National Agenda Forum seeks people's support from Maharashtra

On July 30, the National Agenda Forum (NAF) completed a month after its launch on June 29, 2018. Within the 30 days of its launch, NAF has received a lot of support from across the country. So far 28,901 youth associates, 142 celebrities and 206 civic organisations have associated with the NAF.

Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary

Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) launched the NAF initiative as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary year. Started on June 29,2018, NAF is a Pan-India initiative to rebuild Gandhiji’s 18-point Constructive Programme and “re-imagine and co-create India’s priorities” to frame an actionable agenda for India.

Support from renowned celebrities and organisations

The National Agenda Forum is being backed by these people and organisations:

• Gandhians, such as, Prof. Ramjee Singh (Freedom fighter and a pioneer in study of Gandhian thought in India), Dr. Ravindra Kumar (Padma Shri Awardee, Sardar Patel National Awardee), Natwar Thakkar (Padma Shri awardee, Jamnalal Bajaj awardee), Dr. D Chelladurai (Dean, Gandhi Research Foundation), Baji Mohammad (Freedom fighter)
• Gandhian organizations, such as Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, Sarvodaya Ashram, Gandhi Mission International Society of India, etc.
• Recipients of civilian honors, such as, Shrimati Teejan Bai (Artist, Padma Bhushan awardee), Mr. Rajan Mishra (Indian classical singer, Padma Bhushan awardee), Dr. Brahm Dutt (Padma Shri Awardee for working for lepers), Dr. Usha Kiran Khan (Padma Shri awardee and Sahitya Academy Award winner), etc. 
• Eminent public servants, such as Mr. Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary (Ex-Governor of Meghalaya), Justice N.N Mathur (Former Judge, Rajasthan and Gujarat High Courts). Sports personalities, such as Ms. Mary Kom (Boxer, Olympic Medalist), Ms. Babita Phogat (Wrestler, Commonwealth Games Medalist), Mr. IM Vijayan (Former Captain, Indian Football Team), Ishwwar Pandey (Cricketer), etc.
• Entertainment personalities, such as, Mr. Piyush Mishra (Actor, Screenwriter, Lyricist), Shyam Rangeela (Mimicry Artist), Pammi Bai (Singer, Songwriter, and Bhangra Dancer), etc.

Over the next couple of weeks, I-PAC plans to reach out to students in 750 colleges and 320 civil society organizations across 21 states, during our field visits. The voting is still open; citizens can continue to become a part of NAF by logging on to http://www.indianpac.com/naf/ and voting on the agenda and the leader.

Started as Citizens for Accountable Governance (CAG) in 2013, I-PAC has brought some of the best minds from diverse academic and professional backgrounds together and provided them with a unique opportunity to become a part of the election process and influence policy-making in India.

The initiative is planning to mobilise about one crore citizens to formulate an actionable agenda for citizens to choose their leaders online in the 2019 elections. While several states have supported the initiative, now the group looks forward to engaging people from Maharashtra and seek their support.