Humanitarian Day @ XIMB

The social responsibility cell of XIMB observed the second World Humanitarian Day on August 19^th with great vigour and enthusiasm. The event was to commemorate the work of humanitarian workers and to keep burning the lamp of humanity alive.

Esteemed dignitaries like chief guest Shri. Surya Narayan Patra (Honorable Minister, Revenue and Disaster Management), Mr.Dipankar Datta (Director, Concern Worldwide), Mr. Nikunja Kumar Sundaray (MD, Orissa State of Disaster Management), Mr. Mihir Bhatt (All India Institute of Disaster Mitigation) and our beloved director Fr.P.T.Joseph were present in the dais. There were several highlights of the event - The talk by the eminent dignitaries, the flash video presentation by the SRC volunteers, the candle light march, to name a few.

The event started off with the dignitaries lighting the lamp which was followed by a prayer song by the SRC volunteers. Then the director Fr.P.T.Joseph gave a welcome address. After that, the director of Concern Worldwide, gave an enlightening speech about the activities of the organisation.

Next was the touching flash video by the SRC volunteers. It conveyed a great motivational message that each one of us can make a difference if we do our little bit for the humanitarian cause. It attracted the attention and praise of the esteemed guests present in the dais.

In his keynote address, Mihir Bhat spoke of inclusion and investment in skill, knowledge, experience and exposure among aid workers. We also had an enlightening talk by Mr. Nikunja Kumar Sundaray.

SRC had conducted a national level essay writing competition with the theme “humanitarianism & climate change”. It had got an overwhelming response with participation of students from India’s reputed b-Schools like IIM-A, SIBM-Pune, IIFT-kolkata and Wellingkar. The prizes for the winners were distributed during the event.

Dr.Ambika Nanda from UNDP shared his thoughts from his volunteering experiences and also recited an Odia poem in remembrance of humanitarian expert late Shri. Shiv Narayan Mishra. He was posthumously felicitated by the dignitaries.

Then we had the lighting of the candles by the SRC Volunteers. They marched into the dais and observed 1 minute silence in remembrance of the heroes who lost their breath in order to keep somebody alive.

Then the development Atlas was released by the Chief Guest Shri.Surya Narayan Patra, Hon’ble Minister, Revenue & Disaster Management. A brief description of the Atlas was given by an expert from FES, Ahmedabad. Chief Guest then addressed the gathering.

Finally our beloved Dean (Academics) Mr Subhajyoti Ray gave the vote of thanks. The event ended with a national anthem by the SRC Volunteers. The event had the participation of all the students, faculty and other invited guests. The spirit of the humanitarian day was rightly conveyed through the event.