SBI Initiative Urges Youth to Become Change Agents in India; Invites Applications for Fellowship Programme

BANGALORE, May 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Prior to joining the State Bank of India (SBI) Youth for India fellowship programme, Bharat Vineeth worked in the IT industry at Bangalore. But, with an unwavering passion to help the needy, Vineeth, a MBA and engineering degree holder - took a sabbatical and set out to make a change. He applied for the SBI Youth for India Fellowship.

With a high percentage of malnourishment among children and several incidences of midday meal food poisoning due to stale food at an anganwadi (primary school) in Jeypore, Odisha, Vineeth, during his fellowship, came up with a simple but effective solution.

Midday meals served at the anganwadi were affected not only due to unavailability of food sometimes, but also because of food practices of the tribals. The nearest market was 15 kms. away and villagers did not grow their own vegetables. Vineeth took up the cause and convinced students and authorities to set up a kitchen garden. Implementation of best gardening practices resulted in the garden producing over 30 kgs. of fresh supply every month. The fresh produce could be used for the midday meals to help the students get better nutrition.

Like Vineeth, many Indian youth are passionate about causes and want to bring about a change in the lives of the rural community. Giving them an opportunity to realize their dream of transforming lives, the 'SBI Youth for India' initiative is inviting applications from creative and motivated Indian youth and NRIs.

The programme, a CSR initiative managed by SBI in partnership with reputed NGOs, gives fellows a platform to equip themselves with skills and tools, setting in motion a lasting shift in their ability to empower others. Fellows will have an opportunity to work on a variety of projects with partner NGOs across 10 states at 35 locations. Fellows can either choose to work on an existing project of a partner NGO or can implement a new idea.
Endorsing the ambitious initiative, Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus, Tata Sons, said, "Each one of you who participates in this would probably be doing far more in that year than you may have the satisfaction of doing in five years in another kind of profession."

Candidates interested in the fellowship should apply only through the website at http://www.youthforindia.org/. Last date for submission is June 10, 2015.