MINGORA: Top eight youth activists from different fields received national Innovative Youth Awards during a special ceremony here on Saturday.

Organised by the Innovative Youth Forum (IYF), the ceremony of the Second Innovative Youth Award was held at the historical Wadudia Hall in Saidu Sharif, where thousands of youths, civil society members and elders from across the country were in attendance.

The award is given to acknowledge the hardworking youths in different fields of life regarding their social contributions.

“This year, a total of 1,422 people had applied for the 2015 award in eight categories i.e. outstanding researcher, best young leader, innovative initiative, passionate teacher, ethical media activist, change making activist, peace entrepreneur and social artist,” said IYF chairman and social activist Dr Jawad.

He said the event was aimed at acknowledging the hardworking youths in different fields of life regarding their social contributions.

The IYF is a youths-led social enterprise working voluntarily to cure the society through innovations in education, health and youth building and ethics with the vision to develop the society through creation and innovation by finding out the interests of youths and diverting it towards positive actions and developing their self-actualisation level.

Maria Malik, one of the winners of the 2015 IYF Award, said she had heard a lot about the beauty and rich cultural heritage of Swat, so she always wanted to see the scenic valley.

“I am very much excited not only for winning the award but also for visiting Swat,” she told Dawn.

The award winner said she was encouraged to receive the award and would continue her efforts in better way. MNA Ayesha Sayed praised youths for their performances and said youngsters would lead Pakistan to development and prosperity.

“Youths are considered the backbone of a nation. Today, I see the strongest youths of my nation,” she said.

The lawmaker said organising the event and attracting a large number of youths from across the country for it was a clear message to the world that Pakistanis were a civilised and peaceful nation.

“This is not only an award show but also gives out a message of peace, a message of prosperity and message of development,” she said.

In a video message, Heather Schmid, a recording artist from the US, extended gratitude and good wishes to organisers and congratulated all nominees and winners of the IYA 2015.

“I want to give my wholehearted congratulations to all 2015 Innovative Youth nominees and winners and have wonderful celebrations in the beautiful Swat valley,” she said in her video message.

Noted national singers also performed in the show and received applause from the participants.

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2015