Janhvi Gupte

Janhvi Gupte presents the Religious Freedom Youth Network (RFYN) as IARF’s effort to carry its work into a new generation through education, practical service and interfaith encounter. She traces RFYN’s development from the 2010 IARF World Congress and explains the two-tier model developed in India: young adults aged roughly 18-35 receive training and opportunities to volunteer, while projects are designed to reach rural and disadvantaged communities whose immediate needs often make abstract discussion of religious freedom inaccessible.

Gupte surveys six areas of work. Human Rights Education and Training uses the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including Article 18, to introduce religious freedom in schools and colleges. “Invincible” draws on Hiroshima to promote peace and anti-nuclear education. Urja combines women’s empowerment with digital literacy and livelihood support; Career First helps young volunteers with employment and exam preparation; G1 links environmental action to community incentives; and interfaith programmes create opportunities to learn about religious festivals and traditions. The discussion addresses sustainability, self-funding, work in rural India, religious violence, Kashmir and Northeast India, and the challenge of building an international youth network beyond India.