SIFE unit of K J Somaiya Institute of Management were the regional winners of SIFE 2008 conducted on June 19 th, 2008. At the National Competition 2008, they were appreciated a lot by the jury though they were not the winner. The media report is as follows:
SIFE to bring out leaders and entrepreneurs
Alpha Arts and Science College emerged winner at SIFE India National Competition while JIS College, Kolkata were the winner-up
Alpha Arts and Science College emerged winner at SIFE India National Competition
Making a difference in the society at a tender age of 20 is definitely not an easy task. Tsunami waves completely ravaged Pannayarkuppam village of Tamilnadu and the government funds ceased and the fisherman community was badly affected. Alpha Arts and Science College representing SIFE India undertook the seaweed cultivation project and successfully made it an alternative occupation for the fisherman community. The fishermen were in a need of an alternative occupation. As their expertise lay in sea related activities, these children of the sea were unable to adapt to any other occupation. The SIFE team ensured the profitability of the project and analyzed the global market statistics to establish it among the fisherman community. They identified buyers and suppliers of seaweed across India and made Pepsico a major buyer of this community. Alpha Arts and Science College emerged as the winner of SIFE National Competition. More than 100 students from 35 colleges all across India participated in the SIFE National Competition. Four Regional competitions were held this year in Chennai on June 4, in Delhi on June 12 and in Mumbai on June 19. This year the Alpha Arts and Science College (The winner team will represent India at the World Cup at Singapore on Oct 1-3 2008.)
The runner-up team was JIS College from Kolkata. Jesus and Mary college from Delhi received Rookie award of the year. K.J. Somaiya from Mumbai was also appreciated a lot by the jury for their service to the society.
Some of the projects represented at SIFE National Competition are: JIS College, Kolkata: Established a medical information system has been set up in the Sunderbans, West Bengal making information on hospitals, doctors available, just a call away. Jesus and Mary College, Delhi: Migrant women from the Bhatti mines of Mehrauli, Delhi were rendered jobless after the earthquake in 1990. Jesus and Mary College students established a business model under which this women community were taught to make handmade products like bags and baskets. They identified the end buyers and suppliers, which could give them the raw material at subsidized rates. This project completely uplifted the status of this women community and the project is running successfully in the Mehrauli area of Delhi.
K.J. Somaiya from Mumbai: (Though not winner but was appreciate a lot) K.J.Somaiya College students realized the problem of a large community of immigrant workers in Dhokali Gaon, Thane, who could hardly earn anything because of the lack of any professional skill. Project Initiative: Imparting professional skills like embroidery and tailoring to women in order to help them attain economic stability. Providing tailoring kits and sewing machines (including industrial machines). Building a suitable business model for income generation. Improving the exposure and awareness of women, thereby increasing their self-confidence. Assisting the children of the family with their academics. Inviting industry experts/persons to oversee and evaluate the skills of the women of this community.
All these projects were judged by dignitaries like: * Keshav R. Murugesh – Chairman, SIFE India, President & Chief Operating Officer, Syntel Inc. * Rupendra Singh – Vice Chairman SIFE India, Non Executive Chairman KPMG India * Malini Thadani – Director SIFE India, Head of Public Affairs and Corporate Responsibility, HSBC India * Sudip Bandyopadhyay – Director SIFE India, Director & CEO, Reliance Capital Ltd.
Chairman of SIFE India, Keshav Murugesh says, "SIFE offers these students the opportunity to develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills through learning, practicing and teaching the principles of free enterprise, thereby improving the standard of living for millions in the process. We endeavor to teach important concepts to college students through educational outreach projects, including market economics, entrepreneurship, personal and financial success, and business ethics to better themselves, their communities and their countries."
The link for media report is : http://www.ciol.com/EC/News-Reports/SIFE-to-bring-out-leaders-and-entrepreneurs/23608107344/1/
Monday, June 23, 2008
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
A Visit to Nareshwadi (Project Warli)
Two Somaiya Social Cell members – Vikram and Shruti- made a visit to Nareshwadi – the community under Project Warli. The visit was part of the exchange visit for the students from NOVA university (based in US), who are currently pursuing MBA. Rather than me telling the narration of the visit, it is better to hear form the horse’s mouth. Vikram writes about his experience and the experience of the foreign students who visited the Nareshwadi school.
“There is only one word...in fact two....for the trip to Nareshwadi..."Simply" amazing....an the emphasis on the word simple is because that is what Nareshwadi is all about and the experience was yet out of the world. Shruti and I accompanied the foreign students. The travel from Mumbai to Nareshwadi was endless. The bus took us four long hours as we got stuck up in a traffic jam on the highway. When we reached Nareshwadi, we were quite exhausted but the welcome by the students of Nareshwadi school was too overwhelming for us to remain tired. We had breakfast and we immediately set off for the market at Nareshwadi.The market was about 6 kilometers from the school. En route we caught a glimpse of tribal life - Huts, dry paddy fields, cows and tribal villagers. But the fact was that – that is the real India.
