IISM’s Institute Social Responsibility Cell (ISRC) and other students doing their bit for the society

IISM has students having diverse perspectives and interests who’ve involved themselves in a number of activities on and off the field. While the world is combating the outbreak of pandemic coronavirus, our frontline warriors are busy protecting us from the hazards. However, we are proud that IISM’s Institute Social Responsibility Cell (ISRC) and other students are dedicating their time in giving back to the society in difficult times. Here are some stories of a few IISM students involved.

Bhavna Suthar and Khushiyon Ki Toli

Parallel to her studies, Bhavna Suthar has undertaken social work as it gave her immense happiness. It began with her spreading smiles through distributing food. She knew that this wasn’t all and would have to educate people in slum areas in order for them having a better future.

It has been a year since Bhavna initiated Khushiyon Ki Toli, her own social help group which reaches out to people in Kanchpada, Malad and Kandivali slums. Kids in these slums worked at tea stalls and other stores to feed their families. It was important for them to have a purpose and motive in life. Hence, Kushiyon Ki Toli began counselling these kids and later began tutoring them just like a school would. The kids in the slums now pray, exercise, learn basic English & maths, do fun activities, artwork etc.

Now, in this lockdown time Bhavna and her friends tried providing the needy families some basic ration to help them and support them in this disastrous situation.

Khushiyon Ki Toli raised a sum amount of 80,000 INR in a day for helping more than 100 families. This was possible as they circulated messages and posts and people did their bit wholeheartedly. The essentials were bought at the earliest and packets having 2 types of dal, rice, sugar, oil, salt and wheat flour were distributed to those families.

The team of friends were supported and very well guided by Malad police for acquiring permissions and all other documentation. These activities were accomplished by taking all necessary precautions and using masks, gloves and sanitizers.

Till now the team has served to more than 450 families by raising over 2 Lakhs INR. The food packets having 5 kg flour, 5 kg rice, 2kg dal, 1 litre oil, half kg salt, each, were distributed at Malwani, Malad west.

”Khushiyon Ki Toli thank each and every donor for helping us spread smiles. I urge more and more people to come forward and stand with these people in difficult times. We are on a mission and would soon cross the 500 families mark”, Bhavna Suthar.

Abhishek Kulkarni and Aim Sports Foundation

Abhishek Kulkarni’s Grandfather always wanted to contribute in the betterment of rural areas. Unfortunately, he is no more, but Abhishek is living his grandfather’s dream with Aim Sports Foundation since 2018, Founded by his father- Mr. Ajit Kulkarni.

Sports unite people and has the power to make a difference in the present and future of many. Hence, the foundation organized a competition named Dhadas for girls in Tansa. To motivate the girls, they kept prizes like cycles, certificates, shirts, caps, medals and breakfast for the athletes. They organized Dhadas 2.0 in 2019 which garnered great response.

In tough situation of COVID-19, Aim Sports Foundation has undertaken mission of extending help and joy to thousands of families in rural areas. Till now, the foundation has:

• Provided grocery to 1000+ tribal families in rural Thane.
• Started community kitchen for daily wagers and for worker’s families. Where their team cooks food and serve 1-time meal to 700 to 800 people on a regular basis.
• The Police force is working day night in hot and humid conditions. We’ve provided 10 thousand mineral water bottles to the Police force in Zone 5 and in 8 police stations in Thane.
• Distributing PPE kits to the police force and doctors.
• Distributed Buttermilk and Aim’s caps to the migrants.
• Every alternate day distributing groceries in slums to 50 families.

‘Social Service is a great responsibility. Today, we are fortunate enough to be sleeping peacefully. Sadly, thousands of them don’t have the same fate. A little bit from your end may be a lot for many”, Abhishek Kulkarni.

Akshay Mehta and team

IISM’s Institute Social Responsibility Cell Student, Akshay is a part of SRLC i.e. Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care, a football club, which is involved in social work by providing meals, medical supplies and other essentials to the people who are not having homes to stay in. This is to keep their families safe in this disastrous situation. The foundation is Inspiredby Shrimad Rajchandraji and guided by Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai

SRLC has initiated activities aimed at providing safety and relief to individuals and communities in collaboration with the “Government” as below:

• Sponsoring the preparation and distribution of meals and essentials to the front liner warriors.
• Providing monthly rations to daily wagers
• Medical supplies to the hospitals with equipment and beds.

The sportspersons used to play twice a week and the amount they would spend on turf or ground were collated and donated for the ones who required it.

Many from the foundation raised funds through webinars as well as online music shows; most of them being kids from class 10. They’ve also created a page for the fundraisers under the hash tag #SFCUnitedforCOVIDRelief.

“Our target is to hit 20 lakhsmark. Let’s contribute, however we can! Contribute to the needy people, and ask your friends and families to also step in this noble work”, Akshay Mehta.

It is overwhelming to see our students being part or driving initiatives magnanimously. IISM and IISM’s Institute Social Responsibility Cell is proud of all of the students who are doing their bit for the society. We wish them all the best and hope that more of them come forward for same good deeds.

“We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”