Young Turk in UN leadership forum at NY
HYDERABAD: Enamoured by Indian History and words of MK Gandhi, Sudheer Bandigari is now inching towards being the ‘change you wish to see in the world”. The 26-year-old is representing India at the United Nations Youth Assembly, Winter 2017, from February 1-3, 2017, at the UN Headquarters, in the New York City.
Sudheer who is also the vice-president for Telangana State Unit of National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), and is already in the US, says he has begun preparation for the big day.
“I plan to focus on inclusive education, the Right to Education Act 2009, its impact and implementation. I also have suggestions for improvement of literacy rates through technology and virtual class rooms,” he shares and adds that proposals on using young folks as resources for implementing UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their involvement in policy making will also be put forth.
Sudheer who was the first delegate to be selected for this season’s Assembly, says he is excited to represent the country. “I am fortunate to get such an opportunity.
But at the same time it is also a big responsibility,” he adds solemnly. The student leader says the opportunity will also broaden his horizon as he will meet 500 young leaders from the world and get a glimpse of policies in their countries. Post the session, Sudheer will also visit the United Nations General Assembly in 2017.
Sudheer, who realised early that to improve oneself, you have to improve the society, decided to get into campus politics. “At certain point I started noticing faults in society. I realised that politics frames the nation’s future. India has got the greatest democracy, but when the youth don’t take your part in it, it is not possible to see the progress,” he rues. This, motivated him to address student
issues, fight against the government for the scholarships, work for implementation of RTE, file RTI’s against various institutions regarding the RTE and also lend support for the Telangana agitation too.
So how does the Young Turk think participating at the world forum will further his political aspirations?
Sudheer shares, “I believe attending the Assembly will broaden my horizon both at professional and personal levels. But more than my career I want to do more for the society because I am a staunch believer of the fact that educated youth is what this nation needs for its progress. In the dark mist of never-ending poverty and illiteracy there is a need of a new dawn, which educated youngsters are capable of bringing.”