JOIN USTaking time out from the hectic schedule, students of Management Development Institute (MDI) Gurgaon, were actively involved in social activities last week. Samaritans, the student-run social initiatives club and Sanskriti, the cultural club of MDI jointly hosted Arohan ’15 – Be The Change, the annual social awareness week from February 1st to 8th. As part of this initiative, every year the students of MDI strive to address various social issues and conduct events for the welfare of the society.
In a bid to give the real feel to Mahatma Gandhi’s words - Be the change you want to see in the world- students, this year, organised as many as nine different activities, tackling some of the contemporary issues that included cleanliness, thalassemia awareness, stem cell donation, racism, cancer and AIDS awareness and ‘Save Water’ campaign.
In sync with the national sentiment of the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan’, students initiated the activities with a cleanliness drive at Subhash Chandra Bose Park in Sector 14. Students collected litter and swept the park. The onlookers and the locals were informed of the risks associated with the improper dumping of garbage.
On the same day, 60 students took part in the event - Mandevian Miles Marathon supporting various causes like uniting against racism, child education, world peace and welfare of autistic children. Being a part of the noble cause, the winners of the marathon donated their prize money to the cause of the weekly visits of MDI to Prayatna School of Excellence for underprivileged children. Kids from the school visited the MDI campus and participated in quiz and other cultural activities.
National Thalassemia Welfare Society conducted a Blood Donation Camp within the campus where 83 MDI students (fondly known as Mandevians) donated blood while 36 pledged to donate their stem cells. Many got themselves checked for thalassemia disease.
Volunteers also visited Rajkiya Government School in order to spread awareness on hygiene and sanitation. Through videos and storytelling, volunteers’ educated students about the importance of cleanliness in their locality.
Rohit Shankarmani , secretary, Samaritans said, “Arohan is our way of providing a platform for spreading awareness about pressing social issues through contributions from the student community. Over the years, the social awareness week has gained traction and is a much anticipated event on campus.”
In order to encourage the future leaders of the country to be more involved in charitable and social welfare activities, Isha Chauhan, fellowship recruitment associate at ‘Teach For India’ briefed the students regarding the educational inequity present in India and the various activities done by the NGO.