Ambassador of harmony

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If you have found a purpose in life, you will know how to make time for it. In spite of a tight schedule, young professional Ravi Nitesh is an active campaigner for various causes.

If he’s not voicing his concern at Jantar Mantar, he’s tied up with a debate on the social media. Youth mobility is his core area. The 30-year-old petroleum engineer, through his organisation Mission Bhartiyam, works for human rights, communal harmony and social justice.
“When I witnessed the Babri Masjid demolition and curfew imposed after the riots that followed, I was deeply hurt. I decided to work for communal harmony, the core of our democracy. Many of my friends shared similar sentiments and joined in. But I got real direction when I got an opportunity to listen to likeminded seniors who gave clarity and strength to my thoughts,” says Ravi, who is also an active blogger.
From protesting for activist Irom Sharmila through the nation-wide “Save Sharmila” campaign to the abolition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Kashmir, Ravi and his young brigade has also been working on education and women’s rights.
His recent campaign, Aaghaz-e-Dosti is about fostering friendship between India and Pakistan. “There is a huge void in Indo-Pak relations. What adds to it is the absence of voices of common people, especially the youth who believe in strengthening the bonds. And there are many such people on both sides of the border, who want this relation to improve. We want to give a voice to the peace-lovers and bring them closer,” he adds.
Recently, the group, in association with Pakistan-based organisations, Center for Youth development activities and Imov Humans, launched “Calendar for Peace and Love”, with paintings of “hope”, collected from youths of both sides of the border. “The paintings reflect restriction of ‘freedom’, the ‘desire’ with the birds flying across borders and peace and friendship for a better future,” he says.
“We are a youth-run team and run on a volunteer model. Social media is our main weapon. We are trying to build a network of professionals, who can support society alongside working at their present jobs,” he says.