How Maharashtra came up with an innovative idea to employ youth

When 40 young graduates from premier institutes walked into the Mantralaya earlier this week, they ushered in change of a different kind. The under-25 group is part of the Maharashtra government’s Mukhyamantri Internship Programme 2015, a novel initiative by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Under this programme, the interns will work, for the next 11 months, in various departments of the state government ranging from tourism and electricity to solid waste management. They will join the staff and the bureaucracy in brainstorming and implementing key projects of the government.

What makes this programme promising is that it will bring in new and fresh ideas from young professionals. With a perspective unaffected by years of service in government, this group can come with ideas inspired by some of the best practices they’ve seen during their studies or travels.

As of now, the interns, who were selected after a round of scrutiny and interviews, have been posted in key areas of work - handling the social media activities of the chief minister, the Clean Maharashtra Campaign, solid waste management, electricity distribution and infrastructure projects. Armed with degrees in engineering, science and commerce, these new recruits can bring relevant contemporary learning to the department.

These young people promise to infuse energy into the functioning which can complement the years of experience that the regular staff already has.

The government — ministers and bureaucracy — can expect to connect better with the youth. With these people sharing their views and experiences with the colleagues in the department, it will help the bureaucracy understand what people really want and what problems plague the citizens.

In a society that often views politicians and government employees with a certain sense of suspicion and even disdain, it gives young professionals a chance to be “part of the system”. It’s the best way they can learn to understand the functioning of the official machinery and offer suggestions for changes. The internship gives them a closer look at how things work.

With at least a few of these young people certain to be active on social media, the government’s initiatives in creating awareness of their work and schemes will get a boost.

Most importantly, it will give the interns good experience in the social development sector, which is beneficial even if they pursue corporate jobs after the completion of a year.