Youth in Odisha driving local actions for change

Marking International Youth Day (August 12), which this year focuses on the theme “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” Odisha stands out with its own youth power—nearly 34 per cent of its projected 46.95 million (4.70 crore) population in 2025 will be aged 15 to 34, according to an Asian Development Bank report.

- RESHMI YADAV, OP

This aligns with India’s position as the nation with the world’s largest youth population, over 371 million aged 15-29, as per Unicef.

The focus is on how young people—from Odisha’s cities to its rural heartlands—are transforming local initiatives into impactful efforts to combat climate change, promote mental health, foster entrepreneurship, and advance social justice.

“You are not just the leaders of tomorrow—you are the change-makers of today,” said Tr. Jitendra Nath Pradhan, TGT (Social Science) at Krishna Vikash Techno School, Brahmapur.