The Game Changer Philanthropic Initiative - Adobe Youth Voices 2014 by Bhavna Negi

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) are initiatives taken by every company to maintain a balance with their business ethnics and behavior with business growth and commercial success along with a positive change in community.

Adobe places emphasis on youth development as the core of its CSR efforts, with education as one of the major drive. "Community Welfare' and "Education" are recognized as one of the many building blocks of any nation. Each one of these are a priority that eventually leads to enlightening the youth of the country.

At Adobe we believe in the power of collaboration to create change. By harnessing the potential of our technology, our workforce, and our relationships with like-minded individuals and organizations, we’re strengthening local communities and supporting a sustainable future.

Our efforts are focused on four key areas where we believe we can have the greatest impact- Innovation, Creativity, Sustainability and Community.

Adobe and American India Foundation (AIF), through a generous philanthropic initiative of Adobe Youth Voices (AYV) has already accorded recognition. Realizing young people's potential as a valuable human resource and key foundation for the sustainable development of the nation, Adobe helps by supporting the development of good character among youth for the country's long term prosperity.

2014 marks another year of celebration for Adobe Youth Voices program showcasing extraordinary youth media projects to a global audience. Two different events were celebrated - On February 13, 2014 at FICCI auditorium, New Delhi and on February 18, 2014 at Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Bangalore.

Light symbolizes knowledge. An oil lamp is lit to bow down to knowledge. Senior Director at Adobe, Mr.Shanmugh Natarajan, and Director at AIF, Sh.J.Sundarakrishnan, Mala Gupta and Pooja Gupta were invited on stage to light the lamp and shine the light of knowledge.

AYV 2013 media compilation DVDs were released at both, Delhi as well as Bangalore events.

Media Compilation Released - Delhi Event

Media Compilation Released - Bangalore Event

Adobe, through AYV aims to nurture young minds and educate them, so that they contribute to a promising tomorrow. The program equip students with the tools they need to create visual stories that motivate people to take action in their communities.  

While we’re proud of what we have accomplished, we know we have more work to do as the challenges we face become increasingly complex.

Every year, short media compilations made by the students are screen-played at Adobe Youth Voices event that projects concerns and also bring potential solution through digital media.

Led by our company values, we’re striving for continuous improvement.

The two minute compiled movies addresses society issues - eve-teasing, women safety, drinking, abusing and education to name a few; Environmental concerns - save water, pollution, save tiger. Several other concerns like donation in temple, racism, etc.

Every year, Adobe employees volunteers to be part of the program and to foster creativity. They take advantage of the technology and expertise to pass down the knowledge to the next generation.

Nukkad Natak - Bharat Ki Pehchan
(Garima Khanna, Abhinav Dhandh, Surbhi Kamboj, Dhwaj Agrawal and Ayush Bindal)

The nukkad natak (street-play) aimed to spread awareness for society concerns like – Education, Female Infanticide,  Right to Vote, Drug Abuse, which is the need of the hour.

It help these students to gain knowledge, skills and vision to meet the challenges and demands and also, opens for them a new world of opportunity.

Adobe Musical group have been associated with several NGOs and non-profit organization for the past two years.

Adobe Musical Group - Delhi Event

Ankur Prakash | Gaurish Kshrisagar

The team, (Singers - Mili Sharma, Reema Majumdar and Diksha Shakya; Guitarist - Ankur Prakash and Keyboard artist - Gaurish Kshrirsagar), sang beautiful tracks - Yun Hi Chala Chal Rahi from Swades ; Bum Bum from Taare Zameen Pe  and Aashayein from Iqbal.

Musical Program at Bangalore Event

With music as a medium they have been spreading the awareness.

Everyone had a great time and this was one real treat that made the show, all the more fun and memorable.

A special mention of thanks to the schools and institutions that participated in Adobe Youth Voices 2014 event–  Yuva School, Bal Asha Vidya Kendra, Chetram Sharma Kanya Inter College, DTEA Senior Secondary School Janak Puri, Ank School, Anglo Model School, DTEA Senior Seconary School Moti Bagh, Kanshiram Welfare Foundation, Avinash Chandra, Literacy India Neb Sarai, Rani Dutta Arya Vidyalaya, Read India, Vedik Kanya High School, Centre for Human Development & Research, DTEA Senior Secondary School R.K.Puram, Sai Swayam Society, Social and development Research and Action Group, Chandra Arya Vidya Mandir, Vidya (Sainik Farm), Literacy India, Vidya School, Butterflies, Magic Bus, DTEA Senior Secondary School Pusa Road Teamwork and Akshay Pratishthan.

"Adobe Youth Voices feels honored to have been supporting youth to be at the forefront and I have to say, youth are consistently better at taking the lead than most adults. I deeply believe that young people are every community’s best problem solvers, and we demonstrate that at AYV every day."

**Kindly refrain from commenting on the people in the Photographs!!

Pictures - Nitin Gupta | Mandeep Singh | Sharadh Krishnamurthy | Vipul Vaibhav