The YAP is an activity designed to convey Swami's message in Human Values and National Integration to the Youth of the various colleges across Mumbai with the knowledge firmly entrenched in the mind that it is the Youth of today who are the leaders of tomorrow. The Competitions are only a means to achieve the end and Not the end in itself.

The objective:

1. Spreading Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's messages for the youth with specific emphasis on His messages on:
   1. Youth as a stage of life
   2. Education and Educare
   3. The importance of time
   4. Self-less service
   5. Patriotism
   6. Love and respect towards one's parents.
2. Creating awareness of Bhagawan and His work for humanity.
3. Involving college youth in service activities of the Organisation.

Swami often reminds us that not only Him, but each of us is God - only He is aware and we are not aware of it. It was decided therefore to aptly name this programme the "Sri Sathya Sai Awareness Programme for the Youth". The Sri Sathya Sai Awareness Programme for the Youth or the Youth Awareness Programme as it is briefly referred to was conceived of in the year 1991 / 92 to make the youth aware of their inherent divinity, of who they actually are, to realise their own capabilities, their place in and duty towards society, primarily through the means of competitions. The themes of the various competitions would be centered on human values and national integration.

Initially, inter-collegiate essay writing, elocution and quiz competitions were conducted in over 75 colleges of Mumbai. The preliminary round of the competitions were conducted at the college premises and the finalists were invited to Dharmakshetra - the venue for the final round - which was a 2 day youth camp.

The youth camp was an over-night camp, during which the final rounds of the competitions would be conducted, the students would be given themes related to values and would perform role plays, sing devotional and value-based songs, do meditation in the morning, learn yoga and carry out situation analysis. Prizes were awarded to the final round winners at the end of the 2nd day. The finalists were taken for an educational tour to Puttaparthi.

Put Down Your Views (Essay)
Competition Baba emphasises that good thoughts are extremely important in character building for the youth. This competition is organised with a view to start the right thinking process in the mind of the students. The aim is to create a deeper awareness of the eternal human values.

Express Yourself (Elocution)
Competition Baba stresses the need for all to practice the unity of Thought, Word and Deed. This competition aims at encouraging the students to research into topics pertaining to human values and national integration and further to organise the thoughts logically to be presented publicly, with self-confidence and conviction, before the audience comprising the teachers and students. The benefits of the good thoughts translated into good words are felt by the audience and the speaker.

Poster Making competition
Art is the means of exhibiting the inner thoughts of man. It is said that Art reflects the Heart inside. This competition is conducted to encourage students with talent and to enable the students with an artistic bent of mind to participate in the programme.

TOPICS FOR THE PRELIMINARY ROUND OF THE INTER-COLLEGIATE COMPETITIONS

1. ESSAY
   1. My role in the advancement of my country.
   2. Life is all about reflections, reactions and resounds.
   3. One can be called a true human being only when one's thoughts, words and deeds are in total harmony.
2. ELOCUTION
   1. What is the hallmark of a true student?
   2. In what way can I make society ideal?
   3. To lead a peaceful life, one should bear no ill will towards others.
3. POSTER
   1. Bharat - the land of Culture.
   2. There is only one religion - the religion of love.
   3. Nature - the handwriting of God.
4. MUSIC
   1. Category A & B : Vocal (Individual) - Classical & Non-Classical
   2. Category C & D : Vocal (Group) - Classical & Non-Classical
5. DRAMA
   1. Drama In English, Hindi or Marathi

PUT DOWN YOUR VIEWS COMPETITION (ESSAY WRITING)

