Bhubaneswar: In a remarkable achievement, Prachi Mishra, a dynamic youth representative from Odisha’s Dhenkanal, has made her mark in the esteemed ‘See Kerala, Know Kerala’ programme, organised by the Kerala Youth Leadership Academy (KYLA) under the Government of Kerala. This prestigious initiative, designed to foster national integration and leadership development, brought together young leaders from across India’s 28 states and 8 Union Territories, offering a unique platform for learning, collaboration, and cultural exchange.
As one of the selected participants, Prachi embarked on a transformative ten-day journey, immersing herself in Kerala’s widely admired development model. Her itinerary took her across eight districts, from Kannur in the north to Thiruvananthapuram in the south, where she gained first-hand insights into the state’s people-centric policies and development strategies that have become a benchmark for many other regions.
Prachi’s experience was enriched by interactions with key dignitaries, including the Chief Minister, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, and ministers from various departments. She also visited esteemed institutions such as the State Planning Board, schools, hospitals, Kudumbashree groups, gram panchayats, and Vizhinjam port, gaining valuable perspectives on Kerala’s progress.
Beyond the official engagements, Prachi delved into Kerala’s rich cultural heritage, witnessing a mesmerising performance of Theyyam and learning about Kathakali at Kerala Kalamandalam. These experiences not only broadened her understanding of the state’s cultural richness but also inspired her to replicate similar initiatives in Odisha.
A dedicated social worker with over seven years of experience in child rights, gender-based violence, and gender equality, Prachi is the founder of Project Nilay, an initiative working with child care institutions and orphanages across Odisha. Her remarkable contributions to social impact and youth-led initiatives earned her the prestigious Diana Award in 2023, one of the highest recognitions a young person aged 9-25 can receive for social action or humanitarian efforts.
Reflecting on her experience, Prachi said, “Seeing how strong and truly independent the local self-governance system is in Kerala was truly inspiring. Visiting the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) and learning about Kollam’s journey as a constitutionally literate district showed me how deeply democratic values can be embedded at the community level. Another moment that stayed with me was seeing posters of women political leaders on almost every wall across the districts we visited. While this should be normal everywhere, it still isn’t, and that made it especially inspiring for me.”
During the programme, Prachi gained valuable insights from her interaction with the Chairperson of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, whose work is directly aligned with her own initiatives through Project Nilay. “The discussion on child rights and protection strategies in Kerala was enlightening. These insights will be instrumental in shaping our approach at Project Nilay, helping us create more impactful interventions for children in Odisha”, she said
Prachi’s participation in the ‘See Kerala, Know Kerala’ programme has not only enriched her understanding of Kerala’s development model but also equipped her with valuable insights to further strengthen her efforts through Project Nilay. Her journey serves as a testament to the power of youth leadership and cultural exchange in shaping a more inclusive and progressive future for India.
