Amity’s youth newspaper, The Global Times, organized the Grand Finale of the 14th edition of Youth Power-2023 Programme, a year-long social sensitising leadership programme that prepares the youth to ‘be the change’ and ‘bring change’, at Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida campus. Through its 14 years of being the tide of change, honing future leaders, and taking the world one step closer to equality for all, the programme has nurtured over 2000 changemakers and sensitised more than three lakh students on various social issues. Concluding with the Youth Power Grand Finale 2022-23, the programme brought the society one step closer to excellence by awarding and recognising changemakers.

To bring out change in the society, eleven teams from Amity school branches across Delhi-NCR and Uttar Pradesh created awareness on myriad issues such as “Helping senior citizens” (AIS Gurugram 43), “Anti-bullying” (AIS Pushp Vihar), “Sensitivity for specially-abled” (AIS VKC Lucknow), “Carbon Emissions” (AIS Gurugram 46), “Animal Cruelty” (AIS Saket), “Promoting reading habit” (AIS VYC Lucknow), “Organ Donation” (AIS Mayur Vihar), “Importance of Bees” (AIS Vasundhara 6), “Energy conservation” (AIS Jagdishpur), “Creating awareness on Hepatitis” (AIS Vasundhara 1), and “Body Positivity” (AIS Noida).

Amity International School, Pushp Vihar New Delhi, emerged as the winner of “Youth Power-2023”. The team from Amity International School Saket and Gurugram, Sector- 46 were declared first runners up, while Amity International School Noida were the second runners up. In addition, Amity International School VYC Lucknow was awarded Jury’s Special Mention Award and the other categories under which awards were given were – Best Research Strategy (AIS VKC Lucknow), Best Documentation (AIS Jagdishpur), Best Panel Discussion (AIS Pushp Vihar), Best Community Outreach (AIS Gurugram 46), Best Social Implementation (AIS Vasundhara 1), Best Social Media Engagement (AIS Saket), Best Awareness Movie (AIS Gurugram 43), Best Presentation (AIS Vasundhara 6), Most Impactful Answer (AIS Mayur Vihar), and Creativity For Cause (AIS VYC Lucknow). The award for Best Mentor Teachers went to Ms. Deepika Bailey from AIS Gurugram 46 and Ms. Smita Bhardwaj from AIS Noida.

The spirit of the occasion soared high as the event was judged by an eminent jury Dr Amitabh Singh, Associate Professor, Department of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Dr Neha Sharma, Senior Manager – Content & Curriculum, Arpan NGO.

Lauding the students’ efforts, Mr. Ayushman Jamwal, Senior News Editor and Anchor, CNN-News 18, averred, “All of you are so many miles ahead of what we were when we were in school. This level of engagement on such burning issues is commendable. It is impressive to see such mature discussions on such pressing topics taking place at the level of students and not just newsrooms.”” He called upon the students to hold on to their creativity and never lose their zeal, enthusiasm and zest for issues close to their heart.

Congratulating the students and teachers, Dr. Amita Chauhan, Chairperson, Amity International Schools, said, “It is a proud moment for all of us as our students showcased relevant prevalent issues, through creativity and innovation. The Global Times was started with the aim of nurturing young talent and providing them a platform to showcase their writing skills. Success comes to those who never give up and the Youth Power warriors will build a new India that will touch new heights of success, contributing immensely to nation-building.”

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Balvinder Shukla, Vice Chancellor, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, said, “This is a great initiative by Amity Schools under the visionary leadership of Dr. Amita Chauhan ma’am. Great education along with strong emphasis is imparted by Amity and this event is a testimony of the human values being imbibed in the students who are working for various causes through their creative innovations.”

Introducing the concept and ideology of Youth Power, Mrs.  Vira Sharma, Managing Editor, The Global Times, said, “An ingenious initiative of Dr. (Mrs) Amita Chauhan, Chairperson, Amity Group of Schools and RBEF, Youth Power is not only the most extensive and elaborate school sensitizing programme, but also one that deftly trains the youngsters of today to ‘Be the Change’ and ‘Bring Change’. Synchronizing the vision of our Founder President, Dr Ashok K. Chauhan, the programme, since its inception in 2018, has sensitized and trained innumerable students to be socially conscientious leaders, who will make the country a superpower.”

The event was also graced by Mrs. Divya Chauhan, Chairperson, Amity School of Fine Arts and Amity School of Fashion Technology, Mrs. Jaishree Chauhan, Vice President, Amity Finishing School, who were present as esteemed dignitaries, along with the Principals of all Amity International Schools.  

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