Saturday, August 30, 2014

NASHA MUKTI SHIVIR

Appreciable work by NSS
The small village of Panialla witnessed a young group of enthusiastic teenagers who tried to eradicate substance abuse, alcoholism and smoking. 9 kilometers away from IIT Roorkee, Panialla is known for some serious substance users and alcoholics. Posters were put up everywhere and students were assigned a poster each. Their job was to try and make the villagers understand the harmful effects of these bad habits through these posters. A doctor was present too and free medicine was available. All these amenities including the posters had been provided by the ‘Brahmkumaris’.
Our volunteer convincing Mr. Rakesh 
The event opened by the entry of Mr. Rakesh, a sweeper by profession. He has been a ‘Beedi’ user for the last 30 years of his life. Students explained the consequences he could suffer in a beautiful way and the doctor, B.K. Lakshmichand, encouraged him to quit Beedi. Rakesh says ‘It was very informative. I had a pleasant experience. I earn about ten rupees a day and used to spend four rupees on the bad stuff. I have realized I was wrong.’ Risha was the first woman to attend the event. She too has been a Beedi user. The doctor didn’t judge her. He did his best to help her and she was happy to be a part of the event.

                                             


Slowly the crowd increased. A fair number of women were present too. Two young users Pankaj and Bittu found all the presentations informative. They left happily with their medicines. Old women and kids were present too to see what was happening. They had a fun time when the photographer took pictures of them.  Video presentations were shown by the seniors as they felt that it was better to show the ill consequences rather than just talking about it. Kids watched the videos enthusiastically.


A blessing in disguise
 Salman and Salim were two kids aged ten. They were very shy. Salman had come here to learn about the consequences of alcohol. It turns out that his father is a chronic alcoholic. He says he’ll never drink or use drugs. He was happy to get some useful information from this event. It is hard to find such maturity in a kid of his age.  Salman is a bright kid with a bright future.
B.K. Lakshmichand, the doctor
B.K. Lakshmichand, the doctor, is an amazing person. He was non-judgmental and very knowledgeable. He spoke a lot about life and emphasized on the fact that it’s all in the mind. Just sufficient will power was required to quit bad habits. He also gave examples as to how costly cancer and gangrene treatment could be. He kept telling the parents to think about their children, to think about their future, to love them and to teach them the good habits and ethics which are essential to live a good and comfortable life. He told everyone that they must return to God the way he sent them, in sobriety. Everyone spoke highly of the doctor. Dr. Lakshmichand is truly an amazing personality.
Our Nss Team
 Arshad, the cell secretary, was very pleased with the outcome. There were sixty people who turned up and the event went on smoothly. He is looking forward for the next one where the Pragati team will cover two villages. He hopes that the people who turned up understand the consequences of their actions and will quit immediately.
The Great work by NSS
 The event was a success. Everyone was happy with the outcome. The students did a wonderful job. The doctor was given appreciation for donating his valuable time. The localities were satisfied and they hope that their loved ones will soon become clean and healthy. All in all it was a successful event.



                        

                   
                      

                     

                 

                

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Through the coloured glass

Suddenly our car halted. I resurrected to the life of flesh and blood only to realize that the whole traffic was stopped at a crossing because some "Godly" minister had a sudden urge to enjoy his evening in the vicinity of Taj Mahal with his family. To make it worse, my phone battery died.
An abrupt noise shattered my daydream, a noise made when two metals strike each other. He was a small boy, one of the street boys who lived on the footpath and came begging to the cars stuck in the jams. Really it is quite annoying for the persons in their air-conditioned luxury cars to be disturbed by those scorching in mid summer’s noon with no assurance of even a hand-to-mouth existence. I too pitied them but never actually cared. I mean, who am I to do anything for them? I am just a student.We all are just "somebody”. It’s the duty of the government to do something to push them off the footpaths where they set up their little carts, shops and sometimes even tatters which they call home. The government should lure them away with a promise of a good living to the outskirts of a city where they would never trouble a BMW or a Mercedes.  After all, for an important crossing of a great city glorified by the statue of the great Maharana Pratap, they are a misfit.Besides, it is creepy and scary for little girls including my younger sister, given the way they hang up on the windows for their "share" of the world on the other side of the glass. But why to allow them even a glance of the world they don't deserve?