The market was more like a ‘Mela’. Everything was laid out on the ground on newspapers the product range varied from pirated CDs to locally made Jalebis, from Bindis to plastic toys. The foreign students were overwhelmed. They had seen the malls in their home land but never a rural market. But that never prevented them from shopping.We returned, had lunch and were off for a site visit. Inka Pibilova, a Czech who has been working extensively with the NGO along with Patricia madam, showed us around with the enthusiasm of a child. We went to the classes where the students were studying. The classrooms were open without any windows or doors - a system which Inka said was about fresh air, sunlight and improved learning. The students, as young as 8 years old, were overjoyed and were eagerly showcasing their talent by reciting poems and singing songs for us. We had tears in our eyes literally because of the startling fact that one of the largest growing economies of the world had such a poor side to it too. We then went to their hostels where the children stayed. Each hall accommodates around 30 students and all sleep on the floor on a clad mattress with just a trunk to hold their clothes and yet they strive for a better life and better education. I was reminded of my hostel and the cribbing I had about it and my cribbing was reduced to nothing. Nareshwadi school has 500 children, mostly from the tribes and a few from HIV affected parents - the harsh truth.
We saw the vocational training institute of Nareshwadi, which trains students in carpentry, building and painting. These were taught so that the same skills can be used inside the nareshwadi school and it was being implemented there. The vocational students have built their own water tanks and small houses inside the school.We had a cup of tea after which we visited the vegetable and fruit fields inside the premises. The most unbelievable part of the whole visit!!! Spread over a huge land, the fields hold all kinds of vegetables and fruits. You name it and they are there. These vegetables are grown and the same are used to cook food for the students. There is also a dairy which provides milk and also safeguards certain rare species of cows and buffaloes. Fermi compost is used for better growth of vegetables. Drip Irrigation is used for water supply across all fields. The foreigners were really startled and so were we. We then saw the biggest banyan tree ever inside the campus. It was a truly amazing experience.We then came back for another cup of tea and interacted with the school children. We had a chat with them for a long time and had real childlike fun. The joy in their eyes, in seeing and talking with us, moved us all.I can go on writing about Nareshwadi because it was an amazing experience for both me and Shruti. But the thought that really struck our minds was that the biggest joy in life is to make others feel they are cared for and I am really glad that I had an opportunity to experience that.
I personally suggest a visit to Nareshwadi with all the social cell members as a group. There are certain things in life which when we experience makes us think that Life is truly a gift and that experiences in life must be shared with.
- Vikram
“There is only one word...in fact two....for the trip to Nareshwadi..."Simply" amazing....an the emphasis on the word simple is because that is what Nareshwadi is all about and the experience was yet out of the world. Shruti and I accompanied the foreign students. The travel from Mumbai to Nareshwadi was endless. The bus took us four long hours as we got stuck up in a traffic jam on the highway. When we reached Nareshwadi, we were quite exhausted but the welcome by the students of Nareshwadi school was too overwhelming for us to remain tired. We had breakfast and we immediately set off for the market at Nareshwadi.The market was about 6 kilometers from the school. En route we caught a glimpse of tribal life - Huts, dry paddy fields, cows and tribal villagers. But the fact was that – that is the real India.
The market was more like a ‘Mela’. Everything was laid out on the ground on newspapers the product range varied from pirated CDs to locally made Jalebis, from Bindis to plastic toys. The foreign students were overwhelmed. They had seen the malls in their home land but never a rural market. But that never prevented them from shopping.We returned, had lunch and were off for a site visit. Inka Pibilova, a Czech who has been working extensively with the NGO along with Patricia madam, showed us around with the enthusiasm of a child. We went to the classes where the students were studying. The classrooms were open without any windows or doors - a system which Inka said was about fresh air, sunlight and improved learning. The students, as young as 8 years old, were overjoyed and were eagerly showcasing their talent by reciting poems and singing songs for us. We had tears in our eyes literally because of the startling fact that one of the largest growing economies of the world had such a poor side to it too. We then went to their hostels where the children stayed. Each hall accommodates around 30 students and all sleep on the floor on a clad mattress with just a trunk to hold their clothes and yet they strive for a better life and better education. I was reminded of my hostel and the cribbing I had about it and my cribbing was reduced to nothing. Nareshwadi school has 500 children, mostly from the tribes and a few from HIV affected parents - the harsh truth.
