Remember YFE?

Today 8 people turned up for what was a campaign of millions only five years ago. The situation was very much like today and a organisation fuelled by young blood not unlike India Agaianst Corruption had held the Indian eyeballs. Media was on to it without going into break for days together. Everybody was a member of YOUTH FOR EQALITY - a group formed by AIIMS doctors to fight against impending reservation.

Thousands fought water cannons and tear gas shells and filled jails to support the cause. The only difference from today is that they did not have a charismatic Gandhi like leader and to think of it they still managed all that. 

But I fear for the fate of Anna's organisation. Will Indian Against Corruption also be tattered as YFE five years down the lane?

Today I went to Youth For Equality's meeting. I am not a member, but I do support the organisation for its cause and its methods. Although it lost the battle against OBC Quota Bill and hence the media attention but for them the war is not lost!

The few left from original core froup have been fighting legal battles against reservation, commissions, researches and parties! But of course due to lack of funds and power they have won none so far! But their efforts didn't stop there! They launched a party to fight elections to Lok Sabha, but could harness only 1300 votes... from millions across the nation to 1300 in 2 years, well that's not a good stat and today only 8, definately dvindling! but the group now hopes a revival!

Youth has once again united over something, youth which was once member of Youth For Equality and more! there is a potential support and they plan to harness it, but how?

Today Youth For Equality has become a name that was once to reckon with but hardly a reality today. People like what gets media attention and no matter how hard they try and how much people remember them its not gonna work untill they manage to turn lenses on them again!

But it's not just a sad story, there's a silver lining too! Amit, a cordinator of YFE told me that core member Ravi Mishra has managed what they could not do in Delhi. He brought people together and has managed to win 3 panchayat seets in Jharkhand. One might wonder how come they won on seats where OBC and Dalits are majority? Well, Amit has an answer to that. 

He says people who belong to the poor strata of society understand there cause and do not mininterperate them as anti-dalit like high and mighty. He says YFE is about supporting the needy rather than greedy!

From the zeal in Amit's eyes I could say he has a long way to go1 YFE has a long journey to cover and who knows they may finally reach a destination that seems more peaceful, more just and more equal!

Here's to a bright future of Youth For Equality and organisations alike!!!  

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