I tried to ignore him as if he never existed and waited for him to return to his very own world from where he emerged on the sight of red signal.Some people choose to shoo these creatures away while there are some generous fools who give them a drop from their "hard earned" ocean.
But this was a tough one, younger than those of his kind. Small children are often persuasive. With time, he will also acquire the skills of choosing the right target as his brothers have done instead of wasting their valuable time on the likes of me.He didn’t seem to lose heart at my ignorance and went around every window cleaning them with all the might he had, especially the driver's window, and knocking them with his little knuckles too soft to make a noise that would penetrate the coloured glass that stood between him and us.  At last, my father asked us to do away with him with some change .I volunteered and rolled down the window. The hot summer loo slapped me right on the cheek. The heat was unbearable to me, but indifferent to the world on the other side of the window. The child was elated on seeing the window rolled down. I could sense he was more excited by the robotic sound the window made. I gave him a 10-rupee note. I saw the excitement dying in those twinkling entrapping eyes which were innocent enough to shrug off some money even from the stone hearted. After clear examination, he threw the note back at me. I was appalled. I wouldn’t, in heaven’s chance offer him a denomination larger than that, so I rolled up the window. He banged the glass with a coin this time. My mother advised not to open it. Thankfully, the signal turned green and we were again in motion but only to move by an inch. I looked back through the smiley's nose, which the child had painted on our dusty rear window. I realized that he only wanted coins. Money did not seem to interest the boy, which could buy him the other important things in his life. He was euphoric in hearing the sound the coin made every time he dropped it in his dilapidated moneybox. He had disappeared in the crowd of other street boys and there I was, cursing my empty soul for having denied those innocent eyes the joy that co-existed in the two worlds, nevertheless at peace with its inability to penetrate through the coloured glass.  

Saturday, August 23, 2014

A helping hand to paniyala

Explaining the reason to visit

Imagine being trapped in the most remote villages of India. Imagine a place where most facilities necessary for a basic standard of sustenance are absent. Imagine a place that hasn’t yet developed from its medieval ages, a time when one still relies on idols and rituals for rain and good harvest…. Imagine being insignificant in a competent world…
Paniyala…
Having survey of villagers

 Date 23/08/14 when Pragati Cell of NSS IIT Roorkee decided to make a change to that matter. A decision to make the people aware of the facilities they are offered and make it avail to them. The members of the Pragati Cell conducted a survey on the village. 

The survey took place upholding two major prospects. One was to find the number of people whose feet were disabled. This was solely a Pragati Cell motive. They were to take the count and details in order to submit it to the The Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayatha Samiti (BMVSS) as a part of their program popularly known as Jaipur Foot. The objective of this program is to provide artificial legs to those who have lost their foot.

The secondary objective of the survey was a central one relating to all off-campus cells, including Pragati Cell. The aim was to conduct a survey based on the needs of Toilets among the residents of Paniyala. The results of the survey is to be handed over to the Sulabh International Social Service Organization which is an NGO working for the sole purpose of improving the sanitation in Indian Communities as a part of their program known as Sulabh Sanitation Movement.

This program has lately gained tremendous public support and its enthusiastic social activities has been praised by honoring its founder, Dr. Brindeshwar Pathat with the Stockholm Water Prize and many more.
NSS team visited Village



The team consisting of around 20 people surveyed through the village, visiting almost 250 or more houses and interacting with them gathering necessary information about the programs. Almost 57 people or families were either handicapped or were lacking the basic sanitary facilities. The response of the villagers seemed to be positive as they welcomed the offers with gratitude. Thus the Pragati cell has once again proved its values as a off-campus students social organization.