We saw the vocational training institute of Nareshwadi, which trains students in carpentry, building and painting. These were taught so that the same skills can be used inside the nareshwadi school and it was being implemented there. The vocational students have built their own water tanks and small houses inside the school.We had a cup of tea after which we visited the vegetable and fruit fields inside the premises. The most unbelievable part of the whole visit!!! Spread over a huge land, the fields hold all kinds of vegetables and fruits. You name it and they are there. These vegetables are grown and the same are used to cook food for the students. There is also a dairy which provides milk and also safeguards certain rare species of cows and buffaloes. Fermi compost is used for better growth of vegetables. Drip Irrigation is used for water supply across all fields. The foreigners were really startled and so were we. We then saw the biggest banyan tree ever inside the campus. It was a truly amazing experience.We then came back for another cup of tea and interacted with the school children. We had a chat with them for a long time and had real childlike fun. The joy in their eyes, in seeing and talking with us, moved us all.I can go on writing about Nareshwadi because it was an amazing experience for both me and Shruti. But the thought that really struck our minds was that the biggest joy in life is to make others feel they are cared for and I am really glad that I had an opportunity to experience that.
I personally suggest a visit to Nareshwadi with all the social cell members as a group. There are certain things in life which when we experience makes us think that Life is truly a gift and that experiences in life must be shared with.
- Vikram
Seminar on "Managing NGOs Effectively"
The Seminar on Managing NGOs Effectively was held on 19th February 2008 at the auditorium of KJ Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research, Mumbai. The event took off with the traditional Prayer of Somaiya. Mr. Ernest Fernandes, Chairman Management Week Committee, from BMA welcomed the Guests & Speakers & mentioned the intent of Celebrations of Management Week in his introductory speech. Mr. Inderpal Singh, Ex-President, BMA & Ex-Head of Production at Godrej Industries was the Chief Guest of the seminar. Mr. Singh emphasised on the importance & relevance of Non Government Organisations in today’s changing corporate landscape. He also expressed his gratitude that the youngsters are also coming up for social cause & helping in building a just & happy society. Mr. R.Subramanian, a renowned Management Consultant & a Guest faculty at SIES, Nerul was the next Keynote Speaker. He laid emphasis on the spiritual relevance of doing the Social work & also thrown some light on the various social developmental activities taken up by various religious institutions & how they are managing their resources in the greater cause of the nation.
Mr. Ramesh Khanna, who has served on the board of various PSUs in the past & is currently practicing financial consultancy spoke on the importance of maintaining transparent accounts. He emphasised on the criticality of effective reporting of finances to all its stakeholders for a public entity, especially NGOs. More transparent an organisation is, more is its credibility & in a way that also increases the efficiency of the NGO. It was Prof. Isaac Jacob, Marketing faculty at KJ SIMSR, Mumbai & Ex-Marketing Head of various MNCs, who spoke about the Marketing dimension of NGOs. He focussed his speech around an AIDS campaign by some NGOs with a Protagonist named BALBIR PASHA & showed some print & TV advertisements. Mr. Savio Vegas presented some crisp facts about the NGO Sector in India & emphasised the need of institutionalizing the NGO Sector. He also apprised the audience about the presence of a framework which certifies the NGOs & also gives them rating before making the forum open to audience for Questions & Answers. Representatives from various NGOs had some doubts in their minds relating to the legal framework which were answered by Mr. Vegas.
Mr. Gladwyn Pinto, Executive president, BMA who also was amongst the distinguished guests expressed his gratitude. Prof (Dr.) Suresh Ghai, Director of KJ SIMSR & Secretary of BMA, concluded the seminar & gave vote of thanks to all the distinguished guests & representatives of NGOs & expressed his gratitude as a host of the event. The Seminar ended with the National Anthem.
Mr. Ramesh Khanna, who has served on the board of various PSUs in the past & is currently practicing financial consultancy spoke on the importance of maintaining transparent accounts. He emphasised on the criticality of effective reporting of finances to all its stakeholders for a public entity, especially NGOs. More transparent an organisation is, more is its credibility & in a way that also increases the efficiency of the NGO. It was Prof. Isaac Jacob, Marketing faculty at KJ SIMSR, Mumbai & Ex-Marketing Head of various MNCs, who spoke about the Marketing dimension of NGOs. He focussed his speech around an AIDS campaign by some NGOs with a Protagonist named BALBIR PASHA & showed some print & TV advertisements. Mr. Savio Vegas presented some crisp facts about the NGO Sector in India & emphasised the need of institutionalizing the NGO Sector. He also apprised the audience about the presence of a framework which certifies the NGOs & also gives them rating before making the forum open to audience for Questions & Answers. Representatives from various NGOs had some doubts in their minds relating to the legal framework which were answered by Mr. Vegas.
Mr. Gladwyn Pinto, Executive president, BMA who also was amongst the distinguished guests expressed his gratitude. Prof (Dr.) Suresh Ghai, Director of KJ SIMSR & Secretary of BMA, concluded the seminar & gave vote of thanks to all the distinguished guests & representatives of NGOs & expressed his gratitude as a host of the event. The Seminar ended with the National Anthem.
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