Raghavendar Askani
Founder: Youth Parliament Program.
Program Director / Co-founder: Swatantrata Center
How did you become a classical liberal?
I am more of a Chicago school minarchist style limited government believer. I have been influenced by pro classical liberal politician Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan who is the Founder of the Loksatta movement and Loksatta Political party, and policy thinktank Foundation for Democratic Reforms.
I have gained more understanding of classical liberal ideas and possible positive impact on India through India’s Future Foundation programs and the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE).
I got actively Involved in the classical liberal movement in India and worked as Program Director for India’s Future Foundation (Predecessor of Swatantrata center) and in 2016, I started the Youth Parliament Program under the guidance of Dr.JP Narayan and Venkatesh Geriti which now serves as a youth outreach project of Swatantrata Center where I serve as Program director.
What is the vision for the Youth Parliament Program?
Youth Parliament Program is an ideal platform for socially conscious youth to voice their views & ideas & act as a change agent in building the India of our dreams!
YPP mission to create awareness and empower youth through Youth Parliament sessions where youth can come together, think, discuss and debate on various issues, such as education and health, electoral and political reforms, judicial & police reforms, local governments & citizen-centered governance, governance reforms, instruments of accountability, and public policy reforms in India.
What is the plan to attain that vision?
In the process create awareness and empower youth through Youth Parliament sessions and boot camps on liberal Ideas where youth can come together, think, discuss and debate on policies that will inspire the youth to express their views in an organized way. It will also allow for the emergence of bright future leaders.
We hosted a first-ever Leadership Bootcamp where we were able to bring 100+ students across India and 30+ policy experts from various domains such as public policy, business, academia, non-profits, civil society movements, and media.
What challenges do you face?
Classical liberal ideas are almost alien to Indians and some have never even heard some of the ideas we talk about. Most political parties are socialist and semi communist leaning and they don’t have a certain world view/ideological point of view which becomes a huge problem.
Most parties and political organizations compete to become big socialist and welfarist political organizations.
How can we help?
You can help us by promoting our works and involving as partners in our projects as donors, speakers, and supporting organizations.
Self-Determination Advocates 