Yuvoday 2.0: Strengthening Youth Participation in Bastar’s Development

District Collector, Zila Panchayat CEO and Assistant Collector interact directly with Yuvoday volunteers

Bastar, 10 September 2026: A meaningful interaction between the district administration and young volunteers marked the Yuvoday 2.0 workshop, aimed at enabling young people to play an active role in the development of their villages and communities. District Collector Mr Akash Chhikara, IAS, Zila Panchayat CEO Mr Tanmay Khanna, IAS, and Assistant Collector Mr Yashwant Nayak, IAS, interacted with volunteers, listened to their experiences and aspirations, and discussed the role young people can play in bringing positive change in their communities.

Mr Chhikara asked volunteers what volunteering meant to them and how the experience had influenced their lives. Young people shared that working with communities had helped build their confidence, communication skills and connection with people. The Collector encouraged them to use their energy, local understanding and community connections as a force for positive change in their villages.

Mr Tanmay Khanna and Mr Yashwant Nayak also shared their own experiences of volunteering and social engagement. They encouraged young people to understand local challenges, explore solutions and work alongside the district administration on development priorities.

The workshop also included an open conversation on mental health and well-being, providing volunteers a space to share their perspectives and experiences.

Speaking about the journey of Yuvoday, Mr Abhishek Singh, Social and Behaviour Change Specialist, UNICEF, shared that the initiative began in September 2020. Under Yuvoday 2.0, the role of volunteers will go beyond mobilising people for campaigns and activities. Young people will be encouraged to understand challenges in their villages, engage with communities, identify behaviours and barriers influencing these challenges, and contribute to locally relevant solutions.

Mr Manas Banerjee from Chhattisgarh Agricon Samiti highlighted the role of the volunteer network in connecting young people with communities and the district administration. UNICEF and Chhattisgarh Agricon Samiti are providing technical support to strengthen this engagement and build the capacities of volunteers to contribute meaningfully to local development.

Yuvoday 2.0 seeks to bring together youth energy, administrative support and community participation to accelerate positive and sustainable change across Bastar.