Media Release

Mangaluru, Jul 19: Young Indians (Yi) is a movement that aims to converge, lead, co-create, and influence India’s future by empowering its youth. As an integral part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)—a non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led, and industry-managed organization playing a proactive role in India's development process—Yi was formed in 2002 to create a platform for young Indians to work towards realizing the dream of a developed nation.

Through thousands of impactful projects and activities divided primarily into three areas: "Youth Leadership," "Nation Building," and “Thought Leadership,” Yi strives to emerge as the premier Indian youth organization, giving young Indians a voice on relevant platforms to solve India’s proble Yi grooms its members for offices of significance and enables Indian youth to create using an expanding digitally enabled network. Under Youth Leadership, Yi promotes leadership skills for its members through programs in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Yi is one of the proud founders of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance (G20 YEA) and the Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs – Asia Pacific (CAYE- Asia Pacific). It engages the youth through international missions to many countries around the world to understand and learn from the best practices and cultures.

Yi’s student wing ‘Yuva’ engages over 25,000 young dynamic students from various educational streams through 107 Yuva Institutions. Under Nation Building, Yi engages its members in projects such as MASOOM, Gift an Organ, and Road Safety. Yi also works in broad categories including education, environment, healthcare, employability, arts (sports & culture), rural initiatives, accessibility, and disaster management, contributing positively to the surrounding ecosystem and the nation.

Under Thought Leadership, Yi engages its members through a Contributory Movement of Constructive Action, Collaborative Reasoning, and Collective Voice. Yi conducts learning sessions with industry experts to impart experiential learning through interactions and discussions. Yi Leadership Academy (LA) upholds the founding principles and values, instilling the same in Yi membership through the Yi Leaders Fellowship Program. Yi organizes its Annual Flagship Summit TakePride to celebrate Yi’s achievements, brainstorm over the future roadmap, and showcase the efforts of its membership from across its 67 chapters.

Empowering India's future: Yi Mangaluru's vision for young changemakers

In a nation as diverse and dynamic as India, the role of its youth in shaping the future cannot be underestimated. Young Indians hold the potential to be the driving force behind progress, innovation, and positive change. One organization that recognizes this immense potential and is dedicated to fostering it is Yi, the Young Indians. With a mission centered on empowering young minds and instilling the values of leadership, entrepreneurship, and nation-building, Yi provides a platform and voice to the next generation of changemakers, empowering them to lead, innovate, and create a better nation.

By nurturing leadership qualities and fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship, Yi aims to create a generation of informed, capable, and proactive individuals who are committed to building a stronger and self-sufficient India. Through its visionary framework and unwavering dedication, Yi is shaping the leaders, builders, and innovators who will drive India's progress for years to come.

Three pillars of Yi's framework:

Youth leadership:

Yi's first pillar is rooted in the belief that leaders are not simply born; they are molded through experiences and learning. Recognizing the leadership potential within every young Indian, Yi has established a range of leadership skill development programs, personal growth initiatives, and nation-building activities.

Nation building:

The youth of India hold the responsibility of building a nation that is not only self-sufficient but also well-informed and progressive. Yi's second pillar focuses on harnessing the transformative power of the country's youth by addressing contemporary issues through various verticals.

Entrepreneurial ecosystem:

Recognizing the potential of entrepreneurship in driving economic growth and innovation, Yi's third pillar is dedicated to fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem among young Indians. This pillar reflects the organization's commitment to nurturing not only leaders but also creators and innovators who can shape India's economic landscape.

Yi Mangaluru: A dynamic and forward-thinking chapter

In the vibrant city of Mangaluru, nestled on the southwestern coast of India, the spirit of youth is a driving force for change and progress. It is within this energetic milieu that Young Indians Mangalore Chapter (Yi Mangalore) was born, thanks to the vision and determination of Gaurav Hegde. Yi Mangalore owes its existence to him. He embarked on a mission to channel the energy and talent of young individuals towards meaningful contributions to society. After thoughtful deliberation, he selected a group of young individuals who shared his passion for change and innovation. This dedicated team became the driving force behind the establishment of Yi Mangalore, and together, they set out to make a difference in their community.

Young Indians Mangaluru (Yi Mangaluru) is a dynamic and forward-thinking chapter that thrives under the capable leadership of M Athmika Amin as the Chair and CA Salome Lobo Pereira as the Co-Chair. This passionate team of young professionals is dedicated to harnessing the potential of Mangaluru's youth and driving positive change in the region. With an impressive lineup of stakeholders and a diverse range of initiatives, Yi Mangaluru is making significant strides in various sectors.

Key stakeholders

Yi Mangaluru's success is the result of a collective effort led by a dedicated group of stakeholders:

Membership: Ensuring that the chapter's membership base remains strong and engaged is the responsibility of Ar Ashrika Amin and Aditya Pai as the Chair and Co-Chair. Their commitment helps sustain the organization's growth and impact.

