A Voice For Change

                             “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors,

                                         We borrow it from our children.”

Materials derived from the natural environment aren’t in endless supply, so sustainably managing them today ensures future generations will be able to utilize them.

Aimed at capturing this essence of IITR’s eventful and prominent cultural fest ‘Thomso’, NSS IITR organised Vimarsh-a consultation on 2nd November’14. Vimarsh is about change; an analysis and a celebration of change.

Presentaion by the participants

Vimarsh provided the platform for the students to give their views on the problem of waste management and enhance their practical knowledge and insight by rallying their brains to seek out solutions to the threat the problem possesses.

Appeal by the paricipants

Prof. Vimal Kumar and Prof. P.K. Jha embraced the event as the chief guests with their presence. The competition provided a stage where young minds presented their views on the present scenario of waste handling. Their enthusiasm to pursue the increasing level of awareness clearly resonated among all the audience. With the gigantic increase in the generation of e-waste and problems arising due to their inert nature, much emphasis was laid on this issue. Focused on education and implementation of the various waste disposals and recycling directives, the discussion aimed at seeking employment via recycling.

The ever enthusiastic audience

The notion of reusing waste heat emitted by air conditioners was put up further by Prof. Vimal Kumar. The program concluded by awarding the winners- Prakhar Gupta and Rutuja Viregaonkar.

As Keats so beautifully put it, “a thing of beauty is a joy forever”. Let’s hope that this initiative of ours increases its profoundness over time, spreading across the whole world and never pass into nothingness; in our minds, actions and surroundings.

It is time we had a transparency revolution!

     Trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty!

                

On the first day of our magnificent cultural fest, THOMSO’14, the members of Awareness cell, NSS IIT Roorkee, organized a nukkad-natak to create awareness about RTI. The event was held on 31^st October 2014, on the U.G. Floor.

Performed by twenty-three students of NSS Awareness Cell, this nukkad-natak brought RTI act to the spectators’ notice by organizing a skit about the same. The Right to Information Act (RTI) is an Act of the Parliament Of India to provide for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens. Under the provisions of the Act, any citizen may request information from a public authority which is required to reply expeditiously or within thirty days. The Act also requires every public authority to computerize their records for wide dissemination and to proactively certain categories of information so that the citizens need minimum recourse to request for information formally. This law was passed by Parliament on 15 June 2005 and came fully into force on 12 October 2005 but there are very few citizens of the country who exercise their right.

Students shout slogans

The slogans “aao! aao! natak dekho!” drew the attention of the crowd and people in the nearby areas. Soon the crowd began to flow towards the U.G. floor .The crowd was very curious and one could have easily observed the sparkle in their eyes portraying excitement for the play. The crowd comprised people not only from our own campus but also from other colleges. The efforts put in by the street play performers finally bore the fruits, as the act was flawless.

Bringing awareness about the RTI Act

The NSS group succeeded in their endeavour of bringing awareness about the RTI Act. This event which began with completely ignorant spectators, ended on a positive note of enlightenment regarding the rights in this democratic country.

AIDING EYES

                             

Large number of registrations

NSS organised a medical camp at Tanshipur on 16^th October to help people suffering from eye problems.The Pragati cell was responsible for the registrations and seeing to it that the event went on without any hiccups. On the other hand,  it was the doctors of Ganga Mata Charitable Eye Hospital who devoted their time and resources to help the people present. The main aim of the Hospital is "to provide excellent eye and dental treatment and care services to all sections of the society without any extraneous consideration". Serving in 
accordance with this aim, the doctors helped 
everyone selflessly.

Patients going to Haridwar hospital

This event oversaw around 500 registrations.  Out of these, nearly 100 patients had a severe case of either myopia or cataract. They were immediately taken to a hospital in Haridwar and operated upon. The operation used an intraocular lens, a lens implanted into the eye to treat cataract or myopia. The other patients who did not have such severe cases were given medicines by the doctors.

