Prayaas

EDUCATION is that fragrance which if spread can not only bring smiles on hundreds of thousands of individuals but also can make the society as a whole, a better place to live in. The society has people from all classes and segments, some being fortunate and privileged enough that they can afford the heavy expenses of being educated. While some unprivileged class of the society are deprived and even have no access to basic education, because of a number of reasons.

As is being said, “Knowledge is that something, which, if shared will only expand and will benefit larger chunk of people and will help in making the society a civilised one”. With this motive in the back of the mind, MADF team of IMT, saw and introspected within the college campus and observed that the blue collar workers (who work day in and day out to make the stay of students more comfortable at the campus) dint even knew Hindi counting and very few knew the basic mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. A few of them dint even how to sign and read the newspaper!!!

Thus, as is stated “if you want to clean the society, start from your home itself!!!” MADF took the initiative, a proposal was made and a personal meet with all of them who are interested was arranged. The team tried talking to the workers as to what they feel about being taught. Gradually, they were asked how much they know, would they want to learn and get education and be able to do at least the basics of reading and writing both English and Hindi. The workers were then explained as to what all problems they face right now and what consequences it has on their lives. As to how education will promote them in their work and in personal life. How it will help their children lead a better life and get better education and thus jobs, rather than following their parents’ line of work. The response was indeed overwhelming. The workers were very enthusiastic about this program and willingly agreed to walk on a path that leads to a new life.

The first class was arranged with 20 workers turning up and 5 MADF members. The first class was to make the workers feel comfortable about starting to study and not feel any hesitation or shame on not knowing a lot of things. The students (workers) were tested on what they already knew and what all was known by how many people. On basis of that session we decided to divide the students into 3 groups:

• 1^st group - Beginners Level

Students who have not even saw the face of the school even once.

• 2^nd group - Elementary Level 1

Students who knew the Hindi counting and basic addition and subtraction manually.

• 3^rd group - Elementary Level 2

Students who knew in addition to level 1 division and multiplication as well as a few

mathematical tables.

After the session the curriculum for the 3 levels was decided and books, registers and pens were purchased from the club’s funds. It was decided to formally announce the project in front of all the IMT fraternity. Thus, these books were given to the students during the 26^th January function held in the campus, by the Director of IMT.

There on the club members have been taking classes, 3 times a week. For now the Elementary Levels 1 and 2 have been combined into one group so that students of Level2 can revise the Level1 curriculum.

The scope of this project is endless and depends on the enthusiasm and keenness of the students as well as the cooperation of people who are taking their classes. It is indeed a Mega Project and the MADF team has decided to continue it as much as they can.

Blood Donation Camp

Nothing replaces human blood. There is no substitute for it and it makes a huge difference to someone in need of it. With emergencies increasing everyday due to the several natural devastations, accidents and acts of terrorism, large amounts of blood units are required to reduce the fatality rate. In times like these participating in a blood donation camp organized by a reputed organization can be a life saving act and all it needs is a little time and a lot of love.

MADF (Make a difference Foundation), the social club of IMT Ghaziabad founded with the purpose of creating a positive and sustainable change in the society has solely believed in empowerment as the only way to achieve its objective. We at MADF continuously look at new projects through which we would be able to make a positive difference to the lives of the several under-privileged people around us.

A regular feature on MADF’s annual itinerary has been the blood donation camp. This year MADF conducted the blood donation camp in collaboration with LIONS Club of New Delhi South at the IMT Campus on 16^th October, 2008. Students and faculty participated in large numbers and the number of donors stood at 170. Along with the blood donation an eye donation camp was also organized and students willingly signed up for the donation and letters stating the will shall be sent to residential addresses.

Dr. B. S. Sahay, Director, IMT Ghaziabad and Mr. Anurag Anand, coordinator, LIONS Blood Bank inaugurated the event with Lighting the Lamp Ceremony. While inaugurating the camp, the director stressed the importance of mobilizing the youth towards the cause of blood donation and thereby serving the society. Mr. Anurag Anand said “I really wondered what is the difference between IMT and any other college, today I have understood.”

