and other notable figures who have moderated these sessions.

Annually, the Commission orchestrates National Seminars and Youth Day celebrations for a select cadre of young individuals, with participation from a constellation of luminaries from diverse fields. The Commission has conducted thought-provoking national seminars on current topics such as ‘Rereading the Nation: Past and Present’, ‘Agree to Disagree’, ‘Rebuilding Youth Kerala; Towards a Knowledge Society’, ‘Alternative…Resistance…Youth…’ among others. The seminars have been enriched by the presence of distinguished participants including Teesta Setalvad, Shabnam Hashmi, Dr Estefania Guevara, former Cuban civil court judge and cultural activist Liliyam Botty, theatre activist Pralayan S., various state ministers, academic savants, authors, filmmakers, and other notable figures who have moderated these sessions.

The Emergence of Green Politics

The Commission has meticulously crafted several initiatives aimed at kindling the interest of the youth in agriculture and advocating for organic farming. We have championed a plethora of green politics initiatives such as the Green Zone Scheme, the Youth Farmers’ Congress, and the promotion of wasteland cultivation at the grassroots level. We have also addressed various environmental issues by appointing Green Youth Coordinators at the district level. Building upon these efforts, the Youth Commission, in synergistic collaboration with the state government, aspires to develop a unique youth policy tailor-made for Kerala.