Thursday, October 4, 2012

Making a Difference

A simple act of kindness begets another...A smile is contagious... A small act of generosity lingers in the heart!! A small act from our side can make a huge difference in the life of someone....And be they planned or random...articulated or not...these gestures can help create a better world!!
And that is the reason we are here...to spread these words of kindness...of generosity... and to bring to you stories which bring a positive aura along with them...An undying spirit of OPTIMISM...A Sense of belief in the eternal value of HUMANITY...and An Admiration for the countless people who are making difference to the lives of many...

We are here to create a happier world...and we beckon all of you to come with us and help us make the difference and spread the smile! After  all... 
A Smile is Contagious...Lets Spread It!

Leia Mais…

Gandhi Jayanti - Spreading Smiles



“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”- Mahatma Gandhi

On the occasion of this Gandhi Jayanti, team SRC undertook two initiatives to sensitize the student community and mobilize resources for the service of the less privileged.

As management students, all of us at XIMB are aware of Maslow’s law, and how clothing is a basic human need. SRC, in partnership with the Bakul foundation, worked at this need satisfaction by becoming a channel for transfer of clothing from those who had it in abundance, to the deprived. A massive fortnight-long collection drive was held across the campus. People donated everything from surplus clothing, footwear, umbrellas to unused stationary. It was indeed heartening to see our friends join in the ‘Joy Of Giving’.

In the second initiative, a 14-member strong team from SRC spent 2nd October with at Satyasai Seva children’s home. We spent the day interacting with kids ranging from the age of 3-14 years, or rather, we spent the day reinforcing invaluable lessons via these kids.


Some of the lessons re-learnt were:

1.       Experience each moment to the fullest
The enthusiasm the children displayed every activity was inspiring. Be it group games, team competitions, singing, dancing, enacting movie scenes, or posing for photographs, the energy they radiated was simply uplifting. Theirs was the loudest voice and every voluntary activity saw a whole posse of eager participants.

2.       Approach your elders as students, your equals as peers, and your juniors as teachers
All the children were extremely respectful, not only to us volunteers, but to each other as well. They were all eager to learn, and the elder ones went out of their way to help and instruct the youngsters.
The children were divided into groups of 10 each, and were assigned 2 volunteers. Each group had to come up with a name. It was heartening to see the elders kids take the opinion of the younger ones, and explain the rationale behind the chosen name. Virat Kohli, Spiderman and Ben 10 were the favourites for group names.

3.       Smile is the universal language
More than half of the volunteers didn’t know Odiya, but they needn’t have worried! The children, rather than remaining reclusive as we feared, painstakingly tried to learn and converse in hindi. Moreover, they were easily reassured by a smile and the interaction happened quite seamlessly courtesy a happy, friendly countenance on both sides.


To add to the joy of the day, two celebrities from the Odiya film industry (Ollywood) graced the occasion and interacted with kids- noted actor Mr. Akash Das Nayak and celebrated villain Mr. Samresh Routray. The joy that lit the faces the children was worth seeing when they talked to their idols, saw live performances, and got acting tips.

As the day drew to a close, we left with a joyous heart, grateful for having experienced the truth behind another of Bapu’s famous teachings-

“The law of love could be best understood and learned through little children”




Leia Mais…

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

World Humanitarian Day


World Humanitarian Day is a special day dedicated to recognize those who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes. Every year, the global day is celebrated on 19th August.  XIMB has celebrated the special day with a ‘Nukkad Natak’ performance and a complete evening dedicated to speeches by eminent people from diversified fields.


A few captivating stories were the part of the ‘Nukkad Natak’ and was organized in the campus of XIMB and outside a shopping mall in Bhubaneswar. A huge crowd has witnessed the performance by 8-10 students of XIMB and felt the essence of world humanitarian day in a different way. 


The summary of all the short stories is to spread the spirit of humanity everywhere and to help people whenever they are in need. The stories were scripted taking examples from real life. The scene of a women asking for help to the crowd around because her husband has got a heart attack and later being helped by the people was indeed a scene worth watching. The fabulous acting by the students of XIMB has astonished each spectator who witness the world humanitarian day with the splendid ‘Nukkad Natak’.


The evening of 19th August at XIMB has witnessed great speeches by several eminent speakers from across diversified fields and having different perspective on celebration of world humanitarian day. The speeches were probably related to different perspectives of the society, although, all the speeches moved around the same concept of humanity and the requirement of people helping people around.


