DONATE BLOOD...SAVES LIVES

The importance of blood donation can be gauged by the fact that “every 3.75 seconds someone needs a blood transfusion”.

“Donate Blood...Save Lives” was the essence of the blood donation camp organized by the monthly activity team of the Somaiya Social Cell on 28^th August in the SIMSR premises from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Somaiya Medical Hospital was also involved in the event. It was a great success with the expected number of 70 donors met by 2 pm itself.

Organizing Team

A team comprising of a doctor and 10 paramedics, and headed by Prof. Nalini Kumthekar, had come from the Somaiya Medical Hospital (Chunnabatti). The arrangement was such that six simultaneous blood donations could take place. Each donor contributed 350 ml of blood. Not just the students from SIMSR, but students from the Arts and Commerce College and Engineering College also turned up to donate blood. Even our very own teachers donated blood and supported the noble cause.

Faculty donating blood

On being asked, Prof. Kumthekar, with over 30 years of experience in coordinating blood donation camps, said that she was very happy and also surprised by the overwhelming response received by this event. She also added that, it was easier to organise a blood donation camp in SIMSR because the coordination by the Social Cell volunteers was very good and the students seemed to be better informed about blood donation camps. A student who was a first time donor, said that the event was well organised and it made him feel good that he had contributed in his own way to help someone unknown. The slide show running all through the event describing DOs and DON’Ts of blood transfusion was very informative and appreciated by all.

For a noble cause

The monthly activity team and all the Social Cell volunteers surely deserve lauding for organising the event with so much dedication and enthusiasm. This event turned out to be another feather in the cap of the Social cell.

STRENGHTENING TIES AT THE OLD AGE HOME

Since times immemorial, Raksha-bandhan has been celebrated in India as a day when brothers take a vow to protect their sisters from all evils till their last breath; and rakhi is a symbol of that eternal vow. The history behind this ritual dates back to the Mughal era when famous Mughal emperor Humayun got a Rakhi from Rani Karnawatee of Chittor.
On this holy occasion, happiness is writ on the face of every brother and sister. To share this happiness, our team planned to spend a day with the inmates at the Old Age Home called Matoshree Vriddhashram locate at Khadavli in Thane district. The Vriddhashram is situated 1.5 km to the east of the railway station. The sylvan retreat for the 80 old people was really a treat to the eyes for all of us. But this charming-looking place had a sad story to tell. As the students’ team went in, they found out that the old people staying there were mostly those who were left and forgotten by their children. So when they saw us, their expressionless faces beamed up. They could feel that amidst the revelry going on outside, there was someone who remembered them.
We, the team of 11 students, visited the place on 16th August 2008. When we reached there, the chief caretaker of the home made a brief opening about the importance of the day and why we were there. Hearing that we wanted to spend the whole day with them, the old people were really happy. We had rakhis and fruits for all of them. The old women tied rakhis to all the men present there. After that, all those who were present there had their lunch which we served them. They tried to remember all our names and places we belonged to while we served them food. There were some elderly people who were either sick or very weak to come to the dining hall for their lunch so food had to be taken to their bedsides. Post-lunch we all sat down for some fun and entertainment. Few of the old people sang songs for us, cracked jokes and had some funny skits to share. It continued with quoted verses by one among them followed by sher-o-shayari and even qawalis. Then, we visited the dormitories where they were housed. We chatted with them and in their feeble voices they shared their feelings. They talked about their pilgrimage to Vaishnodevi and for many it was their first flight ever. There were some who are interested in writing and some who spent time knitting and some enjoyed gardening. This is how they spend their lonely moments.
Every day is the same for them but they told us “Don’t think we are sad here. We are much happier here than we would have been had we stayed with our children”. They have toiled all their lives to see their children happy and finally at the dusk of their lives, they are estranged by them. How hard it is to live such a neglected life when one needs to be supported and cared for! It was surely a day in our lives that we all will never forget.

PEHEL CELEBRATES INDEPENDENCE DAY

The 61st Independence Day of India was celebrated with great pomp and show by the Pehel team and the young kids on the Somaiya campus. The kids turned out in good numbers with a lot of enthusiasm.

The event began at around 7:30 am with the kids being taken to the Arts and Science College in the campus. They witnessed the hoisting of the National Flag and the Guard of Honour. On special request of the Pehel team members, the kids were allowed to sing the National anthem before everyone present and this was really appreciated by one and all. Singing before such a huge crowd boosted their confidence and the kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Once the event was over, the kids were taken back to the SIMSR hostel for some more fun and frolic with the students.
The events lined up were three-legged race, marble-and-spoon race and a balloon inflating competition. The kids and the hostelites alike participated with a lot of competitive spirit and enthusiasm.

The events were eventually won by Nalesh, Arif, Safik, Manisha, and Jannat. The kids also exhibited their dancing and singing skills by performing with the Pehel team. Next followed relaxation and chilling out with some sweets, fruits and soft drinks.
The eventful, fulfilling and exciting day concluded by once again saluting the spirit of freedom and singing the national anthem. They also invoked the blessings of the Almighty by singing a prayer.

This was just a small gesture on the part of the Somaiya Social Cell to spread smiles to some of the young saplings of this great nation. Could there have been a better way to celebrate?

PROJECTING THE SOCIAL CAUSE AT SPRIHA 2008

The much awaited summer project competition of SIMSR, popularly known as SPRIHA was held on 9th August’08. The Somaiya Social cell had set up a kiosk in the ground floor lobby of the college building to showcase the products of the various projects supported by the cell. The kiosk was managed by the first year students and the marketing team in different time slots throughout the event.

The preparation for the kiosk started well in advance with the different project teams coordinating with the respective communities for the products, keeping a record of the beginning inventory and preparing the posters for display during the kiosk. The kiosk was up and running by 9 am with products from projects like Warli, Sahas, Andhra toys, Old age Home, Sankalp and Paraphlegic on display. The entire purpose for this kiosk was to showcase the talent of different communities and facilitate the sale of the products like Warli paintings, earrings made by the women of project Sahas, cloth folders, envelopes and bags from project Sankalp, table clothes and purses from people of the Old Age Home, gel candles from Paraphlegic etc.

The Warli paintings were the highlight of the kiosk with almost every second person enquiring about them and appreciating the art. Quite a number of these paintings of different sizes were sold. There was also a lot of demand for the cloth folders and envelopes from Sankalp resulting in stock-out much before the end of the event. Leads were obtained for possible bulk orders in future. In terms of quantity of products, earrings from the project Sahas were sold in maximum numbers.

What was really encouraging was the overwhelming appreciation received by the Social Cell for this initiative from corporate guests, faculty and students alike. A small effort to touch hearts and challenge destinies was indeed a success.