YUVA & Thalir: Shohan Shetty as Mentor, Durgadas Shetty as Yuva Chair, Gaana Bhat, and Anushree Shetty as Yuva Co-Chair lead initiatives aimed at nurturing young talent and addressing educational and youth-oriented issues. Not resting on their laurels of signing MoUs with 12 colleges in and around Mangaluru, Yi Mangaluru continued its quest for fruitful partnerships. Yi Mangaluru organized the Y20 dialogue event at Alva’s College of Engineering and Technology on April 29, 2023. This event, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, aimed to encourage youth involvement in policy change discussions. Students associated with Yi Mangaluru participated in panel discussions, keynotes, and interactive sessions, connecting with industry experts and entrepreneurs to brainstorm on important issues. Ullas Kamath, Founder of UK & Co, emphasized the need for youth to focus on becoming job creators rather than job seekers, investing their time and talent in pursuing goals. Industry leaders participated in panel discussions, sharing insights on reimagining business for the future. Two panels moderated by Sameeksha Shetty and Ashith Hegde, featured sustainability advocates like Divya Hegde, Dr T V Ramachandra, and Anand Malligavad, discussing strategies for consistent sustainability practices and industry names such as Raghuraj Sunder Raju, Deekshith Rai, and Anup Pai who stressed the importance of directing funds towards environmental preservation and the significance of Low Code No Code platforms for accelerated digitalization.

Rural initiative: Harsha Kamath is at the forefront of Yi Mangaluru's efforts to extend its positive impact into rural communities, contributing to their development.

Key initiatives

Yi Mangaluru's diverse range of projects and initiatives spans various critical domains:

Masoom: Under the leadership of Aditi Bansal as Chair and Abhinav Bansal as Co-Chair, Masoom is dedicated to raising awareness and preventing child sexual abuse. The awareness session conducted is a significant step forward in creating a society where children can grow up safe from harm and report timely if they are in trouble. A session on the safe use of mobiles was organized so that teenagers can navigate the digital world with confidence.

Road safety: Aajeeth Kumar spearheads efforts to improve road safety and promote tourism in the region, enhancing both local safety and economic development. Recognizing this, Chota Cop, a dedicated initiative, conducted impactful road safety sessions at several prominent schools in early 2023. These sessions aim to equip young minds with the knowledge and awareness necessary to navigate the streets safely.

Health and accessibility: Eshwar Shetty as Chair and Hari Sudan & Dr. Megha Goukul as Co-Chair are actively involved in initiatives related to healthcare and improving accessibility for all members of the community.

Climate change: Sharon D’Souza and Rishab Raj Shetty lead the charge in tackling the urgent issue of climate change, advocating for sustainable practices and environmental responsibility.

Entrepreneurship and learning: Arjun D’Souza, Chair, and CA Kedarnath Shenoy, Co-Chair, focus on fostering entrepreneurship and innovation among Mangaluru's youth, thereby driving economic growth and job creation.

Innovation: Under Madhukar Kudva and Adeeth Kalbavi’s guidance, the YI Innovation Vertical has evolved into a dynamic hub of knowledge and innovation. One of the hallmarks of the YI Innovation Vertical is its commitment to delivering high-quality interactive sessions.

Branding for Yi Mangaluru: Chair Sharan Shetty and Co-Chairs Aditya Prabhu, Ashmitha Satish, and Shreshtha Bhandary take charge of branding efforts, ensuring that Yi Mangaluru's message and impact reach a wider audience. As Young Indians (Yi) in Mangalore continue to drive impactful initiatives and contribute to the community, a strategic branding effort becomes pivotal to create awareness, establish a strong presence, and highlight the diverse range of initiatives undertaken. With their innovative and creative approach, they have taken the helm of branding through various media campaigns.

Yi Mangaluru also annually organizes "Thatasth" - a National-level Retreat Event focusing on adventure water sports, tourism, and the cultural heritage of Mangaluru city. “Thatasth,” Yi Mangaluru’s flagship event, is true to its name and spirit of Mangalore's coastal terrain and culture. The event welcomes delegates from across the country to participate in various activities.

The chapter benefits from the wisdom and guidance of experienced leaders. Ashith Hegde, Mentor, and Sameeksha Shetty as the Immediate Past Chair, provide valuable insights, while Dikshith Rai, the Charter Chairperson, serves as a mentor, offering direction and support to the team.

The significance of nurturing the potential of young Indians cannot be overstated. Yi's mission to strengthen India's future by cultivating leadership, entrepreneurship, and nation-building skills among the youth is both commendable and crucial. Through a range of initiatives and the support of committed stakeholders, the chapter is driving positive change in education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability, and more. The future of Mangaluru looks brighter with the energetic and visionary leadership of Yi Mangaluru, serving as a shining example of youth-led initiatives that are transforming communities across India. As Yi continues to provide a platform for young changemakers to voice their ideas, collaborate, and initiate positive changes, the organization plays an integral role in building a brighter and more prosperous India.

For those looking for an organization to contribute towards building a better nation while becoming a more inclusive leader, Young Indians is the platform.