All the operations were successful. Everyone thanked the doctors because without them there would have been no such event. The team members too were content with their efforts.

Doctors working selflessly

Our eyes are our windows to this world.  The doctors of Ganga Mata Charitable Eye Hospital have done a commendable job on keeping many such windows open and clean. "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others". Truly the doctors seem to cherish this saying by Mahatma Gandhi in their hearts. They believe in the below-mentioned saying by John Wycliffe and try their best to follow it:

 "Visit those who are sick, or who are in trouble, especially those whom God has made needy by age, or by other sickness, as the feeble, the blind, and the lame who are in poverty. These you shall relieve with your goods after your power and after their need, for thus biddeth the Gospel."

Prerna Cell Quiz

“Empowering girls today makes for a more prosperous tomorrow”

-Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka,

(UN Women Executive Director)

“India is a country of incredible ironies. It is a land where people worship myriad forms of female Shakti in quest of wealth, wisdom and power. But strangely enough, it is also a land where birth of a girl is considered to cast a pall of gloom over the entire family…”

Presentation by NSS Prerna

Celebrating 11^th October’14 as International Girl Child Day, the members of Prerna cell, NSS IIT Roorkee, conducted a quiz to raise awareness among the younger generation about this issue of Gender Sensitization. The team of volunteers consisted of a total of 10 members from first, second and third year. The students were enlightened about the importance of gender equality and the need to eradicate the prevailing social evils in present era. The program witnessed active participation of 30 students cutting across age barrier. 

Ever enthusiastic participation of students

NSS volunteer enlightening students

Citing example of achievements of various Indian female personalities while keeping the enthusiasm alive by questioning and playing “Who Is This”, the volunteers were successful in their endeavour of convincing the children about the important role female play in the development of society. The enthusiasm and avidness of the students to identify each personality and answer the related questions for getting rewards added a positive incentive to the event. The students were encouraged to share their daily life experiences regarding gender inequality.

Saina Nehwal: a Role Model

The quiz followed a Kho-Kho match between the ‘girls’ team and the ‘boys’ team.  Both the teams displayed marvellous performance and in the end, the girls’ team won the game, proving that girls could be better than boys if equal opportunity is given to them. The event concluded with the prize distribution to the winning girls’ team.

The Winning Team

A small effort done on our part can help us realize the vision of India as a country where there is no gender-biasness.

The Scientific and Rational Tenor of Srimad Bhagvad Gita

India, land of dreams and spirits, of fabulous wealth and culture, of splendor and glory, is the only land through ancient times, whose enigma and charm lies in its imperishable in-depth knowledge of science and technology.

Last week, IIT Roorkee under NSS, had the privilege of having Shri Malayaj Garga, an alumni of IIT Kanpur, best -selling author of “THE HOLY GITA- The Discourse”, deliver an inspiring and thought-provoking presentation on ”The Scientific And Rational Tenor Of Srimad Bhagvad Gita”.

Shri Malayaj Garga delivering lecture

Following the enlightening words of Swami Vivekananda, “Strength is life, and Weakness is death”, Shri Garga apprised Gita as not being merely a spiritual but a finest piece of revolutionary book ahead of its time, in view of science and technology. Bhagvad Gita -the song of God- is where Krishna, the personified Self, motivated Arjuna to transcend the selfish interests of saving his own relatives and rise up for the collective benefit of dharma and tread the path of righteousness. Dr. Garga presented Bhagvad Gita as a guiding light that illuminates the path of the seekers irrespective of their caste, creed, color or country.

