Methodology: Survey & interview
Language: Marathi
Catalysts: Balasaheb Rahane Youth Fellows: Sangram More Gayatri Nikam Shweta More Prajakta Raut Rajashre Gharat Ankita Gharat Amruta Patil Amruta Deshmukh Bhakti Gharat
Coordinator: Manoj Tank
About the Subject: People have different opinions about spiritual power. Some call it God, while some perceive it as divinity, natural power and so on. How do people become believers? Why atheists don’t have faith? Do believers get any inner strength from their beliefs? Do non-believers face any problems in their life? These questions were in the minds of some of the youth in Sonopant Dandekar College in Palghar.
Challenges & Learnings: The group members had their own beliefs and faith and there was a mix of both believers and non-believers. They used questionnaires and interviewed a mixed group of about 80 youth. They organized community events where discussion and debate took place amongst believers and non-believers. In a workshop, different aspects of superstitions were explored. Focused group discussion was also held about the Babas, Gurus; fraudulent practices that are carried out in the name of spirituality etc. In this process the group members learnt to accept, to give respect and to listen to others’ viewpoints. To come in Mumbai for workshops and monthly meetings of Youth Fellowship was itself a great learning for this group, as they stay on the outskirts of the city and they hardly get chance to come to Mumbai. In their college, they learnt to organize events on their own without the help of professors.
Conclusion: Among the youth who were interviewed, 70% had faith in God. They said that God is real; it’s not only an idol of stone. Respondents said that God is everywhere, God is very kind and God is great! 36% of the respondents also said that God met them in various forms.
End Product: Table Calendar with photographs of Superstitions, believers and non-believers.