Model Village Survey

Village is a small community or group of houses in a rural area. Regrettably, the condition of the Indian villages is not good. There is inadequate arrangement for the treatment of the sick. There are insufficient facilities for educating the masses. The bulk of the people in Indian villages are illiterate and ignorant. There is dirt all over in the village. They don’t have good facilities like proper house, proper toilets , proper road and many more.

Students asking villagers about their sanitation facilities


Keeping these things in mind, NSS IIT Roorkee Model Village cell students decided to visit a small village  Bhangedi near IIT. The main motto of this cell was to make a survey about toilet facilities in every house of the village. Besides this, they will run classes every Sunday to provide free education to children from class 1-10 .All the students reported near Rajiv bhawan at 10am. It was the 1st time when 1st year students where going and so everyone where excited and determined to do their work. All students went to the village on bicycle. The touch of village could be felt as we could see poor road with no proper sanitation and drainage facilities. Everyone was overwhelmed with grief seeing those conditions. After parking their cycle, their works were handsomely distributed by their leader Prem bhargav and according to his plan they would cover each and every house. Students were divided into groups with each group having 6-7 students.

Students observing the issues faced by villagers


Students knocked at every house. Few people were getting paranoid but students politely asked their problem and discussed their plan of providing free toilets in every house. People got impressed with their strategies and patiently discussed their problem. Sadly, there were many houses with no toilets. They also promised to improve the condition of existing toilets. Students noted down their name, address and problems. Students discussed about free education and all parents agreed to allow their children for joining the classes. Even though few villagers where rude, students patiently and kindly presented their plans to them and asked their problem. Some where not willing to give their detail gave but after peaceful conversation they agreed to give their detail. Everyone was glad to see smile on the face of villagers. Inspite of their poor condition, villagers asked us water and tea. What a kind gesture! After 2 hours of hard work in such a hot weather, the work was over. Every student was feeling sad and wanted to change the condition of the village. They were happy as they were the part of such a great cell where they can stay with these poor people, understand their problem and try their best to improve there problem. Seeing the determination of students of this cell, surely a change will be visible in that small village in few days.




Friday, August 22, 2014

Teach for India

Teach For India
Teach For India is a nationwide movement of outstanding college graduates
and professionals working towards eliminating educational inequity in India.
The major objective of this program is to provide education to students who cannot get proper education. It provides fellowship to graduates who teach uneducated Indians for 2 years. Actually, Teach for America was the first  program that was initially started. It was successful and so Teach for India stepped in, which enlightened the hopes of Indian. In India also, initiatives are taken by graduates who work under low salary and provide education.


An image describing the case
IIT ROORKEE students got a golden opportunity to communicate with one of the members of Teach for India, Mr. Shivendu Chatterjee. He started his lecture by saying that we will be angry when we leave this hall. Everyone was shocked and couldn’t understand the reason. Then he showed us a picture in which there were six children carrying bags. But 2 were carrying school bags while remaining 4 were carrying garbage bags. Scenario was very clear and we understood the reason. Further he informed that in India 5% students never get a chance to see any book. Not only that, he told 90% of students do not study after 12th because of many reasons.

He clearly explained the difference between illiterate and uneducated people. Illiterate are those who don’t know anything to read or write while uneducated are those who don’t get proper education.He even showed us few videos of alumni who had joined Teach for India and today their students have done so many great activities not only in studies but also in development of country. He then ended his lecture and everyone had mixed feelings. Some were sad and angry knowing the real condition of poor children while some where happy as these type of programs are there to help those poor students.


The Vision

To conclude it was an encouraging session and many looked forward to join Teach for India.










