The Tale of the Pigeons and the Net
Once upon a time, a flock of pigeons flew together, searching for food. They found grains scattered on the ground, unaware it was a hunter’s trap. As soon as they landed, they were ensnared in a net. Panic set in, but their leader urged them to flap their wings together. With their synchronised effort, they lifted the net and escaped. The lesson? Collective action and unity can overcome even the toughest challenges.
The Power of Active Citizenship
India is at a turning point. Our democracy and economy thrive only when people take charge of their communities and the future. ACTiZEN is more than a programme – it is a movement that turns awareness into action. Regardless of their background, every person has the power to create meaningful change.
Democracy isn’t just about elections. It’s about stepping up – helping neighbours, questioning authorities, and building grassroots solutions. Today’s youth are proving that engagement doesn’t start in government halls but in classrooms, neighbourhoods, and small acts of leadership.
ACTiZEN fosters collective action. This means that young minds are solving problems, running environmental drives, and advocating for better governance. These aren’t just students; they are changemakers, one step at a time, shaping a better tomorrow.
Transforming Society Through Participation
Consider India’s street vendors, who are marginalised and struggling against regulations. But when citizens raised their voices, policies changed, proving that ownership of community problems leads to lasting solutions.
The Panchatantra story of “The Doves and the Ant” reminds us that even small supportive acts have a lasting impact. As an ant helped a dove to escape a hunter by biting the man’s foot, minuscule individual efforts can create significant change. Across India, students are driving waste segregation programmes, raising sustainability awareness, and pushing for community policy changes. Such initiatives create ripples that transform societies.
A Movement for Sustainable Progress
Imagine an India where every citizen takes responsibility for their surroundings, where young leaders act instead of waiting for permission, where civic responsibility and economic opportunity thrive together. Whether tackling pollution, improving education, or supporting local businesses, an engaged society creates change beyond what measures by the government can achieve.
A group of students saw their city drowning in waste. Instead of waiting for officials, they partnered with local recyclers, set up collection points, and educated their community. Their actions not only cleaned up their neighbourhood but also generated income. This echoes the wisdom of “The Monkey and the Crocodile”, where intelligence and resourcefulness overcame obstacles. The monkey was riding on the crocodile in a river, when he was told by the crocodile that he would have to drown him and take out his heart. Reacting quickly, the monkey said he had left his heart on a tree. The crocodile turned back to the riverbank, and the monkey jumped on the tree to safety. Similarly, by thinking ahead and acting wisely, the students turned a crisis into an opportunity for sustainable growth.
The Centre for Civil Society Academy is training the next generation of free-market liberals, equipping young minds with the principles of economic freedom and policy advocacy. A nation where citizens are economically empowered and civically engaged is one that thrives.
The Road Ahead: A Call for Action
The future isn’t something we wait for – it’s what we build. It’s time for us to take responsibility, speak up, and act. Schools, families, and communities must nurture a culture where responsibility isn’t a duty but a way of life. If we want a better India, we must create one conversation, one action, one step at a time.
Just like the flock of pigeons who flapped their wings together to escape the hunter’s trap, we too must rise collectively. Alone, problems may seem insurmountable, but together, we can lift barriers and build a nation that thrives on unity, resilience, and shared responsibility.
One thought of Mr Vallabh Bhanshali (founder of Desh Apnayen) stays with me: “The future of our nation lies in the hands of its citizens”. Every act of kindness, every push for change, every moment of courage lays the foundation for a stronger, fairer India. The time to act is now. The only question is – will you step up?
Dr. Amit Chandra is the CEO of the Centre for Civil Society (CCS), which advances social change through public policy. His expertise lies in research and advocacy, with a deep focus on school education, urban livelihoods, and governance.