Sirsi LEADer Teaches Environmental Awareness to 50 Villagers

LEADer Aravind Hegde from MES College of Commerce, Sirsi, conducted "Vanmahotsava" ("Go Green Revolution"), a program to create environmental awareness in his village, Jaddigadde.  After convincing the forestry department to donate over 80 samplings, he gathered 50 villagers and encouraged them to plant the saplings in their home.  Additionally, he taught the villagers about natural rainwater harvesting, and several villagers are now implementing this technique. 

Sirsi LEADer Builds Low-Cost Bridge; Helps 30 Village Families

LEADer Shivaprasad Hegde from MES College of Commerce, Sirsi, identified a need for a bridge in his village of Irgoppa.  The construction of a bridge, however, can require a great deal of time and money.  Shivaprasad innovatively devised a low-cost bridge for his village by using only soil and tree trunks.  Additionally, the construction of the bridge required minimum human resources.  Shivaprasad's bridge is helping over 30 village families. 

Sirsi LEADer Motivates His Village to Take Initiative

LEADer Anath from MES College of Commerce, Sirsi, utilized his LEAD project as a platform to not only improve and inspire his community.  In his village of Narsagal, the main road was badly in need of repair.  He didn't just wait around for a solution to happen; instead, he encouraged the villagers to take action themselves.  Anath and the villagers worked together to repair the road.   Anath's project not only helped the public, it also showed them the importance on taking generating solutions for community problems and taking initiative to solve those problems. 

20 Children Take Interest in Reading and Improve Reading Skills

Possessing strong reading skills are essential for educational success and can open many opportunities.  LEADer Archana from MES College of Commerce, Sirsi, made this realization and decided to stimulate an interest in reading within school children to help them succeed in their future.
Archana worked with 20 government school children and conducted different activities to help them enjoy reading.  Additionally, she collected books from members of the local community and donated them to the school so that the children could continue practicing their reading. 

Sirsi LEADer Helps Rural Women Earn Rs. 6000 Monthly

LEADer Chetana from MES College of Commerce, Sirsi  found that there are lot of rural women who can creatively make the best out of waste material by creating things  such as bags out of old clothes and photo frames and hanging mirrors from arecanut  leaves. However, they lack the knowledge to effectively market their products.  Chetana created opportunity for these women. Because of her initiative,  these women from Hulgol are earning Rs. 6000 to 9000 monthly and only investing Rs.200 monthly. Chetana also connected with the Deshpande Foundation's Navodyami Program to create further opportunities. It's nice to see LEADers connecting the dots and creating sustainable solutions for problems in their communities.

LEAD Locations Celebrate Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated every year to show our brothers the love and appreciation we have for them.   The tradition we follow compels us to tie Rakhis on the wrists of our brothers, and sometimes our close friends.  This year, LEAD took Raksha Bandhan to a whole new level and expanded its outreach of kindness; LEADers from Laxmeshwar, Sirsi, and Dharwad celebrated Raksha Bandhan with people that sometimes get forgotten.

LEADers from Laxmeshwar, Hubli, and Sirsi visited  their local police departments to personally thank and appreciate the police for maintaining the peace in their communities.  The police, in turn, appreciated the LEADers for their service and promised to help keep them safe. 

Laxmeshwar

Hubli

Sirsi

Dharwad

LEADers Rachana, Rajeshwari, and Suvina, all from SDMCET,  each carried out their own initiatives and celebrated Raksha Bandhan with special needs children from different schools.

Sirsi LEADer Brings Happiness to 40 Deaf and Dumb Children

LEADer Chaitra from Government First Grade College, Sirsi, coordinated and executed a painting competition and other activities for deaf and dumb children.  this competition not only provided a unique and fun experience for the children, but it also helped motivate the children as it enhanced their competitive spirit, boosted their confidence, and increased their interest in extracurricular activities.  40 children participated in and enjoyed the competition.  Chaitra's project brightened the lives of these children and brought them happiness.  