Friday, August 15, 2014

Tree Plantation

Dr.D.K.Nauriyal

The great scientist Albert Einstein once  said- “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand better.”To Follow his saying ,Tree Plantation drive was organized by the National Service Scheme (NSS) students of IIT Roorkee on the eve of Independence Day. A total of fifteen saplings were planted throughout the campus of IITR.
Dr.D.K.Nauriyal, Dr.SmitaJha,Dr.Inderdeep Singh planting 
                                        The program  began with plantation of  saplings at the Mandi Cell lawn by the Dean of Students’ Welfare Dr.D.K.Nauriyal, the NSS coordinator Dr.SmitaJha, Dr.Inderdeep Singh and others. Then two saplings were planted in front of the Institute Hospital by the Chief Medical Officer Dr.M.K.Jha. Further, more plants like Dussheri Mango, Guava and Jamun were planted in the campus near Azad Bhawan, ABN School, etc. The students walked through the campus and carried out the program with great zeal and enthusiasm. Dr.SmitaJha also addressed  students about initialising the cleaning of  Ganga Canal.
Students get motivated

                                       This Tree Plantation drive taught the students to observe and learn from nature. Trunk of a tree teaches to stay strong, branches teach to bend as per situation. Planting trees also contribute for the betterment of future generations. In this way, NSS IIT Roorkee stepped ahead in making the campus greener.  

Institute Quiz

Day after day our dependence on internet is increasing extremely to obtain many things such as: information, research on various topics, communicating with each other across the globe in order to have more comprehension about people, customs and for exchange of thoughts and ideas with others. One of the motivating ways for increasing information and getting fun at the same time is general knowledge quizzes. They help us to keep our minds fit and agile.


        In consideration of the above thoughts NSS,IIT Roorkee organised ‘Institute Quiz’ on the occasion of 15th August,2014 at 5 pm. The quiz was held at Mandi cell of IIT Roorkee campus. The quiz was open to all the students of IIT Roorkee in groups of two.  About 10 teams participated in the quiz enthusiastically. A total of 36 questions were asked related to general knowledge about Indian history, Current Affairs etc. The questions were being presented to the participants on screen through a projector. Some of the questions were like ‘When was the Tiranga first planted on Mount Everest?’ , ‘How many High Courts are there in India?’ ,etc. The quiz continued for about half an hour and the students participated with full eager and zeal. The programme proved to be a great achievement and was also a great initiative of NSS, IIT Roorkee. Such events also inculcate a habit of learning among youths.



Prabhat Pheri

India celebrates her Independence Day on 15th August every year. The day is being celebrated since India won her freedom from the foreign rule on 15th August 1947 and became a sovereign nation. This privilege is given to us by the great leaders of this nation, who thought for the nation more than their personal lives and fought for the country.



Keeping 68th Independence Day in mind, NSS IIT Roorkee organised the event of Prabhat Pheri. Students had to walk around the campus enjoying the 68th Independence Day celebration and bringing awareness among people about few latest issues by some beautiful songs.

In morning sharp at 6 A.M. all the 9 groups of NSS had joined at Mandi cell where all had to commence the Prabhat Pheri. A large crowd turned up. Everyone was excited as it was the time to show dedication towards the country and nobody was feeling sleepy early at 6. Many students had posters and banners of Independence Day. Everyone assembled in 3 lines and after practising few songs of patriotism, the walk started. Students went on, shouting "Jai Hind, Jai Bharat", " Vande Mataram". 



They also followed the lines of song sung by the speaker. They moved to LBS ground and from there they took a turn to the Hostel Complex for Boys. Even they tried to wake up their hostel-mates by shouting “Inquilab Zindabad”, who hadn’t attended this event.




 Then they moved to convocation hall but the voice never got fainted. Infact the noise intensity kept on increasing showing their interest towards the event and finally they reached MGCL where this event came to a successful end.


This Prabhat Pheri has brought immense happiness to all students and prompted a feeling of patriotism among them. Surely next year everyone will be waiting for this event.


Pragati Cell Motivates School Students

On the very occasion of Independence Day, members of Pragati cell NSS IIT Roorkee, set out to interact with the young vivacious minds of Junior High School in Paniyala, a village at the distance of about 7 kilometres from the IITR campus. The team, consisting of a total of 16 students, participated in Schools’ Independence Day Celebration.
Quiz conducted by NSS Pragati Cell 
Followed by the flag hoisting ceremony, the students sung the National Anthem and paid their homage to their country. The program was attended by 130 students of the school. Following the “Learn involving Fun!!!” motto, the NSS group conducted a Quiz in which the students participated exuberantly.