The book has answered several questions that have baffled great scientists over long time such as the big bang theory, fascinating topic of dark matter and energy. Atom and its constituents were already mentioned in this 5000 year old legacy. “Vasudeva Sarvam Iti”, as Shri Garga puts it correctly, is the crux of Gita and a key to profound mysteries which means that a higher consciousness or ‘Chetna’ pervades all living beings. Quoting several verses from Gita, he emphasized that even our minds and thoughts are a part of this powerful information storehouse which is responsible for striking a perfect balance and harmony among the elements and processes of nature. His creative approach to presenting interesting facts and enthusiasm for the credibility of the laws of physics, singularity, knower and the known, birth and death resonated with all of us. The time invested to achieve such a well-crafted message, which takes discipline and persistence, grabbed great admiration and applause.

Shri Malayaj Garg honored by Mrs. Smita Jha

Srimad Bhagvad Gita is the scripture of self-realization, of solutions to the eternal inner war that each of us wages with the army of self-limiting thoughts compromising our happiness in this world. It teaches us that fanatical discipline when combines with hard work, the challenges of mental fatigue and mind-blocks are no match in the pursuit of excellence and innovation.

Movie Screening and Quiz by Navodaya

Winners being awarded

The Navodaya cell of NSS organized a movie screening and a quiz on Mahatma Gandhi on 2 October. The mental ability and general knowledge of the participants were tested with a quiz consisting of questions related to the Father of the Nation. The students were deeply appreciated for their attempts and the winners were awarded with prizes. The quiz and the large amount participation in the event reflected the fact that even children who struggle to even get proper education have knowledge of and utmost faith in Gandhiji 's principles. 

Essay Competition

Essay writing competition, organised by the Prerna Cell of NSS IIT Roorkee, was held on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, 2 October’14. The event witnessed participation of 30 contestants, who wholeheartedly battled out the competition using their literary knowledge and skills.

The participants were the students of all classes from 1 to 12, from the villages in the vicinity of IIT Roorkee, who are taught by the students of Prerna Cell.

Enlightening the students about Gandhi Jayanti 

Taken the responsibility to lift up and educate these under privileged young minds, the students of Prerna Cell made them aware about the two jewels of India who share their birthday anniversary together: M.K. Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Enriching their minds with the preaching’s of these two great leaders; the students of Prerna motivated them to inculcate these values in practical life too.

The participants enjoyed a lot and the five best contenders were awarded. The event ended successfully with great learning, recherché experience.

Top students being awarded

SWACHH BHARAT ABHIYAN

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”

Honorable Prime Minister of India

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a national level campaign by the Government of India, launched by the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi on 2^nd October 2014 on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, with the noble cause to clean the surroundings in which we citizens dwell. This campaign aims to accomplish the vision of 'Clean India' by 2^nd October 2019, 150th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi and is expected to cost over Rs 62,000 crores.

Our team

Moving on the parallel tracks of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, NSS IIT Roorkee organized an event of cleaning the surroundings of the institute. Students swept inside as well as outside the campus, bringing awareness among people about cleanliness.

Cleaning outside the campus

Dr. Pradipta Banerji, our Honorable Director along with Prof. (Dr.) S.P. Gupta, the Honorable Deputy Director and Prof. (Dr.) D.K. Nauriyal, the Dean of Student Welfare, inaugurated the campaign by paying homage to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

The director himself swept the streets near the main building and shortly all students followed him.  According to him, a clean environment is a human right like any other right. It is, therefore, a part of our social responsibility toward others to ensure that the world we pass on, is as healthy if not healthier, than we found it”

Cleaning with all precautionary measures

The students were provided with plastic gloves and huge brooms and hence, all contributed for a cleaner India. Almost every nook and corner of IIT Roorkee campus was cleaned by them including the organic waste like leaves or packets of food articles, they picked almost everything. At the same point of time, they never felt ashamed or embarrassed to do so, instead the students were elated by such an initiative.

"Drops of water make the mighty ocean." In the same way, our small contributions can make huge differences. Such small acts of keeping our own surroundings clean when multiplied by 121 million Indians can transform India into a clean and green country. A clean country attaches to itself a disease free world and increase in tourism.

It needs just some logical thinking to come out of the assumption that others would come and become our scavengers, instead just remember the Gandhi quote and be your own scavenger.