“A Blood Donor saved my life” was the slogan used by the MADF to motivate the students to donate blood. The campaign involved a series of posters and banners which were put up all over the campus. Presentations and audio video aids were also used to create awareness; the most influential was the stunning street play highlighting the importance of blood donation.

The students were so motivated by the initiative taken by MADF that donors started turning up since 9:00 am in the morning and throughout the day there was huge crowd waiting eagerly to donate blood .A medical checkup was also organized by LIONS Blood Bank. A donor card and detailed blood report would also be sent to all the donors. The doctors went about collect ing blood untiringly throughout the day as if living the cause in true spirit

The initiative again was a huge success and we at MADF salute the spirit of all IMTans, staff and student alike, who turned up in large numbers throughout the day relentlessly despite their hectic and tight schedules and classes. The enthusiasm in each participant was palpable and it yet again proved that IMT stands for development of character and not just its academic rigor.

Ingram Computer Classes

In order to further our association with Ingram School at for deaf and mute children, we asked the Principal, Mr. Pathak regarding the kind of help we could provide the school. Mr Pathak told us that the children had the option of appearing for Computers as a vocational subject in their 10^th Boards. However, they were facing problems with lack of qualified faculty to teach them the practical aspects of the course. Hence, MADF proposed stepping in to give the 9^th and 10^th standard students of the school practical training in computers.

The project involves weekly classes involving 14 students at the school. Language is a barrier which often makes the going slow, but the effort these students are willing to put in to learn is eye-opening. As a volunteer for the classes put it “It’s a joy to work with these students. The amount of enthusiasm they exhibit and the effort they are willing to put is admirable.”

The classes are to continue till March end. By then, we hope the students would have learned to enough to sit for their board exams in April. We at MADF are proud to assist these students in their endeavour to make a self-sufficient life for themselves.

Sashakt II

The objective of the project was to start a Self Help Group (SHG) to generate employment for rural women. The idea was to teach them how to make candles as candles had a much higher profit margin as compared to the other options available- kite making, paperbags etc.

One of the major tasks was that of identifying a suitable target group. A MADF team, consisting of Srikanth, Akanksha and Brijendra visited Hasanpur, Nangla and Nandgram and talked to the Gram Pradhans. All three areas were receptive to the idea but the team found that the people of Hasanpur and Nangla were land owners for the most part and were quite prosperous.

A slum area, about a from Ghaziabad, Nandgram was zeroed in on for the project as most of the people were either rickshaw pullers or construction labours etc and hence their income was neither sufficient nor continuous. Also, Mr. Mahesh, the principal of RML Public School, the local school was very supportive of the initiative and he assured us that he’d provide a place for us to hold the camp. His wife, Principal of the school offered to talk to the area women and convince them. A meeting was to be held for the same and two days later, they communicated their acceptance.

A decision was made to include High School girls of the school in order to provide them with vocational training as most of them wouldn’t be able to pursue higher education.

On 13^th Oct’08, Sashakt II was inaugurated in the presence of Dr. S.K. Singh, Chairman Student Affairs and Rtn. . Their words of encouragement inspired everyone present. The event was covered in local media.

Seventeen people including the high school students participated in the day camp. The materials required were procured by MADF and the funding for the same was provided jointly by MADF and Sahaya-the helping hands, a privately funded NGO. MADF as well as non-MADF members volunteered for the effort. At the end of three days, some 800 odd candles were produced by the group.

MADF set up stalls to sell the candles in the college and a 3-day mela organizaed by Lion’s Club Ghaziabad., a student of the executive batch arranged for MADF to set up a stall at the Diwali bash of , where the response was extremely encouraging.

Profits generated from the sale of candles were distributed to the women the day before Diwali. For the students who participated, MADF is paying their school fees for teh next couple of months.

Special thanks accorded to Rohan, Srikanth, Akanksha, Brijendra, Abhilash, Shankha, Chandan, Mrinal and Tripti for making Sashakt a success.