Performances by the Junior High School students
The event followed was a vibrant show of singing and dancing performances on the patriotic tunes, by 8th standard students, that won the hearts of the audience. After awarding these talented performers, Mr. Arshad Ali Shaikh, executive member of Pragati cell and Mr. Vikash Yadav, a volunteer of the cell, addressed the students. Through their influential speech, they appealed the students to be proud of their motherland, fight against prevailing injustice and to be faithful to their nation and fellow citizens. Mr. Shaikh also expressed his patriotism through a beautiful poem. The children seemed quite inspired by them.

Mr. Arshad Sheikh addressing the students
The principal, Mrs. Ritunan Kainthila, concluded the ceremony with a vote of thanks to the Pragati team. She encouraged the students to follow the advice given by them. The top five winners of the quiz were awarded with various attractive prizes. 
Prize distribution ceremony
Independence Day was then celebrated by distributing sweets to everyone. The programme thus ended with cheers and smiles on the faces of children and with a feeling of deep satisfaction spread across the faces of volunteers. Someone rightly said,

          “The change you make today could be the difference of tomorrow.”
NSS Pragati  Team

Video Screening

Being born in a free country, living and breathing in free air is a privilege which only the present generation enjoys. It is therefore significant for the children of present times to have a glance at the great leaders of our nation and our beautiful nation itself.  Patriotism towards one’s own motherland is an exemplary attribute that should be inculcated in children. Since children can imbibe any quality with ease, patriotism can be strengthened from its roots by teaching children about our nation.

Engrossed students watch videos
With this spirit, NSS IIT Roorkee organized a video screening on the 68th Independence Day, August 15, 2014 which was held at the Prerna room in Mandi cell. The underprivileged students in and around Roorkee attended this event. This video screening portrayed the freedom fighters of India who have shed their blood for liberty of the nation like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh and many others .It is vital to acquaint the children of our country with the history of our freedom and educate them about it. Only then can the sapling of liberty and freedom, watered by the blood of these patriots, flourish into a tree.
Volunteer takes the quiz

The videos brought the forty children present there into great attention. It was followed by a brief quiz about the freedom fighters. The students took part in this quiz with utmost enthusiasm. The ones who gave the right answer were given goodies like chocolates, pens, books etc. This motivated other students to also perform their best. Besides this, a competition on delivering a speech on any one freedom fighter was conducted. Here too, the students participated with a lot of zeal and were distributed goodies.

Our flag honours those who have fought to protect it and this event was a reminder of sacrifice of our nation. It is our responsibility to educate the children of our freedom struggle so that they imbibe value of patriotism in them. It is our duty to the nation, the flag and we must abide by it.







Thursday, August 7, 2014

Prayukti

I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.”NSS, IIT Roorkee is back with its bustling activities and started the semester with Prayukti, held on sixth August evening in O. P. Jain auditorium. 
Students being motivated
The program started with a motivation speech by Dr. Smita Jha, NSS program coordinator. Truly, to be part of such a social working group, one needs to be full of motivation and zeal. Social work not only helps society to flourish but it also provide satisfaction to people who do this. Her words reinforced these ideas in every brick of the auditorium.


Dr, Vimal Kumar expressing his thoughts.










The words of wisdom from Dr. Vimal Kumar and Dr. Anil Gourishetty, NSS program officers, laid great emphasis on building up of the nation and 

Swami Vivekananda ideologies.

 It provided an excellent opportunity for the central team to interact with the new members of the group. Each cell secretaries introduced their cell and welcomed the first yearities to the team. They advised them to work with diligence and prudence. The students made full use of the opportunity to quench their doubts. Thus, the first event was marked with enthusiasm and a pledge to take NSS to new heights.