Environment to consumer rights

Unusual ECAs in colleges edu­c­ate students about a variety of subjects - from envi­r­o­n­ment wellness to consumer awareness.

Every college has those really attractive societies –dance, music, fashion and drama – which have all the glamorous offerings. But behind the show-shaa of these high profile societies is a world of people who like to do things silently.

One of these is the Women’s Development Cell – in colleges which provides a forum for students to discuss and thrash out issues concer­n­ing women. Using a diverse range of activities, including talks by academicians and activists, workshops, film screenings, street theatre, field visits and research projects, the WDC helps in creating awareness about the gender discrimination in Indian society.

A little glamour seeps through these societies as well with Film Clubs which are the most desired in colleges. These hold screenings with an aim to create awareness on how the medium of cinema extends beyond entertainment to a form of artistic expression, a reflection of society and a vehicle of social change. Students also find a common platform to discuss and appreciate the medium and its reflection of society. Retrospectives and all kinds of screenings are held.

The Environment Cell is a platform through which students enlighten themselves and others about the importance of environmental issues and sustainable development. Students from various colleges attend national and international conferences and organise various competitions, workshops, seminars and talks on nature to expl­ore different ideas that they may embark upon later in life.

Another unusual society is the Gandhi Study Circle which was started in various colleges in order to sensitise students towards Bapu’s teachings. While it mostly lays low with most students choosing to ignore it because of its uninviting name, it does provide an excellent platform for freshers to learn something very different. Sessions on the life, teachings and films and documentaries on Gandhi are held actively. Trips to Gandhi museum are also undertaken by students.

Then there are also the Consumer Clubs which aim to educate the students to act as healthy consumers by making them aware about their rights and redressal  mechanisms. They impart education to students to make judicious decisions regarding services, goods and legal provisions. Various initiatives are taken and eminent business personalities and organisations bond with these clubs to spread awareness among youth.

The Creative Writing Club is turning out to be one of the most sought after societies especially among students of English and Psychology.

This club encourages new talent to bring out their writing skills in prose and poetry. Competitions, both intra and inter college - are held regularly in all colleges which have this society and have been quite successful in the past.

All these societies use effective media to promote themselves. While there is no hype attached to these, these are the ones who are working towards betterment of the society, in the background, by teaching the youth to build lives and not just their careers.