"Everyone must be his own scavenger." - M. K. Gandhi

Pragati members visit Paniyala

The Paniyala village, a small and secluded village about 9 km away, was visited by Pragati Cell member of NSS IIT Roorkee on October 1, 2014. The volunteers were welcomed by a group of enthusiastic youngsters, all with a zeal to learn and grow.

Volunteer explains Gandhiji's principle to children

 

 The theme of this event revolved around the life of our famous leader and the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The purpose of this visit was to instill Gandhiji’s valuable life principles into the youngsters' minds.

Students focused on giving quiz 

 The children were shown inspiring movies and presentations on Mahatma Gandhi. The videos showcased Gandhiji's principles, his life and background. They were about leading a better and successful life. The videos caught the attention of the kids and they thoroughly enjoyed the presentation. The teachers too loved the videos and felt that it was a good source of history knowledge for them and their students

Team spirit seen after football match

This activity was followed by a 45 minute quiz which the children attempted with dedication and enthusiasm. Following the quiz was a football match meant to instill the values of team spirit and to bring forth the leadership qualities of the children. It was decided that all the children who played well would get prizes.  The winners were announced after the match and the teachers distributed the prizes. Photos were taken and everyone had a good time learning about the historical heroes of India .

Teacher distributes prizes to students

The event ended on a happy note with everyone present feeling proud of their motherland's heritage.

NEWFANGLED INITIATIVE OF NSS – IIT ROORKEE.

The Environment Cell of NSS – IIT ROORKEE has taken a giant leap forward in their motto of safeguarding Mother Nature by preparing advantegeous Organic Fertilizer from daily squandering of vegetable peels. The demonstration of the whole procedure was done at Azad Bhawan by the NSS students in the presence of NSS Coordinator Dr. Smita Jha and Prof. Navin Kumar Navani. This idea is a brain child of Prof. Navani. The peels are mixed with a chemical which is a mixture of micro organisms forming Lactic acid and are derived from yogurt, cheese and jaggery water is added which catalyses the work of these micro organisms. The organic fertilizer is prepared just within 7 days and is easy on the pocketbook too. Dr. Smita Jha was overwhelmed by the perseverance displayed by the students and while addressing them said, “These students have shown how NSS works. The underlying objective of NSS to serve the nation is getting fulfilled by the use of technology coupled with intelligence for betterment of society.” The program was concluded on this note.

BLOOD DONATION CAMP

"You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will 
never be able to repay you."

As following the noble tradition of ‘Not for me, but for the Nation”, National Service Scheme (NSS, IIT Roorkee Chapter) organized its pièce de résistance , the Blood Donation Camp, on Sunday 7th something extraordinary and satisfactory to the souls who continuously strived to 
make the event a success. . With a whopping 958 blood donors, the event broke the national level record at the institute level. 

Prof. (Dr.) S.P. Gupta, the honorable Deputy Director and Prof. (Dr.) D.K. Nauriyal, the Dean of Student Welfare, inaugurated the Blood Donation Camp and marked 
the beginning of the most successful blood donation camp, IIT Roorkee has ever witnessed so far. IMA Blood bank Dehradun, Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital Dehradun and Civil Hospital, Roorkee were the three participating blood banks. 

NSS Coordinator

The donors had to undergo three levels of screening before donating blood to ascertain their eligibility for donating blood. The primary consisted of weight and blood pressure checkup and secondary dealt with hemoglobin test and the tertiary issued the blood bags with questions concerning the donor history. As appreciation, various refreshments like water, fruits, biscuits, juice along with goodies and a certificate were provided to the proud donors. Some of the donors who could not meet the criteria had to  goempty-handed.

A great amount of awareness was created regarding the camp through door to door campaign, posters, promotional video and motivational lecture. Arrangements were also setup as to provide a help desk that did a remarkable job of handling people’s doubts and queries. The first time donors were doubtful of the experience but seemed contented after the donation. BDC cutouts proved to be a major source of entertainment for people. 

