ITC announces Classmate Ideas for India Challenge

The nation-wide programme aims to engage youngsters in the age group of 14-21 years, inviting them to discuss transformational ideas for India

The ITC group completed 100 years of existence this August. As part of the centenary celebrations, its education and stationery products brand, Classmate, has launched a unique programme -- Classmate Ideas for India.

The nation-wide programme aims to engage youngsters in the age group of 14-21 years, inviting ideas from them that have the potential to transform the India of tomorrow.

Classmate Ideas for India challenge will reach out to 25 lakh students across 30 cities, 500 schools and 200 colleges. The challenge will provide these students a platform to express their ideas for India in the spheres of science and technology, environment protection, education, social and religious tolerance, infrastructure build-up, and emerging India.

This is how the event will unfold. Students need to submit their entries by September 30. These entries will then be evaluated by a central jury panel in Mumbai, and the results will be declared on October 15.

The top 500 ideas will be selected for the next level, where the participants will be required to make a detailed presentation on their ideas. This level will be held in 10 centres across the country in November. One winner from each centre and one overall wild card entry, through a voting process, will be selected for the National Level in December. Of these 11 finalists, the top five will be awarded as winners of the challenge.

The finalists will be given an internship with the relevant programme partners, besides cash prizes and other rewards. Additionally, the top five winners will be sent for a one-week international study tour. This was announced yesterday at a press conference where brand ambassador, Soha Ali Khan was also present.

The ideas will be judged by the programme partners, along with the brand ambassadors of Classmate. Eminent personalities of the country, such as heads of institutions, politicians, social activists and sportsmen will also be part of the jury.

The programme partners include CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, WWF-India, Tony Blair Faith Foundation, Janaagraha and Akshaya Patra.

Chand Das, chief executive officer, Education & Stationery Products Business (ESPB), ITC, says, "Today's youth is not just imaginative and creative, but also equally opinionated on issues that challenge growth and development of the country. They want to be taken as serious partners in the nation building process, shaping the India of their dreams."

The planning of the event started in May this year. The event has been ideated and is being executed by Krayon Events. It is also being partnered by the ITC Welcomgroup and Travel House. Tabassum Modi, director, Edumedia, Krayon tells afaqs!, "This event is not just another essay competition; it actually gives youngsters a chance to make their idea for India become a reality." She adds that students can participate in individual capacity, and do not need permission from their school/college to be a part of the event.

"Also, the gratification of a one-month internship is a very big draw for youngsters. The level of exposure that the selected students will get is going to widen their horizon, help their overall growth and development and empower them to make a difference to our country," says Modi.