People’s Participation for Sustainable Development of Cities and Citizens

Department of Social Work, Pooja Bhagwat Memorial Mahajana Postgraduate Center in collaboration with Grassroots Research and Advocavey Movement (GRAAM) Hanss Seidel Foundation (HSF), Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA) had conducted a ‘Governance Talk Series’ on the subject “People’s Participation for Sustainable Development of Cities and Citizens” as part of ‘Youth for Governance Fellowship Mysore 2023’.

Only when the youth are physically and mentally strong, they can reach their goals, and only when the attitude of the youth to involve themselves in the political & Governance system increases, a good social status will be achieved, said the Honorable Mayor of Mysuru Mr. Shivakumar, he addressed the youth in the ‘Governance Talk Series’ programme held at Mahajana PG Centre, Mysuru. While speaking Shivakumar said, Youth should develop the right to speak which is one of the rights in a democratic system. India is composed of more youth and should develop a spirit of participation and questioning only then a better society can be seen. However, the recent youths are not interested in anything, they are not aware of the political system and they are losing interest as well as the participation is declining, he expressed regret.

In the conversation, senior social activist and former president of Mysore Consumer Council, Dr. Bhami V. Shenai said that the participation of Mysore youth in governance is very low. He called upon the youth to be actively involved in the issues of urban governance in the city such as encroachment of parks, conservation of Chamundi hills, revitalization of Kukkarahalli lake, adequate footpaths, garbage disposal etc.

Manjunath HL, Program manager, Civic Partnership of Janaagraha, informed the youth about the local government and explained its importance. He emphasized the importance of the duty and performance of the Mysore City Corporation in providing infrastructure to the urban residents.

National Green Skills Committee (CII-IGB) Chairman Shri K. Shriram said we are currently in an excellent position to find solutions to complement the government’s efforts for sustainable development for students. He said that the challenges in the complex machinery of government are huge and youth have every right to criticize.

Executive Director of Gram (GRAAM) Dr. Basavaraju R Shrestha moderated the panel discussion and he spoke about the purpose of the Youth for Governance Fellowship program and called upon the youth to create a better opportunity only when they youth develop the spirit of participation in large numbers. He said that Mysore was the first to celebrate the People’s Representation Act, he inspired the youth by recalling the words of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, ‘Be the Change you wish to see in the world”.

Dr. C.K Renukarya, Director of Pooja Bhagwat Memorial Mahajana Post Graduate Center, who presided over the program, warned that young people are prone to accidents if they do not follow the traffic rules framed by the government and advised them to follow traffic rules. He also guided the youth to actively participate in governance in which the role of the youth is crucial to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

At the end of the program the platform was opened for interaction with the students. Students of the college participated in the conversation by asking questions. Head MSW Department of Pooja Bhagwat Memorial Mahajana Postgraduate Center and co-ordinator of the programme Dr. Bhavana, welcomed everyone. Students of various departments, faculty and staff members of the college participated. Sri Vijay KM, Sri Bhagwan Bidarkote, Jyoti Dabas and Bindu S from GRAAM were present in the program along with Y4G fellows.