Self-Assessment with Youth in Nandwal Village

[Shahrukh Atpade]

On 11 December 2025, the first self-assessment (Self Assessment) process was conducted with the youth of Nandwal village. Earlier, on 29 September 2025, a shared dream-building process had been carried out with the youth group. Only those boys who had participated in that process were invited again for the self-assessment.

The youth who participated in this discussion are farmers. As the sugarcane harvesting season is currently underway, only a limited number of youth were able to take part in the process.

At the beginning, a short activity was conducted to reduce work-related fatigue and help everyone feel relaxed. In this activity, everyone shared memories from their school days—such as their favorite class, favorite teacher, and favorite classroom. While sharing these memories, all the participants took part joyfully, laughing and engaging wholeheartedly. After this, the self-assessment process was initiated.

The youth openly discussed the four dreams they had envisioned. Through this discussion, they reflected on what they had been able to do and what they had not been able to achieve.

Youth’s Views on Challenges Faced While Fulfilling the Dreams

Dream 1: Children’s health and thinking will have improved through traditional games.
Level 3 (Sometimes)

Why?

1. Due to work, they do not get sufficient time.

2. There is no person available to play the halgi (traditional drum) for practicing lezim.

3. From November to February, sugarcane harvesting is in full swing, making it difficult to find time.

Dream 2: Young boys will openly express their feelings with their parents and others.
Level 2 (They know how to do it, but they don’t do it)

Why?

1. They cannot share everything with their parents because they do not want to put mental pressure on them.

2. Two boys shared that they do talk openly with their parents about everything.

Dream 3: Young boys will have received good education and will be doing good jobs.
Level 2 (They know how to do it, but they don’t do it)

Why?

1. At present, some youth in the village are leaving traditional color work due to bad habits and pressure from others.

2. Youth from certain communities are still continuing the same traditional work because their fathers did the same work and the tradition is being carried forward.

3. Some youth are engaged in farming, working in MIDC, running businesses, or doing jobs.

Dream 4: The village will have become clean and beautiful.
Level 2 (They know how to do it, but they don’t do it)

Why?

1. The Gram Panchayat keeps giving instructions, but no one in the village takes action.

2. Attempts were made earlier, but people participated only for 2–3 days.

Future Planning

1. After sugarcane harvesting ends in February 2025, efforts will be made to restart lezim practice among the youth.

2. Youth will share responsibilities, communicate with other youth, and encourage them to participate in games.

3. A record will be kept of how many youth are communicating with their parents, and discussions will be held on the challenges faced in such communication.

4. Youth will be encouraged to move away from traditional color work and explore other work options and alternatives.

5. Currently, children from a younger age group are working on village cleanliness—visiting them and supporting their efforts.

What I Learned as a Facilitator from the Self-Assessment

1. Young people have very strong willpower. Change takes time, but when it happens, it is significant and impactful.

2. The number of people who initiate change is always small; however, when others see their dreams being fulfilled, more youth gradually join in.

3. Responsibilities that come at a young age often make youth forget to live their own lives.

4. Encouraging youth to dream helps them think big and motivates them to continuously strive to achieve those dreams.