1. The essay should be written in a maximum of a 1000 words.
2. The time provided to write the essay will be 1 hour.
3. The essay may be written in English, Hindi, Marathi or Gujarati. Students participating with multiple entries will not be provided any additional time.
4. The essay must be written on the topics provided by the Organisation.
5. Transferring / transcribing the essay from previously written material is not permitted.
6. The parameters for judging the essays are : Content (20 mks), Presentation (10 mks), Language (10 mks), Overall Instant Impression (10 mks).
7. Complete and accurate details of the student must be filled up on the cover page.
8. The decision of the judge will be final and binding.
9. The Organisation reserves the right to the submitted essays.
10. EXPRESS YOURSELF COMPETITION (ELOCUTION)
    1. . The participants must express themselves on the topics provided by the Organisation.
    2. The participant can participate in English, Hindi, Marathi or Gujarati. Multiple entries are permissible.
    3. The maximum time during which the participant can speak is 5 minutes.
    4. The parameters for judging the elocution are : Posture and Body Language (40 mks), Content (30 mks), Diction (20 mks), Overall Impression (10 mks).
    5. Complete and accurate details of the participant must be provided by the college before the competition commences.
    6. The decision of the judges will be final and binding.
11. POSTER MAKING COMPETITION
    1. The poster must be made in the college premises.
    2. The size of the poster paper to be used - ½ imperial = ½ chart paper. Art materials and paper must be procured by the participant.
    3. The maximum time provided for making the poster is 3 hours.
    4. The poster must be made on the topics provided by the Organisation
    5. The poster may be made by any means : sketching, painting, collages etc
    6. he participant must write his/her name, address, contact number, email address, name of the college, class, division, roll number and name of the topic on the reverse side of the poster
    7. The parameters for judging the posters are : Novelty of idea and presentation (10 mks), Idea / message appropriateness with regard to the topic (10 mks) and Artistry (10 mks)
    8. he decision of the judge will be final and binding
    9. The Organisation reserves the right to the submitted posters.
12. THE MUSIC COMPETITION
    1. CATEGORY A & B :
       1. Indian piece whether classical (Karnatic or Hindustani) or non-classical (could be patriotic, devotional).
       2. No film songs (except if patriotic or devotional) to be permitted.
       3. The song must be of minimum 5 minutes but not exceeding 7 minutes.
       4. Two Indian instruments (e.g. harmonium or sitar) may be allowed as accompaniments
       5. No additional marks to be awarded for the instrument back-up
       6. Marks to be awarded on sur, bhava, taal, raag and selection of song
       7. Only 2 winners to be selected.
    2. CATEGORY C & D
       1. Indian piece whether classical (Karnatic or Hindustani) or non-classical (could be patriotic, devotional)
       2. No film songs (except if patriotic or devotional) to be permitted
       3. The song must be of minimum 5 minutes but not exceeding 7 minutes
       4. The group may consist of maximum 5 singers and minimum 2 singers. The group must be either an all boys or all girls team
       5. Two Indian instruments (e.g. harmonium or sitar and tabla) may be allowed as accompaniments
       6. No additional marks to be awarded for the instrument back-ups
       7. Marks to be awarded on sur, bhava, taal, raag, group co-ordination, selection of song. 8. Only 2 winners to be selected.
13. DRAMA COMPETITION
    1. Each college to put up only one drama
    2. The drama should be for a maximum duration of 20 minutes. A red light will be flashed / warning bell shall ring at 15 minutes. Negative marks will be awarded for exceeding time at the rate of one mark per minute subject to a maximum of five penalty marks being deducted from the overall score
    3. The drama can be in any language (English, Hindi or Marathi)
    4. The theme (s) of the drama will be provided by the Organisation
    5. The total number of participants in each drama should not be less than 10 students and not more than 15 students in total. The group must be either an all boys or all girls team
    6. No additional marks will be given for sets, costumes, audio-visual effects, dance etc
    7. Marks will be awarded for : ability to act, concept, the script of the drama, dialogue delivery and overall impression
    8. Trophies shall be awarded for the Best Drama, Best Performer, Best Script and Best Director.
    9. A copy of the script of the drama must be handed over by each college at the start of the drama to the Organisation
    10. The Organisation reserves the right to all scripts

TOPICS FOR THE PRELIMINARY ROUND OF THE INTER-COLLEGIATE COMPETITIONS

In order to enable the youth to realise the importance of the human life and the true essence of education, Seminars were conducted in the various colleges on the theme 'Management of thought, breath and time'.

For Participation in SEVA activities Support of the NSS is sought. The NSS volunteers would, in conjunction with the members of our Organisation, be participating in the following activities:

1. Grama seva.
2. Slum development programmes (Sai Colonies)
3. Visits to homes for the aged / deaf and dumb / crippled / visually handicapped, hospitals etc. (organising and taking dramas for them, reading to the blind, spending some time with them, writing letters for the old and sick etc.)
4. Organising blood donation camps / medical camps / awareness camps for ill - effects of gutka / smoking / alcohol / drugs etc.
5. Organising cleanliness drives, shramdaan et

• If we have virtuous Youth, all ills of the society can be removed
• Education is for life, not merely for a living v As a student discharge your duties diligently. Study well and obtain good marks. Respect your parents and serve them. Keep in mind the welfare of the society and nation at large.
• The Youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow. When you become leaders, you must make the country sacred. As are the leaders, so will be the Nation
• Education must award self-confidence, the courage to depend on one's own strength
• Education must result in humility. Humility is the best credential for success in life
• In order to acquire a worldly degree, you need to study various subjects. But in spirituality, there is only one subject and that is love. Underneath spiritual activities is a spirit of love.