The level of violence has reached to a high extent in the past few years especially in India. We as the responsible citizens must try to understand the different aspects of humanity and the reason of helping people who are in real need. United Nations have probably dedicated one special day for this cause, but we should think about dedicating each second of our lives for the existence of humanity.

Leia Mais…

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Candle March on eve of Independence Day, 2012

In our seeking for…progress as a nation, we all go up or else all go down as one people. -Franklin D. Roosevelt

At the stroke of the midnight hour on 15th August 2012, when India awoke to its 66th Independence Day, the XIMB community came together as one people to celebrate this glorious occasion, and seek progress for ourselves as a nation. Everyone, from the students to the mess workers, was united in this endeavor.


The night started with those present sharing their views on independence. The forms of expressions were myriad, but the underlying message was the same- of unity, patriotism, a need and willingness to work for change. From speeches in Hindi and English, patriotic and devotional songs on the guitar and otherwise, to the national anthem sung by the mess workers, all were greeted with great fervor by the audience.

The show-stopper was a flash-mob by team SRC, wherein the students danced to foot tapping numbers such as Vande Mataram, Suno Gaur Se Duniya Walo, Jai Ho and Rang De Basanti. Along with the beats, the message of each song resonated loud and clear long after the performance was over.


The evening culminated with a poignant candle march honoring the heroes who have fought for the glorious ideals of our nation. Together we marched, along the X-walk, with a spring in our step, a candle in our hand, a patriotic song on our lips and a glow in our hearts. At the end of the walk, we arranged the candles to form the outline of India’s map, realizing, that while our nation glowed and looked beautiful from the outside, inside there was still darkness to be found; corruption, poverty, ignorance and other social evils, still to be vanquished. It is fitting that at this solemn moment, we reaffirmed our pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.

“So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.”  -Baha'u'llah 


We at XIMB are united in this cause, and eagerly wait for the day when the whole of India will be lit up with peace, prosperity and happiness. We invite you to join us in this endeavor, and do your bit for our motherland.

Leia Mais…

Independence Day Celebrations


“Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, and the spirit of men”
Call it a sacred duty or an extension of the self, Independence Day is an event of importance for everyone. This year 15th of August was organized by the Social Responsibility Cell of XIMB and celebrated in the campus with zeal and glory. The morning of 15 August was observed with a flag hoisting ceremony and cultural activities thereafter. The presence of Honorable Director and esteemed faculties of XIMB fraternity, students, and other staffs made the event livelier. The flag hoisting was followed by speeches by faculties and students.


The speeches focused on a critical thought, is India really free after 65 years? A speech was also delivered by one of XIMB’s own mess bhainas which left the crowd spellbound. Patriotic songs by students connected with each one present there to grace the wonderful occasion. A play was organized which indeed was an eye-opener for all spectators. The students performed on the lines of freedom fighters and portrayed how importance was freedom then and what is it in today’s world. It left all with a question to reflect upon. The play was well acknowledged by the onlookers. Wishes and messages were shared among each other as the ambience was filled with the flavor of freedom. A call for responsibility, a call for brotherhood, a call for humanity was the subtle undercurrent carried by the series of events throughout the celebrations.


The celebrations were not the end of the day. To give a new meaning to the vibrant Independence Day, the Social Responsibility Cell visited Daya, a home for girls. The interaction started with introduction and fun activities. The first activity was “Follow the leader” which acted as a warm up and amusement. The place echoed with kids cheering and laughing. Then followed a group activity called “Passing the parcel” in which a few SRC members also participated to encourage the kids. In course of the game the kids showcased their talent of singing, dancing and storytelling. The degree of enthusiasm among the children was commendable. Then a “Learning Paper Craft” session was organized in which some SRC members taught certain paper craft making skills and shared some creative techniques with them.


The response from the kids’ end was overwhelming. This also reflected the bonding among them, as they were helping each other with the paper crafts. The moment was striking and a touchy one. The day came to an end just like any good thing. The goodbyes and messages will always remain etched in our memories. Their glowing eyes just had one expectation –of love. If their education and livelihood means are facilitated by our efforts then one day we can call India free in the true sense. The Social Responsibility Cell of XIMB looks forward with hope to be able to join hand in spreading joy in their lives in days to come and elevate the factor of freedom with each Independence Day.JAI HIND !

 
 

Leia Mais…