Preparations on in full swing for Tata Jagriti Yatra 2008 event. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, Jan. 5: The Tata Group and ex-IITians have come together to promote entrepreneurship among youth.

Jagriti, a Mumbai-based NGO founded by ex-IITians, organised the Tata Jagriti Yatra 2008 that started on December 24 from Mumbai. With 350 youths (yatris) on board —all between 18 and 25 years —the group aims to visit cities and interact with local entrepreneurs who could bring about a social change.

The yatris would visit 13 destinations, covering 8,000km. So far, they have already travelled through Thiruvananthapuram, Kanyakumari, Pondicherry, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar.

After reaching Jamshedpur, the team would interact with tribal leaders and hold discussions on entrepreneurship, Tata Steel projects and tribal initiatives.

“The purpose of the Tata group is to improve the quality of life among the masses. The Jagriti Yatra concept will not only provide an opportunity to the yatris to see India in its dynamic and vibrant best but will also sensitise them on areas of concerns,” said T.R. Doongaji, the managing director of Tata Services.

The youths travel in a special train, discussing, debating and motivating youngsters towards entrepreneurship and building a new India.

“This is an opportunity for 350 youngsters to visit 13 places. The team will be dealing with several issues that are plaguing the people at the grassroots. This will give them an insight and help them plan when they start their own organisation. This journey will also make the yatris think about the future of their nation,” said Sanjay Chowdhury, the chief of corporate communications at Tata Steel.

Tata Jagriti Yatra 2008 will have an immediate impact on the 350-odd participants. In addition, Jagriti expects to have an applicant pool of over 5,000, and through formal and informal networks this will be extended to over 25,000 young young Indians.

Jagriti is also looking at appropriate use of mobile networks to spread the message of the journey that is aimed at bringing about a change in the society.