Join a train journey that could change your life: Apply for Tata Jagriti Yatra.
Anupreet Dhody
1. What is Tata Jagriti Yatra?
Tata Jagriti Yatra is an annual train journey that that takes 400 of India's highly motivated youth (with some participation of international students) on an 18-day national train-journey, introducing them to unsung heroes of India. The aim is to awaken the spirit of entrepreneurship (both social & economic) within India's youth by exposing them to individuals and institutions that are developing unique solutions to India's challenges. Through this national event we have begun to inspire the youth of India to lead and develop institutions both nationally and within their communities. The vision of Jagriti is to inspire young Indians living in the middle of the Indian demographic diamond (Rs 40-Rs 120 per day) to lead development by taking to enterprise. By doing so, they can turn from being job seekers to job creators.
2. Is there an eligibility-criterion? Who can apply for the yatra?
Anyone over 20yrs of age can apply for the Yatra. We have two categories of the yatris
Participants: between the ages of 20-25 and Facilitators: experienced professionals with age above 25 yrs.
Not necessary. In-fact the core purpose of the Yatra is to give exposure to any individual who has an inclination, and shows the potential to be an entrepreneur.
4. How many role models will I get to meet? And who are these role-models?
We have short listed 13 destinations for the forthcoming Yatra, and at each destination we would be visiting at least 1-2 role-models. So we would be interacting with 20-30 role-models. Some of the role-models we have visited in the past and would meet again this year are: Anshu Gupta (Goonj, Delhi), Joe Madiath (Gram Vikas, Orissa), Bunker Roy (Barefoot College, Rajasthan), Dr.Arvind (Arvind Eye Care), and many more…
5. I come from non-urban India, do I stand a chance?
Our vision is to inspire young Indians from rural India, typically from non-urban regions. We have had candidates from semi-urban and rural India from almost all the states of our country, for our past two Yatras. These Yatris were not necessarily highly qualified or very comfortable with English but had the fire within to “be the change they want to see in the world” and they made most of the experiences and learnings they gathered during the Yatra. We have ex-Yatris, from non-urban regions, who have started small ventures on their own and are successful too!
6. Where will I stay during the Yatra?
In the train. The organizing team, volunteers and the support staff live in the train for all 18 days. The organising team assigns compartments to the yatris before they board the train. Male and female candidates are in separate bogies. The bogies are so assigned that the team and the volunteers are placed in between the male and female candidate bogies.
7. I am a girl and wish to come for the yatra. How safe will the yatra be for me?
Safety of all on the train is our prime concern. Remember, you are one among almost 200 like-minded women from various parts of our country. Other than the participants of the Yatra, we have women volunteers and team members on the train as well. Our security staff includes women security staff for each women bogie. Male and female candidates are in separate bogies and both have separate bathing facilities. In the words of a Yatri who participated in the 2008 Yatra “As a woman participant, at no time did I feel unsafe or threatened. It is incredible that after being together on the train for just 1-2 days such a spirit of camaraderie develops that everyone looks out for each other and is willing to go out of their way to help each other."
8. I am interested to join the Yatra. How do I apply for it?
To join the Yatra you need to fill up an application form. You have to log onto the website: www.jagritiyatra.com/register , and fill in personal details and answer a few questions. Applications are accepted in English / Hindi only.
Steps to Apply for Tata Jagriti Yatra:
- REGISTER: The candidate registers on www.jagritiyatra/register
- In last column: Where did you first learn about yatra? Please select e-Sahaj
- VERIFICATION EMAIL: The candidate then receives a verification mail on the email id mentioned during registration.
- LOGIN: This mail gives a link to the application form. To access the application form the candidate can also visit our website www.jagritiyatra.com and login, using the email id and password mentioned during registration.
- FILL ANSWERS: The candidate can now start filling up the application. The application form can be saved and need not be completed at a stretch. The candidate needs to login every time he/she needs to access it.
- SUBMIT: Please note that only completed forms should be submitted.
- GET SELECTED: All further instructions will be conveyed to you by an email.
- SPONSORSHIP: All those who get a good score in the application then proceed in the system. Those who opt for sponsorship fill up ‘The Sponsorship Form’ and ‘The additional Personal Details Form’. Those who opt to pay full proceed to fill up the ‘The additional Personal Details Form’.
- CONFIRMATION: Once all the formalities are complete, the candidate finally confirms his/her seat for the yatra. Other details about the Yatra - the schedule, accommodation, food etc will then be sent to them via e mail.
Important points to note:
- The candidate can apply in English or Hindi. For Hindi, you will have to type out the responses in www.google.com/transliterate . Here you need to type in roman alphabets which are converted to devnagiri script. The responses typed here can be copy-pasted in the applications.
- There are no charges for filling up the application form. Candidates have to pay, but only if selected.
- If the candidate gives an incorrect email id, the registration is invalid.
- The candidate should receive the verification mail within an hour.
- One candidate should submit only one application. In case more than one application is submitted, all the applications will be rejected.
- Incomplete applications are not accepted by the system.
- Candidates applying as Facilitators should be more than 25 years of age.
- The sponsorship option in the form should be filled carefully. We do offer sponsorship but that is only to a few deserving candidates. To judge this better, all those who have a good score and have opted for sponsorship, have to submit a proof of income in the ‘Sponsorship Form’.
- The essay questions have word limits mentioned. Applications with responses exceeding the word limit are not accepted by the system. Also applications with scanty responses are rejected by the system, on submission.
- The candidate will be judged on the content in the responses and not on the quality of language.
- For queries on selection contact sele...@jagritiyatra.com or 022-25550936
