COIMBATORE: People of Coimbatore travel worldwide, take their business to different countries, and bring foreign buyers to this city. When a visitor flies down what is the impression that he gets about a place marketed so much? Is it a sleepy town with congested roads or is it one that offers an enriching experience?

Some of the young citizens have a vision to improve life for every citizen and visitor to this self-made city, and enable it to have a space for everything at world-class standards - ranging from business and art to self-improvement.

Shankar Vanavarayar, Coimbatore chairman of the Young Indians (Yi), an integral part of the Confederation of Indian Industry, told The Hindu here on Tuesday that the chapter had plans to implement a couple of such initiatives this year.

One was to have an interaction with all departments of governance - police, local body, airport, etc., and give suggestions to improve the city. This would also enable them to know from the officials what was expected from the youngsters. One such session was held with the police recently. These suggestions would be on simple measures such as kiosks in the airport.

The other effort was to organise a Coimbatore fest. This would be a weeklong programme in which the Yi would be a platform agency, and about 20 agencies would be involved to organise programmes related to art, heritage, culture, and entertainment. "This will be a signature project," he said.

The Yi also planned to adopt a village in the district. This one-year activity would see the Yi partner with different agencies to provide health, education, employment and hygiene in the village. It would be a holistic approach and "this is a give-back project that we are considering," he said.

The Yi Net (programme with schools and colleges), Yi Learning and focus on environment, health and education would be the other areas of activities this year. The Coimbatore chapter also wanted to organise study tours to foreign destinations this year.

With about 75 members, all aged between 25 and 40, from Coimbatore, Tirupur, Pollachi and Salem, the Coimbatore chapter of the Yi plans to cross the 100 mark this year and extend to a wider net of professionals.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail