MAHE plans nearly 50 projects for Daan Utsav

Manipal Academy of Higher Education(MAHE) will celebrate Daan Utsav from October 2 to 8, for the sixth consecutive year. Nearly 50 projects will be implemented to spread the joy of giving by touching the lives of others. The projects, facilitated by the Volunteer Services Organization (VSO), will be hosted by the constituent colleges of MAHE, both Manipal and Mangaluru campuses.

The projects range from health camps, dental camps to book donation and many more. A library will be made for one of the Academy schools. The joy of giving week will have slum kids as a priority. School walls will be painted and students will be taught science experiments using models. They will also recieve career guidance and support.

Projects like “fistful of grain” will be organised for school children, where students will be asked to donate a fistful of rice everyday, before having their meals during the Daan Utsav week. The rice will then be distributed to the underprivileged through VSO.

A mobile “wish-tree” will go around the University campus with wishes from children of an identified school. People are expected to fulfil the wishes of the children. ‘Health on a Budget’ project will create awareness among college students on how to practice healthy eating at an economical price. Hygiene drive, sustainable environment teaching for slum dwellers and teaching digital payments to Self Help Groups will also be implemented.

Launched in 2009 in the country, Daan Utsav, formerly known as the “Joy of Giving Week” starts on Gandhi Jayanthi and is marked by a week full of activities aimed at bringing together people from all walks of life to ‘give’ voluntarily.