Churah youth to lead NITI Aayog’s life skills initiative

Social development professional Sunny Kumar from Churah subdivision of Chamba district has been appointed as a Jeevan Shiksha Partner (JSP) Fellow under NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Block Programme. He will serve in the aspirational blocks Tissa and Pangi, focusing on the effective implementation of life skills education through teacher-led initiatives.

The fellowship, facilitated by the Magic Bus India Foundation, is part of a broader effort to integrate life skills education into the formal school curriculum across nearly 90 government schools in the district. As a JSP Fellow, Kumar will play a key role in programme coordination, government liaison, implementation support, operational management and contributing to policy formulation.

Kumar brings a wealth of experience in social development, education and public health. He has previously worked with institutions such as NIT-Hamirpur, HelpAge India and Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP), Dharamsala. His professional journey has involved key contributions in policymaking, community engagement and youth empowerment.

Kumar will support teacher training, facilitate collaboration with government officials, monitor programme progress, and document best practices for broader replication. His involvement aims to strengthen life skills education and enhance the capacity of teachers to foster leadership, decision-making, and resilience among students.

Kumar aspires to empower students in remote areas with essential life skills, confidence and a sense of self-reliance and hopes to significantly boost the quality of education and promote holistic development among school children in the aspirational blocks of Chamba.

This initiative aligns with the Centre’s vision to uplift backward regions by improving key human development indicators through focused interventions in education, health and livelihood.