by Shanku Sharma
Umeedd has been doing a stupendous work. The way its members are working towards making people aware about CSA, is commendable and praiseworthy.
Remember Mani Ratnam’s Yuva (2004)? It was about a group of individuals willing to bring revolutionary changes in the society around them. That was reel world.
Now cut to the real world. There is a group of young individuals (based in Silchar, Cachar district in the state of Assam) who, like the characters in Yuva, are willing to bring a change in the society.
The change, however, will occur slowly but surely. These group of individuals (young guns) belong to an NGO, which is different and lack the characteristics of a typical NGO. ‘Umeedd A Better Tomorrow’ – is the name of that out-of-the-box NGO, which from its inception in the year 2014, has never looked back.
The word ‘Umeedd’ stands for hope and the phrase ‘A Better Tomorrow’ alone speak volumes about the aims and objectives of this NGO. Of late, Umeedd, one of the most popular NGOs of Silchar, of late, is focusing on minimising Child Sex Abuse (CSA) by spreading awareness among people about CSA through various forms of art, culture and music.
Umeedd’s street-play ‘Chitkar Kor Meye’ was about the evil effects of eve-teasing in the society. They conducted the street-play at some important points of Silchar. Most of the performers were students who volunteered this campaign against eve-teasing and sexual harassments. The play was directed by Anindya Sen, then assistant lecturer at the department of English, Assam University, Silchar.
Umeedd also came up with counseling and practical sessions on self-defence for girls and women of the town of Silchar. This unique way of educating the masses (of Barak Valley at least) about CSA has been Umeedd’s USP. The marriage of knowledge and art-culture-music to create awareness on CSA has been well-admired and well-appreciated.
From the very beginning, Umeedd has been organising seminars, street plays, live-sessions and interactive sessions on CSA and child pornography. They are hopeful that their efforts will bring a change in the people’s outlook, attitude and behaviour towards the children.
Umeedd has been doing a stupendous work. The way its members are working towards making people aware about CSA, is commendable and praiseworthy.
One of the most striking features of the NGO is that it’s members are talented, hard-working and above all determined to do something for the people and the society. They work for various causes and for uplift of the society.
Umeedd was founded by its present president Shamik Chanda, cultural activist, social worker, dance artiste, on September 12, 2014. He being an amiable and amicable boy, has been leading his team to bring positive changes in the society.
The article is a guest post published by Millichronicle to support and promote Umeedd and its activities.
