SAMJHO TOH EXPRESS is a unique initiative of Commutiny — the Youth Collective (CYC) to explore cross- border friendships and relations. CYC’s associate coordinators Aparna ravi & Saudamani pandey, in an interview with mishika bangia, say the effort is to create a ‘5th space’ where young people take a journey from self to society, talk about their experience and the importance of freedom of choice while making friends.
What is the objective of Samjho Toh Express?
This is an initiative of ComMutiny —The Youth Collective and its forum members to explore cross-border friendships and engage young people on issues of social inclusion in order to build vibrant systems across India. The Samjho Toh Express journey looks at amplifying, nurturing and creating safer spaces for young people. The objective is to engage young leaders and youth led organisations on issues of social exclusion, to enable a range of stakeholders like youth collectives, civil society groups and media groups to expand and strengthen the concept of a ‘5th space’ and to activate social media engagements and friendships beyond borders or labels.
How did you come up with the idea for the campaign?
We took Samjhauta Express as a metaphor for exploring cross border friendships beyond labels and voices of young people about stereotypes they hold for the ‘other’ (people from different background). The phrase Samjho Toh is about understanding the ‘other’ and ‘Express’ stands for expressions (through murals), opinions and journeys (including metro rides, walkathon, cyclathon and claiming public spaces). For the same, we put up advertisements in Delhi Metro and auto-rickshaws in Lucknow. These ads were displayed to collect responses and opinions of general public around the idea of social inclusion.
What are the stereotypes you tackled on the way?
This story is from the October 31 2016 edition of Tehelka.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 31 2016 edition of Tehelka.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Why Did Ratan Tata Feel Compelled To Take Charge Again?
Did Cyrus Mistry fall victim to an ossified corporate culture or did he violate Tata Sons’ ethos and culture? MG BanGa tells the story so far.
Misguided Youths Or Trained Terrorists?
As part of a dangerous trend emerging across the world, homegrown ISIL sympathisers are willing and attempting to carry out deadly terror attacks without any comprehensive support system.
Indian Railways: Living In Dreams
Indian Railways is changing track, giving up its separate Budget and experimenting with surge pricing on three popular trains. That leaves the behemoth with no funds to replace ageing assets and encourage further investments.
Priyanka Gandhi Agreed To Play Bigger Role In UP
Further delay in decision making could be detrimental to the party’s goal to rejuvenate its prospects in the State Assembly elections.
Mission 2019: Banega Swachh India?
Two years ago, Modi kicked off a cleanliness drive in a spectacular way. Showing the contrast between world cities and Gurgaon, MG BANGA suggests ways in which the mission can be accomplished by 2019.
The Goodwill Enjoyed By Mehabooba Mufti Has Been Erased!
Mehbooba Mufti risks losing her popularity and irking her party ranks by using New Delhi’s rulebook to deal with the unrest in Kashmir.
Is China's Support To Pakistan, Big Threat To India?
New Delhi needs to be cautious as in Pakistan’s scheme of things, strategic ties with China can serve as a powerful weapon to deal with adversaries like India.
UP's Finances Make Yogi Walk A Tight Rope
The government machinery is trying to deliver its best due to meagre financial resources.
Wooing With Farm Waivers
Taking a cue from Uttar Pradesh, more state governments including Maharashtra and Punjab could waive offloans to farmers to woo rural voters in the run-up to the 2019 general election.
Punjab CM's Unwelcoming Sajjan Wasn't A Kind Gesture
Amarinder shoots himself in the foot by refusing to meet Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan, who met Haryana CM and promised to increase bilateral businesses and also talked to SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar.
