The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Team Gen Next takes to social service

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 03, 2006

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Team Gen Next takes to social service

K. Venkateshwarlu

A DUMPING YARD: It is only the garbage dump that remains in the Zilla Parishad High School in Rasoolpura slum that is to be adopted by `Bhumi'.

HYDERABAD: If you thought generation next and techies are patently careerist, highly materialistic, lead hi-fi lifestyle, love to spend weekends at pubs and care two hoots for social concerns, stop typecasting.

Meet Rakesh working for Oracle, Rahul for Bose, Divya for Accenture and Mujeeb, a businessman, and other like-minded youth. Idealism in a market-driven era may sound anachronistic, but these highly motivated youth want to show that it is still not extinct.

Hailing from varied backgrounds, they have come together online to work for a common goal of "bringing about a large scale transformation in the country through integrated development programmes," through their NGO Bhumi. An associate of Bharat Uday Mission floated by a group of IITians, Bhumi was formed by these youth "disillusioned with the current political set-up". They intend to quit their jobs and devote full time to social causes.

On a misty Sunday morning, when most youngsters would like to laze on beds, they assembled at Osmania General Hospital and with help of medicos, removed garbage, cleaned up floors, walls, kitchen and toilets.

Next task

Their next task is adoption of Rasoolpura slum for "holistic and integrated development" through educational, health and livelihood initiatives. The launch is interestingly scheduled for August 15, to be precise, "at the stroke of midnight". "We believe that such an activity will truly compliment the spirit and responsibility that come with Independence Day," says Rakesh.

Work would begin with a compound wall around the local Zilla Parishad High School premises, now lying in a neglected state.

The school was originally spread over 6,000 square yards, but shrunk to 2,000 square yards after encroachments. The remaining open space has become a dumping ground. Miscreants use the space for gambling and drinking.

"We want to check this menace by constructing a wall. Along with 400 volunteers, we want to mobilise local people and pool in resources. Next, we want to improve the school infrastructure, start a resource centre and see that all the 20,000 child labourers in the slum get back to school," says Mujeeb, president.

Those interested in doing their bit could get in touch with the group on info.bhumi@gmail.com or on mobile 9849211083.

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