Injot Trust takes novel initiative to empower Adivasi youth

GUWAHATI: Privileges of birth, which many communities can take for granted, are not accessible to Adivasis in Assam. Even if one manages to complete their schooling or higher education, there is acute lack of exposure, mentorship, life skills training, and interventions that can address generational trauma. Guwahati based non-profit organization Injot Trust has set out to mitigate this gap through a pioneering youth mentorship program, Sanghe Urab.

Sanghe Urab means 'let's fly together' in Sadri language - the lingua franca of Adivasis in Assam. The program comprises four phases - the first three phases were conducted online for 40 participants who were chosen amongst hundred odd applicants. The converging final phase is being conducted as a three-day residential program in Kaziranga, Golaghat district from October 13 to October 16, 2021, stated a press release.

Phase 1 of Sanghe Urab was a series of five online workshops around the theme 'Self, Identity and Community' which were conducted by facilitators and experts based in India as well as USA. During this phase discussions explored individual identity and its relationship with community identity. The sessions also explored and informed about Adivasi culture, language, visual art and the significance of indigenous practices rooted in the concept of conservation of nature and its resources, in today's times. Phase 2 had the theme 'Social Justice - Vocabulary, Tools and Strategies'. The five online sessions focused on understanding the environment of social justice and how to approach the idea of social equality and equity through non-violent and collaborative methods. Along with that, sessions were conducted on Land Matters - a subject that is of great relevance for the Adivasi community of Assam. Phase 3 focused on 'Career Goals and Employability' during which skills training and familiarisation was provided in the areas of time management and prioritisation, understanding conflict and relationship building, resume writing, understanding impact of our digital footprint amongst others.

Sanghe Urab is a first of its kind program that has created a platform for Adivasi youth to interact with experts and facilitators from diverse professional backgrounds - from senior government officials to social development workers, RTI activists, corporate professionals, entrepreneurs, community mobilisers, conflict management experts, indigenous culture and heritage experts amongst many more. Injot's founder director Anjali Tirkey feels that it is one small step taken to provide the Adivasi youth of Assam the much-needed exposure, build critical thinking skills and communication skills to present their needs to the accurate agency. Sanghe Urab is also a process of building a community of youth who intend to practice individual leadership as well as work towards bringing positive changes in the community.

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