YIL - Young Indian Leaders

CNN-IBN, the Indian version of CNN had their YIL -Young Indian Leaders awards ceremony today. These awards "is about celebrating the achievements of Young Indians who personify the spirit of youth. It is an effort to identify, honour, and showcase the young achievers, from various fields of expertise, who in turn can be a source of inspiration to the nation's youth."

Their website created specially for this occasion answers the question Why, very well.
"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."

India has the second largest and youngest population in the world. There are more than 700 million Indians below the age of 35 in the country. Bharat Ratna Dr. Abdul Kalam once remarked that there was no credible platform in the country to recognize the achievements of youthacross various walks of life.

We at CNN-IBN, IBN7 and IBN-Lokmat have taken it upon ourselves to create a nationwide credible platform to identify, recognize and showcase the achievements of young Indians. This initiative we hope will channelize the aspirations of the youth and in turn inspire them. 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.
http://ibnlive.in.com/youngindian/index.php

Interestingly the 8 winners were from a cross section ofsociety and professions. All very impressive and extremely inspiring.

The 8 winners were

CHAVI RAJAWAT

A young educated woman who gave up a hi-fi corporate job to return to her home village in Rajasthan and become the sarpanch. And make a huge difference to the lives of people and villages around.


D UDAY KUMAR

The IIT professor, who designed the new rupee symbol.


  
KRUSHNAA PATIL

This 20 year old not only became the youngest to conquer Mount Everest, but set off on a 7 summit quest, attempting to climb the tallest peak in every continent. She has so far managed 6, missing North America, when she had to return 700 metres from the peak after her guide fell ill.


INDRANI MEDHI

The 32 year old has developed text-free user inerface that allow even an illiterate first time user to interact with minimal or no assistance.


AGA RUHULLAH

The youngest minister in the J&K cabinet, believes in refusing security and living in his village. He's working towards providing lasting peace through prosperity with dignity.


IRFAN ALAM

The 29 year old IIM grad is the founder of Sammaan Foundation. The foundation equips rickshaws with music, magazines, newspapers, first-aid kits, refreshments and advertisements to help rickshaw-pullers. Today Sammaan boasts more than 500,000 rickshaws across 8 states.


SUDARSAN PATTNAIK

This 33 year old sand artist become the world champion in 2008. His "Help Tsunami Victims" touched the hearts of millions globally.


AKHIL GOGOI

The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti founder takes on powerful politicians in his home state of Assam.

You can see videos of these super-achievers at:
http://ibnlive.in.com/youngindian/videos.html

Akhil Gogoi used the forum to request Navin Jindal, an MP and part of the Jindal Group not to go ahead with
their major electric projects in Assam. Jindal himself is one of the youngest MPs in the coountry. It was very refreshing to see him walk on stage and explain their plans in a nutshell and their handling of the environmental issues. Most important he publicly committed to Akhil, that of they could convince him that the project was not in the overall interest of either Assam or India, he would ensure that it did not go ahead.

All in all, an impressive and deserving list of winners, giving all of us hope in the India of tomorrow.