LEADer Provides Career Guidance to 60 Students

 

As students or individuals, we seldom recognize the potential of enthusiasm to create positive change!! Miss Chaitra Ganpati Patagar from Govt First Grade College started her LEAD journey just one week ago when she registered...and she's already completed her first project! Chaitra conducted a session on Career Guidance for 60 students of Nilekani High School in Sirsi yesterday on July 24th, 2013. By seeing Chaitra's excitement and passion, the Headmaster of the high school offered Chaitra an appreciation letter for her work. Congrats, Chaitra! We can all learn something from your energetic spirit.

 

Project: Krishihonda (Rainwater Harvest)

Nagaraj Naik (Govt First Grade College, Sirsi)


Rainwater harvesting is the conservation of rainwater to be reused for future needs.  Nagaraj and people in his village of Karoor constructed a krishihonda to help harvest rainwater.  30 villagers benefitted from Nagaraj's project. 

LEAD Valedictory Hubli-Dharwad, Sirsi, Gadag, Laxmeshwar, and Hulkoti

The 2013 LEAD Valedictory function was held on May 6th, 2013, at the Deshpande Foundation in Hubli to commemorate LEADers throughout the Hubli-Dharwad, Sirsi, Gadag, Laxmeshwar, and Hulkoti regions on their year-long efforts. This celebratory event attracted and unified over 250 students and their parents, as well as 12 faculty members, from throughout 15 different colleges.

LEAD (LEaders Accelerating Development Program) aims to develop leadership, problem solving, and entrepreneurial skills through an innovative approach within college students.  Through funding, support, and guidance from the LEAD team at the Deshpande Foundation, LEADers implement projects to create solutions for unresolved problems in their communities.

 Honorable guests of LEAD Valedictory included Mr. Naveen Jha (CEO, Deshpande Foundation), Dr. Mohan Kumar (Principal, SDMCET, Dharwad), Dr. Basavaraj Anami (Principal, KLEIT, Hubli), Dr. Gorbal (Vice-Principal, SKSVMACET, Laxmeshwar), Mr. R. G. Hegde (Principal, MES College of Commerce, Sirsi), and Mr. Gautam Ostwal (CEO, Elegant Drugs, Hubli).

 

The event began with an introduction by Mr. Ajay Suman Shukla (Functional Head, LEAD), who spoke about the tremendous growth and success that the LEAD program has experienced in the past five years since its inception. 

Several faculty members discussed how LEAD has helped diversify and enhance the college experiences of the students.  A few LEADers were then given the opportunity to speak about how LEAD encouraged their personal growth and development.

Mr. Naveen Jha (CEO, Deshpande Foundation) inspired the LEADers by speaking about the power and potential of the youth to instigate positive change in India.  According to him, "There are 300 million youth in India right now.  If each of them did a LEAD project, we could be rid of our problems…the power of small initiatives is very immense.”

Special awards were then presented to various students and faculty members who demonstrated exceptional leadership, projects, and support.  The LEAD Valedictory function award categories and recipients are listed below: 

Supporting College and Faculty: Madhumati (KLEIT, Hubli)
                                                        Gorbal (SKSVMACET, Laxmeshwar)
                                                        S.M. Hegde (MES College of Commerce, Sirsi)
Best Teamwork: Bharath and team (KLEIT, Hubli)
                             Revati and team (KCD Science College)
Best Project: Kartik H. (REC, Hulkoti)
                       Sandesh Bhat (MES College of Commerce, Sirsi)
Best Fundraiser and Event Organizer: Chandrashekar Annigeri (KLEJT, Gadag)
                                                                   Pawan Kumar (BVBCET, Hubli)
Most Initiatives Taken: Kartik Bhat (MES College of Commerce, Sirsi)
                                        Aarya Hallikeri (KLEIT, Hubli)
Best Social Media Promotion: Aarya Halikeri (KLEIT, Hubli)
Best Active Volunteer of the Year: Vijay Matti (SKSVMACET, Laxmeshwar)
Technical Innovation: Atheeq (REC, Hulkoti)
Energy Conservation: Vishwas Hegde (RNS Polytechnic College, Sirsi)
                                      Nihal (SDMCET, Dharwad)
Effective Community Sensitization: Pavaman and Sameer (SDMCET, Dharwad)
Best Project: Techno Social Innovation: Naveen Kumar (SKSVMACET, Laxmeshwar)
Project of Social Value Creation: Jyoti (Kittle Science College, Dharwad)
Project of Education Promotion: Shruti (KLEIT, Hubli)
                                                        Marcia (KLEIT, Hubli)
                                                        Somashekar (SKSVMACET, Laxmeshwar)
Agriculture: Raghav (MES College of Commerce, Sirsi)
Project of Employment Creation: Harsha Hegde (MES College of Commerce, Sirsi)
Livelihood Promotion: Vinayak Bhat (MES College of Commerce, Sirsi)
Best Social Change and Media Attraction: Sai Prakash (KLEIT, Hubli)
Best Community Impact: Ramesh Bhat (Govt First Grade College, Sirsi)
Environment Friendly Initiative: Harish Pawar (KLEIT, Hubli)

