Gujarat: Now, a project to identify, nurture future leaders

In a bid to identify and nurture potential leaders of the future, who can face and win over challenges that the country faces today, a Vadodra-based organisation will reach out to as many as two lakh students from schools and colleges across the state. The Misaal project is initiated by Oasis Movement.

"The project's objective is to identify children, teenagers, and youth, who want to bring substantial change in the country and the society. 50 per cent of our population is below 25 years of age, and they will need to tackle deep-rooted issues such as poverty, corruption, unemployment and pollution. This is why we feel that identifying future leaders and showing them the right direction is important," said Dr Maya Soni, regional head, Oasis Movement.

The organisation aims to reach to two lakh school and college students, including 1.3-1.4 lakh in Gujarat. The project kicked off in schools earlier this month, and would be rolled out in colleges on July 2. It has already reached to nearly 45,000 students so far.

"The evaluation process, spanning 45 days, will comprise three stages, ie essay competition, group dialogue, and project work. Their skills, self-esteem, confidence, learning ability, approach, and desire to change existing systems are some of the aspects that will be tested. The selected students will be awarded Oasis's Greatness and Leadership Development and Advanced Leadership Programme, and provided all the guidance and opportunity to learn to contribute to solve problems," she said.

Soni said the programme entails expenditure of Rs 65,000 per candidate, which would be borne by Oasis Movement.