What A Jumbish!

PJI's annual Jashn-e-Jaipur Youth Jumbish this Saturday was an event to be remembered. Hundreds of students and young people came to participate in the events and take in a fantastic day of live music, theatre, empowerment, and active citizenship.

In the morning, the bands Makeshift and Zenith started with an amazing atmosphere in Krishnayan Theatre at JKK, and kept the level of energy going throughout the day. Out in the atrium and in Rangayan Theatre, our partner NGO Umang held presentations, games, and shows about the theme of disability, and on the national campaign Badhte Kadam, which promotes the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in society.

After the bands, the Kula Manch team performed a play that looked at a number of social issues: alcoholism, domestic abuse, government corruptions, police violence, blood donation, and child labor. The discussion afterward was about the role of active citizenship in these areas, and many members of the audience shared their views.

Plays, skits, dances, songs, and poetry by Zenith, groups from LBS College, MNIT, Maharai College, Dusra Dashak, Taabar, Help in Suffering, and Aadhar captivated the crowds in Krishnayam throughout the afternoon. Topics included road safety, gender, animal welfare, environment, alcoholism and drug abuse.

Towards the end, performances by Zenith and Makeshit, along with the classical-rap mix of MVC brought the Jumbish to a climax, with the crowds dancing and chanting for encores after each song. A huge number of youth had come to JKK and enjoyed the entertainment, energy, and passion towards active citizenship shown by all the performers. The festival was capped off by a slideshow of Pravah volunteers and everyone involved in planning the Jumbish.

Of course, the presentations of the 2010 Youth Changemaker Awards were some of the festival's biggest highlights. A remarkable batch of changemakers were honored with the award. They were: Jaiprakash Aajad, who has promoted blood donation and education in his village; Aditi Chaumaan, who works for the rights of women and young girls; Amanpreeth Kaur and Ashok Kumar Mahaavar, who work with the NGO Aadhar to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and education; G21, a group from MNIT that has worked on tree-planting and disability campaigns, Dusra Dashak, an NGO that has worked to empower girls and eradicate controversial practices in tribal groups; Rashim Patel, who has used theater as a tool towards social welfare; Yagyatosh Bagaria, who works towards animal welfare and frequently brings injured animals to a shelter; and Suresh Bairwa, who has educated his community on issues such as health, education, and sanitation.

More to come in the upcoming days highlighting the award winners, the specific bands and acts, lots more photos, and all other info from the Jumbish!