When 23-year-old Yashika Jadhav (name changed to protect privacy) chose to leave her corporate internship for a fellowship that offered no fixed salary, no prestigious office, and no corporate credentials, her friends questioned her decision. Seven months later, observing a group of 6-year-olds in rural Maharashtra who preferred dance and craft works over online games, she realised she had discovered something more valuable than monetary compensation; she had found her purpose.
In an era where young children operate iPads before mastering basic motor skills and teenagers prefer digital communication over face-to-face interaction, a significant movement is emerging across India. This initiative is not being driven by technology leaders or policymakers but by young adults who are thoughtfully considering: What if we restored authentic childhood experiences to children?
A fellowship with a different vision
The Jawahar Bal Manch (JBM) Fellowship 2025 represents a departure from a conventional career-development programme. While most fellowships focus on enhancing professional credentials, this programme emphasises reducing digital dependency. With the theme "Gadget-Free Childhood – Joyful India", it seeks individuals aged 21-35 to serve as advocates in addressing digital over-reliance.
"We are not opposed to technology," clarifies Dr. G.V. Hari, National Chairman, Jawahar Bal Manch "We advocate for childhood preservation. There is a distinction between utilising technology as a tool and allowing it to replace essential developmental experiences."
The statistics are concerning. Recent research indicates that Indian children spend an average of 4-6 hours daily engaged with screens, with some urban children exceeding 8 hours. Simultaneously, outdoor play has decreased to less than one hour per day. The fellowship directly addresses this issue by training young adults to develop engaging offline alternatives.
This initiative does not advocate for returning to an idealised past. The fellowship demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of child development, integrating traditional wisdom with contemporary educational approaches.
Core areas of focus
Digital Wellness: Developing engaging offline activities that provide meaningful alternatives to social media and gaming. This includes creating physical interactive experiences such as cardboard escape rooms, neighbourhood treasure hunts, and compelling storytelling sessions.
Emotional Intelligence: In an environment where children often learn about relationships through social media, fellows focus on developing authentic social skills, empathy, and emotional regulation.
Civic Engagement: Teaching children about democracy, justice, and community responsibility through practical experiences, including mock elections, community service projects, and leadership development opportunities.
Creative Expression: Promoting arts, music, and creative writing as alternatives to passive digital content consumption.
Community Building: Facilitating connections between children and their neighbourhoods, elders, and local culture in ways that digital platforms cannot replicate.
This fellowship appeals particularly to India's educated youth who are reconsidering traditional career paths. In a competitive job market where engineering and management degrees are commonly observed, this fellowship provides meaningful work with measurable social impact, while also providing a stipend for those who are in need.
The JBM Fellowship offers participants opportunities for professional skill development while empowering them to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children. The programme includes comprehensive training in project management, community engagement, communication skills, and leadership development, skills that are valued across various sectors. These experiences create pathways to careers in education, social entrepreneurship, public policy, and international development.
The fellowship is establishing a network of young leaders who share a unified vision: childhood should be joyful, creative, and grounded in authentic human relationships. These represent more than individual career decisions; they indicate a generational shift in priorities.
As one JBM member explains, "We are the generation that experienced the internet's development, so we understand both its benefits and challenges. We are well-positioned to help the next generation navigate the digital world while preserving their humanity." This perspective aligns with the programme's slogan: "Gadget-Free Childhood – Joyful India."
Application process and selection criteria
The fellowship application process reflects this alternative approach. Rather than emphasising academic performance and internship experience, it prioritises passion, creativity, and commitment to social change. Candidates are evaluated based on their capacity to connect with children, their community engagement concepts, and their vision for promoting healthier childhood development rooted in Gandhian philosophy and Nehruvian ideals.
The programme provides certificates upon completion, but more importantly, it offers participants the experience of contributing to a movement that prioritises human development over economic productivity.
The JBM Fellowship 2025 is inviting passionate and committed individuals (age 21- 35 years) to join the Jawahar Bal Manch Fellowship 2025 as full-time fellows. This unique opportunity is for those eager to work on impactful projects that bring positive change to children and communities.
In a world focused on artificial intelligence, these fellows are investing in human intelligence. In this current era where everything and everyone is drawn to virtual reality, the JBM fellowship aims at creating experiences rooted in reality.
The consideration is not whether one can afford to dedicate a year to this fellowship but whether society can afford to have fewer young people pursuing this path.
Across India, there are children who need to discover that there is a world outside screens, and similarly, there are young adults who need to learn that transforming a child's life can transform their own.
Applications for the JBM Fellowship 2025 will be available on the official Jawahar Bal Manch website following the programme's official launch, which is tentatively set for July 13th. The programme represents a commitment to building a better future—one child, one community, one fellow at a time.
For more information, please visit their official website: https://jawaharbalmanch.org/