The 2013 LEAD Valedictory Function honored not only the LEADers and their projects, but it also celebrated the power of youth, leadership, and initiative. 

Project: Volleyball Tournament for Rural Youth

Ganapati Hegde (MES College of Commerce, Sirsi)

Ganapati found that many young students in rural villages do not get the opportunity to practice or compete in sports activities.  For this reason, he thought to hold a volleyball coaching class for rural students.  He coached volleyball to 10 rural students.  The students enjoyed this unique opportunity, and continue to practice volleyball. 

Project: Navachaitanya

Anuradha Bandari (Govt First Grade College, Sirsi)

Anuradha taught children in Bommanalli about healthy, extracurricular practices such as yoga, singing, drawing, and more.  20 children learned, and therefore benefitted, from Anuradha's teachings.  The children continue to practice these healthy activities. 

Project: Vikasa

Gulshanbanu (Govt First Grade College, Sirsi)

Gulshanbanu conducted tuition to primary school children of Hallalla . 30 children benefitted from this project.  Gulshanbanu is very committed and is still continuing this project to further help the students. 

Sweet Corn and Black Pepper

Sandesh Bhat (MES College of Commerce)

Sandesh encouraged a family in the village of Baroor to incorporate growing sweet corn and black pepper into their agriculture.  By incorporating mixed crops into their farming, this family learned the importance and benefits of growing multiple crop types.  This family was able to develop and sustain an additional form of income to help lessen financial burdens.

A special "congrats" goes out to Sandesh for going above and beyond expections.  This project marks Sandesh's 11th project completed with LEAD.  Well done, Sandesh!

Project: Janapada Habba

Hrsha Hegde (MES College of Commerce, Sirsi)

Hrsha organized an event, Janapada Habba, in his village, Janata Vidyalaya Kulve-Baroor.  The objective of the event was to encourage the expression of folk culture and to give rural women the opportunity to explore their talents.  The event was comprised of the singing of folk songs, a traditional food competition, and more.  Over 100 people, including MES College Principal Mr. R. G. Hegde, participated in the event and showed great appreciation for the LEADers. 

Project: Vermicompost

Narendra (Govt First Grade College, Sirsi)

Narendra dedicated his project to encouraging the farmers of his village to implement the vermicompost procedures on their farms.  Vermicompost, which is the process of composting using various worms, helps farmers produce good crop yields. Now, after seeing the benefits of vermicompost procedures, many farmers in Narendra's village have incorporated vermicompost culture in their agricultural practices.  

Project: Electron-Para Measure

Vishwas Hegde (R.N.Shetty Polytechnic College, Sirsi)

Vishwas focused his project on electron-para meausre.  He devised a machine that records usage of electrical quantity and power usage.  The machine also displays monthly power consumption.  All students that make use of the electrical lab of his college can benefit from Vishwas' project.  

Project: Plastic-Free Village

Shantaram Rao (MES College of Commerce)

In Shantaram’s village of Halageri, near Sirsi, the villagers were disposing of plastics wherever they wanted.  Shantaram wanted to change this and clean up his village.  He gathered the youth of the village and encouraged them to pick up garbage.  Additionally, he placed dustbins in the village to ensure the proper disposal of garbage in the future.  Now, the 300 residents of Halageri are enjoying a cleaner village. 

Project: Self-Employment

Chetana Bhat (MES College of Commerce)

Chetana helped women by teaching them how to do handicrafts and embroidery.  She further helped these women by encouraging them to participate in self-help groups. The training that Chetana provided helped these 10 women create self-employment, thus also benefitting their families in the process.