The younger generation has the opportunity to propel the society into a higher stature by breaking down the barriers that cause social injustices. Yuva Unstoppable is one such force which relies on the strength of its volunteers and the power of its youth to bring about a positive change in the society. In 2019, Yuva Unstoppable has been chosen as the Charity of the year for the 19th Asian Achievers Awards. Over the years, the awards have raised more than £1.5mn for selected charities.
What started in 2005 with a small group of enthusiastic individuals who strongly and deeply believed in the power of youth, has today mobilised more than 1,50,000 youngsters touching the lives of over 500,000 people across the country.
Amongst the many initiatives that Yuva undertakes, is the evolution program wherein it partners with philanthropists, social entrepreneurs and corporate houses to improve the basic infrastructural amenities such as drinking water, urinals, wash areas and the classrooms, of municipal schools thus improving the lives of the children, especially the daughters making them more self-reliant, encouraging them to educate themselves, learn and participate in classes and workshops in various subjects improving their skills and their self-esteem. Since the inception of this project in 2013 it has transformed over 800 extremely poor government schools across India.
Yuva Unstoppable partners with 100 top institutes for impactful CSR and have transformed 800 municipal schools & 500,000 kids across 14 States in India. There are 1.1mn schools in India and more than 50% still don’t have toilets for the girl child.
From Cricketers VVS Laxman, Sir Ian Botham to Sehwag; Superstars Akshay Kumar; Film Directors R Balki & Rakeysh Mehra are proactively involved in Yuva’s efforts. Actor Ashton Kutcher’s A-Plus Media and Chicken Soup for the soul made a 4 min short film around how Yuva empowers women across India by improving toilets and educational facilities in school. It was premiered at the Yale CEO Summit 2017 in NYC with CEOs of iconic companies like Merck, Wells Fargo, Dunkin Donuts, IBM etc.
Yuva Unstoppable also won the coveted IBM Impact award for 2017 to improve their social media and corporate communications. Amitabh Shah, Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer at Yuva Unstoppable was the 2015 winner of the Prince’s prize for innovative philanthropy, conferred by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco wherein Jack Ma of Alibaba Group was a semi finalist.
Speaking to Asian Voice, Mr Shah said, “None of us would account to much without clean Toilets, Water and Digital Literacy. Every child deserves access to tha above. We have seen a tremendous increase in health, attendance and academic outcomes by making this small but impactful changes in existing government schools. We have completed 950 schools & we will not stop till we upgrade 10,000 schools with sanitation & technology. We are grateful to Asian Acheivers Awards for caring about these less privileged children and making Yuva the Charity this year.”
