Report on Activities Proposed, Undertaken and Carried Out by Sankalp (CSR) Club
Sankalp, the CSR Committee of IIM Sirmaur, is the embodiment of Institute's spirit for significantly contributing to the society. The committee addresses a wide variety of social issues and enables each member of the student body and the IIM Sirmaur family at large, to become responsible toward the society and become socially-conscious citizens.
For the academic year 2019-2020, the committee sprang into action right from the word go. In the backdrop of the floods in Bihar and Assam, the team organised a donation drive in the month of July. It was ensured that every contribution, small or large, was directed to those affected.
The committee's next activity was on a lighter note. A short video message was circulated for friendship day where the members could be seen befriending individuals of all shapes and sizes. From the under privileged children to the plants and puppies inside the campus, the message that 'we are here when you need us' was communicated.
The eve of the 73rd Independence, saw Sankalp organize a plantation drive. The staff, faculty and students actively participated in this. The occasion was graced by the Director of the Institute. This drive aimed to spread awareness about the urgent need to increase the green cover of the planet.
In the hopes of strengthening the college's relation with the local communities and brightening the day for some of the underprivileged children, Sankalp arranged the celebration of Raksha Bandhan. Dozens of innocent children were invited into the campus for a day of fun activities and celebrations. At the end of the day, both parties were left enriched.
In the month of September, IIM Sirmaur observed 'Swachhata Pakhwada' (the celebration of cleanliness). The prime focus of this was to increase the awareness of the hazards caused by single use plastic. Keeping in line with this goal, a gunny bag donation drive was arranged with the students and administration where the team visited the residents of the adjoining hamlet and distributed jute bags as an alternative to single use plastic.
Giving a true understanding to the word 'community outreach', blood donation drive was organised in the campus in collaboration with the medicos of IMA Dehradun. The day saw 92 young individuals step up to this call and voluntarily donating their blood. The camp was inaugurated by Ms. Lalitha Thakur, India's National Kabaddi player, making the initiative special.
Sankalp also believes in practically implementing what is learned in the classroom to the lives of those around us. For achieving this, the members actively got involved with the BDO (Block Development Officer) of Paonta Sahib. As a consequence, the members were able to initiate and acquire three live projects for local wellbeing. The first one was to find a sustainable and viable solution to the waste management issues prevalent in the area. The other two projects saw the students support two self-help groups augment their business offerings. This augmentation included not just marketing, but also increasing the operational efficiency. One of these groups sold Pattal Plates while the other specialized in providing Sanitary Pads for women.
In addition to all the above events, the committee is also proud to announce 'UDVEG: Run for Unity', a mini-marathon to be held on 31st October (the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel) under the auspices of the Ministry of Human Resource Development. The marathon is aimed to support the cause 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat'. The marathon will see various colleges and residents come together to promote a healthier and connected community.
Sankalp intends to be a juggernaut of positive societal growth and an agent for change. The secretary of Sankalp, Mr. Kushagra Tripathi leads by example. He made it to the top ten of the prestigious 'Flame Awards' for rural interns. Under the dedicated services of students of IIM Sirmaur, the community outreach initiative strives to remain true to its slogan 'Sowing Hope into Lives' and make IIM Sirmaur an institute that cares.
