A mission by members of a Catholic youth organization to awaken young Indian to pressing social issues recently passed through Maharashtra State in western India, where they conducted on a major beach clean-up. Members of Jago Yuva Bharat (awaken young India), organized by the Youth Activ8 Foundation, gathered 1,000 local youths to clean popular Juhu Beach in Mumbai. The campaigners reached Mumbai after completing the first phase of their journey which took in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Goa. More than half of India’s 1.15 billion population are youths. The journey aims to encourage the young generation across the country to create a new and vibrant India. “We were overwhelmed by the response of local youths here. They are brimming with ideas and we had constructive interaction with them,” said Sister Edelburgh, a national youth animator who is traveling with the group. The young campaigners also visited a fishing village Arnala, about 60 kilometers from Mumbai. Allwyn Rodrigues, who works with local youths in the area, said they often conduct cleaning drives on beaches but this national campaign has motivated them to do more for society. Rupal Figer, a local youth, hoped the campaign would unite Indian youths. “This is the first-ever road campaign covering so many places in the country. We hope to bring a change among the youth for a better society and world,” said Jomon Thomas, a Jago Yuva Bharat member. The journey is focusing on the UN’s eight millennium development goals which include: national integration, climate change and youth-led development. The campaign, which began in Kanyakumari, in southern India, on Jan. 11 will be in five phases and will end in New Delhi on March 13. Related reports Young people on a mission through IndiaCampaign to mobilize youth power in India ID13091.1639