By – Pri Kumar
Last week on Thursday it was the Premier’s Multicultural Media Awards where over 30 finalists came together to celebrate the diversity present within the media industry of New South Wales. With over 14 categories showcasing the range of talent present within our community, I was privileged enough to be a finalist and winner for the Emerging Journalist under 30 award.
The article I had been nominated for was ‘Wanted – A Vision and Direction for Today’s Youth’. For the longest time, I have been heavily engaged within my community, branching out of my comfort zone and taking up new opportunities that represent what I stand for as a person.
I believe that especially as a part of today’s youth I am aware of all the developments in technology and with the increasingly accessible Internet the potential we have to connect with others and to harvest opportunities that come our way has become so achievable. When writing this article my inspiration for it was my driving vision of a generation where youth can understand the power they have to make a change and to share their ideas and goals with people that want to invest in them. I think more than this being able to set a powerful example of young people getting involved with their greater community what I truly wanted to represent.
I have met so many strong, passionate and visionary young people within my school and friend networks. However, one thing that I have found lacking in most of them is knowing how to take their ideas and to share it on mediums to promote their vision among others. I wanted to promote my vision for youth and encourage them to make use of the opportunities we are given because so many times they go un-utilized.
As I went up to go collect my award after my name had been called out, I couldn’t have felt more honored to be able to represent the Indian Community as well as today’s youth. It demonstrated to me how if you have you have a driving passion for something, someone will recognize it and want to support it. The award for me was a symbol of what is achievable if you put your mind to it. The fact that I was able to connect my cultural heritage and background as well as the country I have grown up in through this award displayed the power of being able to draw a linkage between the two.
However, I don’t think any of this would have been achievable without the continuous support of my parents. They have always fostered an environment where I have been dared to be more and to be different. I would also like to acknowledge Vish and the Indian Telegraph team for giving me the opportunity to write for them as well as their constant support and guidance within my journey as a writer.
