Just in 30 days of its launch, the National Agenda Forum (NAF) has garnered huge support from all across the country. So far 28,901 youth associates, 142 distinguished personalities and 206 civil society organizations have joined our ever-growing NAF ecosystem.
Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) launched the National Agenda Forum (NAF) as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary year on 29th June 2018. NAF is a pan-India initiative to resurrect the conversation around Gandhiji’s 18-point Constructive Programme and use it to re-imagine and co-create India’s priorities to formulate an actionable agenda for contemporary India.
Till date – 28,901 youth associates from 4,219 colleges, 142 distinguished personalities from 6 countries and 20 states, and 206 civil society organizations spread across 346 districts have joined the ever-growing NAF ecosystem.
The National Agenda Forum has garnered support from a diverse group of people and organizations, which includes:
- Gandhians, such as, Ramjee Singh (Freedom fighter and a pioneer in study of Gandhian thought in India), Dr. Ravindra Kumar (Padma Shri Awardee, Sardar Patel National Awardee), Natwar Thakkar (Padma Shri awardee, Jamnalal Bajaj awardee), Dr. D Chelladurai (Dean, Gandhi Research Foundation), Baji Mohammad (Freedom fighter)
- Gandhian organizations, such as, Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, Sarvodaya Ashram, Gandhi Mission International Society of India, etc.
- Recipients of civilian honors, such as, Shrimati Teejan Bai (Artist, Padma Bhushan awardee), Rajan Mishra (Indian classical singer, Padma Bhushan awardee), Dr. Brahm Dutt (Padma Shri Awardee for working for lepers), Dr. Usha Kiran Khan (Padma Shri awardee and Sahitya Academy Award winner), etc.
- Eminent public servants, such as, Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary (Ex-Governor of Meghalaya), Justice N.N Mathur (Former Judge, Rajasthan and Gujarat High Courts)
- Sports personalities, such as, Mary Kom (Boxer, Olympic Medalist), Ms. Babita Phogat (Wrestler, Commonwealth Games Medalist), Mr. IM Vijayan (Former Captain, Indian Football Team), Ishwwar Pandey (Cricketer), etc.
- Entertainment personalities, such as, Piyush Mishra (Actor, Screenwriter, Lyricist), Shyam Rangeela (Mimicry Artist), Pammi Bai (Singer, Songwriter, and Bhangra Dancer), etc.
Over the next couple of weeks, I-PAC plans to reach out to students in 750 colleges and 320 civil society organizations across 21 states, during our field visits.
The voting is still open; citizens can continue to become a part of NAF by logging on to http://www.indianpac.com/naf/ and voting on the agenda and the leader.
About I-PAC
Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) is the platform of choice for students and young professionals to participate in and make meaningful contribution to political affairs and governance of the country, without necessarily being part of a political party.
Started as Citizens for Accountable Governance (CAG) in 2013, I-PAC has brought some of the best minds from diverse academic and professional backgrounds together and provided them with a unique opportunity to become a part of the election process and influence policy making in India.
I-PAC works with visionary leaders with a proven track record. In the process, the group helps them set a citizen-centric agenda and partners with them to conceptualize & implement the most effective methods of taking it to the public and gathering mass support.
Support for NAF from eminent personalities and organizations
| Individuals | Details | Statement of Support |
| Dr. Brahm Dutt | Padma Shri Awardee for working for Lepers | The Constructive Programme is very close to my heart. I stand inspired by your initiative I feel privileged to have been invited. I fully endorse and support NAF. |
| Mr. Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary | Former Governor of Meghalaya (2008-2013) | Let the good men govern our country, lead us from chaos to clarity, let them guide us from poverty to prosperity. I congratulate NAF for its initiative to re-launch Mahatma Gandhi’s priorities for national reconstruction as an agenda for General Election, 2019 |
| Justice N.N Mathur | Former Judge, Rajasthan and Gujarat High Courts; Former VC, National Law University, Jodhpur | I support the initiative of Indian Political Action Committee in launching the platform of National Agenda Forum to engage the citizens and especially the youth in exploring Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals and use it as a foundation for nation building |
| Dr. Ravindra Kumar | Padma Shri and Sardar Patel National Awardee; Former VC, Meerut University | I appreciate the efforts of the NAF and willingly support its prime cause of awakening the youth of India having broad outlook-based nationalism as the nucleus. |
| Mr. Natwar Thakkar | Padma Shri & Jamnalal Bajaj Awardee; Founder, Nagaland Gandhi Ashram |
Many problems of today can be addressed by following the path shown by Gandhiji. The Constructive Programme was his blueprint for reconstruction of India. I extend my support to your work and convey my best wishes for its fulfillment. |
| Ms. Shanta Sinha | Padma Shri Awardee, Former Chairperson, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights | It is hoped that this National Agenda Forum provides the leadership and vehicle for a whole-hearted participation of one and all to bring a moral renaissance for attaining equality, social justice in our country. |
| Ms. Mary Kom | Boxer, Olympic Medalist | I commend the efforts of Indian Political Action Committee for highlighting the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi through their initiative – National Agenda Forum and call for participation of the entire country especially the youth, in this endeavor |
| Ms. Babita Phogat | Wrestler, Commonwealth Games Medalist | I support #NationalAgendaForum, lets all support this initiative to revisit Mahatma’s ideals |
| Mr. IM Vijayan | Former Captain, India Football Tem | I appreciate NAF, as this is a venture to spread Mahatma Gandhi’s Constructive Program to the youth of the country and pay tribute to the father of the nation. Best wishes to team NAF |
| Organizations | Details |
| Gandhi Smarak Nidhi (Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh) | Founded with the aim to preserve memories and values of Mahatma, and pan-India presence through several state chapters, it is the largest trust that works towards conducting and promoting the manifold activities associated with Gandhiji. |
| Association of Voluntary Agencies for Rural Development | AVARD is an open, secular, non-political, non-profit national association of 328 autonomous voluntary agencies (NGOs) engaged in rural development throughout India. Veterans like Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) have been associated with AVARD. |
| Sarvodaya Ashram | The organization was founded in 1983, by members actively involved in various spheres of work of Sarvodaya Movement. It works with the vision of upliftment of the poorest of poor through Gandhian ideology. |
| HELPS Welfare Society | HELPS (Health, Education, Liberty, Peace, Service) is a nationally recognized NGO founded in 2016, working extensively towards uplifting environmental conditions, empowering women and aiding affected people in disaster and conflict affected areas. |
| Gandhi Mission International Society of India | T. Amruth Rao, who is a renowned freedom fighter and Satyagrahi, founded the society in 1959. This society functions on seven principles of Gandhiji namely non-violence, peace, truth, humanity, love, equality and untouchability. |
For the full list please visit:
https://res.cloudinary.com/indianpac/image/upload/v1532624966/naf/support_for_naf.pdf
Also, please checks out our Twitter handle https://twitter.com/IndianPAC for NAF updates.
