For a better future, over four lakh Indians write to PM

New Delhi: Over four lakh Indians sent postcards and another sixteen lakh took action on the online platforms as part of the Action-2015, May mobilization campaign, urging the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commit to a better future for India, when he represents the country at the UN General Assembly in September where the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the next fifteen years will be adopted.

The postcard campaign was launched to enable the marginalised communities like the Dalits and Adivasis, children, young adults and women to appeal directly to the Indian premier for ensuring that their demands are heard by all decision makers.

Several civil society organization mobilised people by conducting events, rallies and flash mobs in different parts of the country with a united message- an equal, just and secure future for people and planet. Globally, May Moblilisation has united over 21 million people and was organized by 1600 organisations from 140 countries.

Speaking for Action-2015, Amitabh Behar, National Anchor, Action-2015, India, said that Action-2015 is a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase global solidarity towards a change affecting the entire planet. “Given the sheer diversity in India, we wanted to unite and collectively send peoples voices and opinions to the government through the postcard campaign, asking for inclusion of their specific demands. We hope the government accepts and responds to the voices of their people and represents the same while adopting the SDGs in September 2015,” she said.

Endorsing the campaign, activist and actress, Gul Panag, tweeted about Action-2015 urging people to opt for a better choice. "We lose nearly 3 lakh babies on the first day of their life. A new world order must bring about a change for women and children. We can choose the right path now or regret it for generations to come. I'm standing on the right side of change, what about you?” she tweeted.

Action-2015 is a global campaign attempting to end poverty, inequality and climate change. The massive action-2015 May mobilization activities were held to raise awareness about 2015 being a critical year for the people and the planet in view of the three significant global events.

Three UN summits including the UN conference on Financing for Development in July, the UN General Assembly in September and conference on Climate Change in December this year will result in formulation of global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will be a commitment by world leaders to end all forms of poverty, discrimination, and inequality and a crucial step towards a safer planet.

The Action-2015 campaign was announced by Malala Yousafzai when she accepted the Nobel Peace Prize, and is today a coalition of over 1000 organizations in over 120 countries. Earlier this year, 31 global personalities including Aamir Khan, Bill Gates and several Nobel Laureates signed the open letter to world leaders positioning action-2015 agenda.

Announcing the campaign Malala Yousafzai had said, “People globally want an end to injustice, poverty and illiteracy. Our world is interconnected and youth are ready and mobilized more than ever to see real change take place. Together, we are demanding our leaders take action in 2015 and we must all do our part.”

In India, the campaign was launched in January 2015, in 15 states, wherein thousands of children and activists met political leaders and decision makers ranking from top policy makers to the district level administrators all over India.

The Indian coalition is active with civil society organisations like the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP)- India, World Vision, Save the Children, National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR), Oxfam, Nine is Mine Campaign, World Vision, Centre for Social Equity and Inclusion (CSEI), Action India, National Confederation of Dalit Organisations (NACDOR), National Social Watch, Climate Action Network, Restless Development, Youth Ki Awaaz, Voluntary Action Network-India (VANI), The YP Foundation and Pravah and many more.