Main hall

Volunteers were motivated by the zeal and the enthusiasm of donors who waited for hours to participate in this noble cause and encouraged students from all branches to take part in this wonderful project. Not only boys but a large number of girls also came forward to donate blood.


Novel Jindal, a fourth time donor and the first donor of the camp, showed no sign of fear and even inspired others to donate the blood. The chief guest Dr. S.P. Gupta, Deputy Director admitted his desire to accompany and observe and to be involved in all the activities of NSS. Further he applauded the work of youngsters and suggested the involvement of alumni in such events

                           

He further shared with us his first life-saving experience when he was a youngster and stressed upon the point of displaying life-saving experiences to motivate the donors. Mrs. Banerjee, an active socialist, imparted some pearls of wisdom - “ Spread Awareness, Collect Data and Continue providing support”. She also suggested the uploading of a database to help students in times of crisis and further showed her concerns regarding anaemic girls in the campus.

                                 


She also shared her first experience of blood donation which was in the first year of her college back in 1985. NSS Coordinator Dr. Smita Jha, the flag bearer of this camp narrated her endeavors as a student of Bihar University to organize a blood donation camp and how she was influenced by the death of a child suffering from thalassemia which changed 
her thought process altogether. She further said that its pretty weird that people hardly bat an eyelid while undergoing piercings and tattooing but feel that a syringe is painful. In a way, this perception needs to be changed and she pretty much summed it up that, “Life is precious, try to save it whether yours or others”.

News report

Vibhor Agarwal, after donating blood, pretty much conveyed the feelings of everyone "I really appreciate the patience and zeal shown by the donors today". In the end, the three blood banks congratulated Mr. Mohit Tanwar, General Seceratary, NSS IIT Roorkee, and appreciated the hard work put by him and his team. The whole NSS team conveyed gratitude towards the donors and expects the next camp to be even greater.

Certificates

Supervision by doctors

Hats off to girls

NSS cell members also donated

Age doesn't matter, its feeling which matters

Quiz-Buzz

                                                     

The students of IIT Roorkee under NSS RT-Education cell organized a quiz competition at Government Primary School (Shri CheddiRam Yadav School), Khanzarpur. The timings for the event were 6-7pm. The event was planned to be open for anyone studying in class1-12 regardless of their place of study. Before the event a promotion drive was scheduled for the time slot 5-6pm.

Quiz organised on 5th September, on occasion of Teacher's Day 

All the students from first year RT-Education Cell and their immediate supervising seniors reported on time. After the division of all present in small teams, every team was assigned a particular nearby lane and more to cover. The purpose was to spread the word about the quiz competition and encourage children to join the regular classes, i.e., conducted by RT-Education cell of NSS daily from 6-7pm at the same place. This task was undertaken with zeal and enthusiasm befitting of the occasion. Procedure dictated for the participants was to observe and watch closely then to answer the asked questions. 

RT-Education Cell Students organizing Quiz

The preplanned modus operandi was to show a short motivational video by “Kuch Aapka Emotional Fulls” that was about the essence and spirit of teacher’s day after that the participants were asked questions about the preview. Similarly questions were asked respectively after a PowerPoint presentation of great personalities of nation like Bhagat Singh, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Swami Vivekananda, many more and their Date off births and lastly a short movie about the life of Dr.Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. 

Active participation from students

Some mayhem and humorous situations occurred due to the participant zeal and enthusiasm to take part. A ball-point pen was deemed fit to be given as prize to the ones who answered correctly. 

Child receiving reward

Then after a general photo session of all the participants as a group to mark and cherish the occasion, chocolates were distributed to all of the participants irrespective of whether he/she won or didn’t even try to answer a single question.  They were told why we feel the need to assign a whole day to respect and honor our teachers and why it is celebrated on the same day as Dr.Radhakrishnan’s Birthday.