At the centre of every conversation on Youth Ki Awaaz are its users who have not only participated but also started powerful conversations in digital media. In 2018, we saw thousands of you join the platform to make it your own and speak up about issues ranging from politics, current affairs and sexual violence to popular culture, gender and social media.
As we gear up for a better 2019, here are the users that brought forward some of the most powerful stories and experiences on YKA in 2018. These extraordinary people just like you continue using the platform to speak up on things that matter:
1. Aishwarya Sandeep
A mother’s perspective on the debate around breastfeeding after Malayalam magazine Grihalakshmi published a photograph of a model breastfeeding a newborn and looking directly into the camera.
Follow Aishwarya on Youth Ki Awaaz.
2. Ambar Sharma
In memory of India’s most loved Prime Ministers.
Every Time Atalji Made A Speech, His Aura Shone Through The Screen
Follow Ambar on Youth Ki Awaaz.
3. Arjun Gupta
What we really need to understand about mental health and how to approach it.
These Misconceptions About Psychiatry In India Are Worsening Our Mental Health Crisis
Follow Arjun on Youth Ki Awaaz.
4. Arunchandra C
Trolling at its worst.
Twitter Responses To Tanushree Dutta’s Claims Show Why Women Don’t Talk About Sexual Assault
Follow Arunchandra on Youth Ki Awaaz.
5. Bindita Sinha
An exclusive report on the exploitation of paper mill workers in Assam’s Silchar.
‘My People Are Dying’: 1 Lakh Paper Mill Workers Continue To Suffer In Assam
Follow Bindita on Youth Ki Awaaz.
6. Dr. Ramachandra Reddy
An unforgettable trip to the brand-new IKEA store in Hyderabad.
Follow Dr. Reddy on Youth Ki Awaaz.
7. Dibyajyoti Gogoi
Inspiring stories from the heart of rural India about young Indians changing lives around them.
How 12 Young Graduates Are Helping Bihar’s Poor Villagers Start Their Own Businesses
Follow Dibyajyoti on Youth Ki Awaaz.
8. Dua Subzwari
Smashing the stereotypes around women who choose to wear a hijab.
9. Frank Huzur
Is Prashant Kishor really a successful political strategist?
Opinion: Prashant Kishor Peddles Lies And Manufactures Bubbles For His Political Clients
Follow Frank on Youth Ki Awaaz.
10. Jay Velury
The truth behind the claim that Sardar Patel was the sole reason why India is a united country.
Explained: The Myth About Sardar Patel “Unifying” India Alone
11. Joyeeta Talukdar
A beautiful love story from the tea gardens of Assam.
As A Teenager, I Didn’t Know That I Was Living With Two Mothers
Follow Joyeeta on Youth Ki Awaaz.
12. Manvi Singh
Average, and proud!
Follow Manvi on Youth Ki Awaaz.
13. Mrittunjoy Guha Majumdar
An in-depth perspective on the farmers’ crisis and how it can be addressed.
Indian Agriculture Sector: What Is Wrong And How It Can Be Made Better
Follow Mrittunjoy on Youth Ki Awaaz.
14. Pillai Vishnu
A shocking revelation about the NEET exam.
NEET PG Scam 2018: What Is The Future For India’s Doctors If Seats Are Being Bought?
Follow Pillai Vishnu on Youth Ki Awaaz.
15. Raghvendra Shikhrani
A conversation with the brave young woman who came out on national TV.
Meet Ankita, The 20-Year-Old Roadies Contestant Who Came Out On National TV
Follow Raghvendra on Youth Ki Awaaz.
16. Ramneet Kaur
The government wants you to ‘beti bachao, beti padhao’, but is this what it is for?
‘A Girl Should Be Educated, But Only Enough To Get A Good Rishta’
Follow Ramneet on Youth Ki Awaaz.
17. Ranjeet Menon
The battle for 2019 has just begun, should Congress’ victory be seen as a sign?
Why Assembly Election Results In The Hindi Heartland Are Not A Cause To Cheer
Follow Ranjeet on Youth Ki Awaaz.
18. Sanobar Fatma
An inhuman practice, illegal since 1993, but still a forced means to survival for 1.8 million Indians.
Since 1993, Not One Person Has Been Held Accountable For What Is India’s Shameful Legacy
Follow Sanobar on Youth Ki Awaaz.
19. Saurabh Parmar
The police in India – responsible for numerous injustices against the public, but also caught in a cycle of exploitation.
Follow Saurabh on Youth Ki Awaaz.
20. Sayantan Ghosh
There’s no point of #MeToo if men still don’t understand consent.
From Consent To Compliment: 5 Important Words Men Could Have Learned Much Earlier
Follow Sayantan on Youth Ki Awaaz.
21. Shakeel Ahmad
The top news stories from our very own citizen news reporter.
Opinion: From ‘Pappu’ To ‘Baazigar’, Rahul Gandhi Has Had An Incredible Transformation
Follow Shakeel on Youth Ki Awaaz.
22. Sharvani Sharma
No one must be left behind in the fight for equality.
Extending The Scope Of MeToo Movement To Make It More Inclusive
Follow Sharvani on Youth Ki Awaaz.
23. Sumantra Mukherjee
The story of every Adivasi living in the cocoon of their tea estate, completely detached from the socio-economic culture of their family.
First Trafficked, Then Overworked: The Lives Of Adivasi Women In Assam’s Tea Estates
Follow Sumantra on Youth Ki Awaaz.
24. The Guy in Mumbai
Perspectives on popular culture that really push you to think about how it affects society and the way we think.
Follow The Guy in Mumbai on Youth Ki Awaaz.
Apart from our incredible users, we also got a chance to partner with some powerhouse organisations that have been a bold voice in the issues they stand for.
Agents of Ishq
Sharing stories of sex, sexuality and more in a unique and quirky style!
“He Was My Professor. He Was 40 Years Older.” 9 Stories Of Unforgettable Sexual Encounters
Follow Agents of Ishq on Youth Ki Awaaz.
Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group
Everything you should know about living a cleaner, more sustainable life.
Your High Fashion Clothes Are Costing You More Than Just Money
Follow Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group on Youth Ki Awaaz.
EndBondedLabour
Turning the spotlight on the invisiblised lives of millions trapped in bonded labour in India.
Lured Under The Pretext Of Good Work, Lakhs Are Being Trapped In An Endless Cycle Of Abuse
Follow EndBondedLabour on Youth Ki Awaaz.
India Development Review
An insight into the development sector and the challenges it continues to face.
Best Of The Worst: The 20 Most Disappointing People In Their 20s
Follow India Development Review on Youth Ki Awaaz.
Internshala
You much-needed dose of career inspiration!
Follow Internshala on Youth Ki Awaaz.
Love Matters India
Blush-free information and news on love, sex and relationships for young adults.
‘Brainless Dog-Eaters’: 6 Women From The North East Share Experiences Of Racism And Sexism
Follow Love Matters India on Youth Ki Awaaz.
Penguin India
Your exclusive access to the latest, most exciting books!
Shutapa Paul’s New Book Reveals A Side Of Mamata Banerjee We Never Knew
Follow Penguin India on Youth Ki Awaaz.
Peoples Pulse
Everything you need to stay up-to-date with the political developments in the country.
Here’s What The People Of Telangana Are Thinking As They Head To Vote
Follow Peoples Pulse on Youth Ki Awaaz.
SHEROES
An exclusive space for women to have authentic conversations and invest in their growth journeys.
As A Doctor, I’m Shocked To See Women Asking For ‘Homemade’ Abortion Solutions
Follow SHEROES on Youth Ki Awaaz.