AN OPEN ENDED DISCUSSION TITLED TO ACT OR LET IT BE ORGANISED BY UJJEETVIT FOUNDATION

There has been a Nationwide outrage due to the recent cases of rape and violence committed against children in the country. Ujjeevit Foundation, a youth led organisation based in Guwahati, organised an open ended discussion titled ‘To Act or Let it Be?’. The primary objective of the discussion was to get everyone on a common platform where they could express their angst and also channelise their thoughts in the right direction to try and bring about positive change in the matter.

During the course of the discussion, renowned women's right activist and social entrepreneur, Supriya Khound said, "This is a systemic failure, a huge systemic failure, in a country where you are feeling unsafe. The first time I felt emancipated as a person was the first time I could walk in a street by myself in the middle of the night and I felt safe, this was in Vietnam. I felt safe, that was the first time I could  actually feel freedom. How many of us can walk in the middle of the night in a normal street in India and say you are feeling  safe? We have failed miserably. Unfortunately, I, as a generation before you, have failed you, the generations before me have failed. That is why the responsibility falls on my head too. I can't keep blaming the politicians or anybody, as citizens what we are doing for this? How are we contributing?"

“We will submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Assam demanding speedy justice for the victims and exemplary punishment for the culprits.”- Rahul Dutta, the founder of the organisation said. After the gathering, the attendees lit candles to pray for the departed souls. The foundation also announced their initiative of coming up with a module (which they are currently working on) which will be introduced in schools to help children learn sensitive but crucial issues.