A list of Bangalore-based Shivangini Arora’s (23) achievements would require many more pages than the editor of EducationWorld could possibly spare. With a passion for media and journalism, Arora has freelanced for numerous youth publications in India and abroad including Teens Today, Bangalore Times, Mcube, Levis Cool Coed and Talent Asia.

“I admire communicative prose and oratory prowess and I feel quite comfortable in the print medium or on stage,” she says. That’s why for several years Arora has been active in competitive debates, even winning the IIM All-India fest. Anchoring and emceeing come naturally to her and she has compered more than 80 live events for Levis, IBM, Olympus, Mercedes and hosted corporate shows, brand launches, events and concerts.

Arora believes that “youth in India need more platforms for expression than are currently available.” That’s why she sent in an essay on issues concerning Indian youth which has earned her an entry into the International Youth Forum (IYP) debate on Sustainable Futures Forum 2004 organised by Oxfam in Sydney, Australia next month (July). Surviving a rigorous weeding out process, she was one of 250 selected from among 2,000 applicants from 163 countries. “IYP 2004 will be a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded young people from around the world. It’s an assembly of young leaders who will discuss issues such as HIV and AIDS, peace building, labour, employment, and education,” says Arora who will present a paper on youth employment, youth trends and attitudes and related issues.

That’s not all this young achiever has to look forward to. She has recently been selected by the Sauv Scholars Foundation to participate in a nine-month learning programme in media and journalism. She is one of 14, and possibly the first woman from India to be awarded a $30,000 (Rs.13.5 lakh) scholarship to McGill University, Canada for the programme. “I expect to learn about broadcasting and media from different perspectives,” she says.

Positive and proactive in her outlook, Arora is on track to a successful career in broadcasting and media. In a young nation 55 percent of the population is below 34 years of age” ruled by the aged, that’s a rational, indeed a laudable ambition.

Arshiya Urveeja Bose (Bangalore)