National Youth Conference
On

"Youth for Socio-Political Changes in India"

to

at

1. Politics of Development
2. Politics with Principles
3. The Leadership Challenge
4. Reforming India's Democracy
5. Role of Youth in Socio-Political Transformation

Yugaantar: The Conference as suggested by the title itself aims towards providing solutions for varied social and political dilemmas that India faces in its quest to achieve the super-power status. Deliberation has already taken place on the problems and issues that plague a developing nation like ours. What this conference looks forward to are concrete solutions and recommendations to address concerns of leadership, morality in the political sphere, politics for development as against politics of religion, democratic and electoral reforms and challenges faced by the nation in the wake of a globalized economic and political system. The themes charted out are in keeping with the current crisis which looms large on a nation which is yet to utilize its full potential. The conference is a platform for young innovators and thought-provokers to ignite their minds as they contemplate the vision of a developed India. The conference also marks the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of the visionary founder of the M.S.University of Baroda ... Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III.

1. Politics of Development - The politics of development - as against the politics of votes – seeks to realize the greatest good of all, the participation and the upliftment of all sections of the Indian society. The papers under this sub-theme should critically analyze the existing patterns of socio-economic development and explore alternative visions of an inclusive and sustainable development model.

2. Politics with Principles - Perhaps the greatest crisis of Indian politics today concerns the steep erosion of moral values and ethics in our public life. Rampant corruption and criminalization are leading to disillusionment among the masses. The papers under this sub-theme should throw light on strategies to bring about qualitative change in our public life that puts morals at the forefront.

3. The Leadership Challenge - Effective and visionary leadership is the driver of all social and political transformation. Unfortunately, Indian society and politics are experiencing a deeper malaise with very few leaders of vision, courage, principles and commitment left to choose from. The papers under this sub-theme should explore the root causes of leadership crisis and suggest ways to nurture leaders for the future.

4. Reforming India’s Democracy - While our economic system underwent a series of reforms after 1991, the political and legal systems still suffer from several drawbacks. Democratic functioning ought to be de-centralized, transparent, accountable and people-friendly. The papers under this sub-theme should come up with innovative solutions for democratic reforms.

5. Role of Youth in Socio-Political Transformation - India has the world’s largest youth population. However, the educated youth of late is becoming apathetic towards the surrounding challenges and its responsibilities in the process of social transformation. The papers under this sub-theme should introspect the role of the youth for social and national development of the country in this globalized era.

Contacts :
Dr. Kashyapi Avasthi +91-9723312272, Chirayu Pandit +91-8000137555
e-mail: yugaantar@ymail.com


ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION

Entries for the conference will be purely institutional and only bona fide and full-time students from undergraduate to doctoral degree levels are eligible to take part in the convention.

The papers can be written and presented either in Hindi or English. However, a soft copy of the Hindi font type should be submitted along with the paper written in Hindi, failing which the paper is liable to be rejected. The word limit for the abstract is 250 words while the full paper should not exceed 2500 words.

The first page of the paper should contain the title of the paper, the sub-theme in which it falls, brief details of the author with e-mail id and telephone/mobile number. No personal details about the author or the university/college should be written on the subsequent pages to maintain anonymity during the process of evaluation.

CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT

All the conference papers will be assessed on the basis of cumulative weightage given to: originality and practicability of thoughts and principles; ownership; thoroughness; relevance; and independency of thought. All invited participants will receive certificate and memento as token of appreciation. The best presenters under each theme will be awarded with a shield and certificate.

LAST DATE OF REGISTRATION AND RECEIPT OF PAPERS

The participants should send their registration forms duly signed by the head / dean / director / principal of the institute along with the hard copy of the paper at the following address:Shree Jigar Inamdar, Coordinator, Yugaantar - 2012, University Head Office, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara 390002 Gujarat.

An advance soft copy should be sent to the organizers at the email address before the due date. In case of any postal delays, your papers will only be considered if you have timely send an advance copy. selected candidates will be informed by 25th of December 2011.

A demand draft of Rs. 250/- (per member including the accompanying staff) of any nationalized or scheduled bank payable at Vadodara drawn in favour of The Registrar, The M.S. University of Baroda and the Registration Form as per the format should be sent to the Coordinator, Yugaantar -2012 at the above address.

The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU) is at the heart of the Vadodara city. Established in 1949, it was groomed by visionary minds like Sri Aurobindo, Prof. I G Patel, Padma Bhushan Dr. Subramaniam, Padma Bhushan Dr. R C Mehta and others. Its luminary alumni include Acharya Vinoba Bhave, Dada Saheb Phalke, Sri Rang Avdhoot, Sri Kakasaheb Kalelkar, Dr. K M Munshi, Sam Pitroda, Nobel Laureate Dr. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan and many others. The city of Vadodara too has a rich historical background of over 2000 years and is known as the cultural capital of Gujarat.

Safe and decent accommodation along with breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided for all the participants. Separate arrangements will be made for the stay of women participants.