January 19th, 2014 marked the Deshpande Foundation’s fourth annual Yuva Summit, where thousands of students and educators gathered to commemorate the LEADers on their projects and their accomplishments.  With the theme "Catalyzing Change", Yuva Summit 2014 featured a variety of events to show just how LEAD is changing communities by catalyzing leadership development within the youth of India.

Innovative Projects Showcasing

The 19th began with the customary projects showcasing and opening ceremony.  Both were conducted in the presence of Mr. R.V. Deshpande (Minister for Higher Education and Tourism, Government of Karnataka), Dr. Gururaj Deshpande (Chairman, Sparta Group LLC), Mrs. Jaishree Deshpande (Co-founder and Trustee, Deshpande Foundation), Prof. S. S. Murthy (Vice Chancellor, Central University of Karnataka) and Mr. Naveen Jha (CEO, Deshpande Foundation). During the opening ceremony, the Best Supporting Faculty awards were presented to Mr. Harshith Kulkarni (GIT, Belgaum), Mr. Sunil Honnugar (SDMCET, Dharwad), and Mr. Shreedhar (SJMCIT, Chitradurga) for their extraordinary support in promoting leadership and innovation among students on their college campuses.

Mr. Harshith Kulkarni of GIT, Belgaum

Mr. Sunil Honnugar of SDMCET, Dharwad

Mr. Shreedhar of SJMCIT, Chitradurga

 This year's added panel sessions enhanced meaning and engagement among the audience.

During the LEAD Roundtable Talk, Mr. R V Deshpande (Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka), Prof. S S Murthy (Vice Chancellor, Central University of Karnataka), Prof. B B Kaliwal (Vice Chancellor, Davangere University), Dr. Ashok Shettar (Principal, BVBCET), Dr. Chandrama Kanagali (Registrar, Karnataka University), Dr. Gururaj Deshpande, and Mr. Naveen Jha (CEO, Deshpande Foundation) were key participants.   R V Deshpande stressed the need for universities to maintain data of the present situations of their alumni (i.e. if they are employed, unemployed, or self-employed) so that universities can adjust their method to cater to the needs of the employment market.  S S Murthy expressed the need for institutes to promote more innovation and project activities among students.  Chandrama Kanagali asserted that institutes should become more student centric.

The LEAD Alumni Conference gave LEAD alumni the opportunity to connect with current LEAD students and reconnect with each other.  LEAD alumni spoke about their LEAD journeys, how LEAD helped them in their careers and personal development and answered questions from the audience.  The session was conducted in the presence of Mr. Phanindra Sama (Co-founder and CEO, redbus.in).  Speakers for the LEAD Alumni Conference included Mr. Anup Vijapur (Technology Head, nanoPix), Mr. Vijay Matti (Co-founder, Campus Connect), Mr. Shailabh Rauniyar (Scientist, Biocon Research Limited) and Ms. Deepika Ghasghase (MBA student). 

Mr. Anup Vijapur addressing the audience during LEAD Talk

Yuva Summit is widely known as an event featuring reputable personalities.  While many people know about LEAD projects, few know the stories about the LEADers behind them.  This year, for the first time ever, past and current LEAD students were given the stage to share their views on leadership, entrepreneurship and current needs in society in LEAD Talk.  Speakers included Mr. Anup Vijapur (Technology Head, nanoPix), Mr. Shailabh Rauniyar (Scientist, Biocon Research Limited), Mr. Vijay Matti (Co-founder, Campus Connect), Mr. Sai Prakash (Student, KLEIT, Hubli), Ms. Anuradha Bandari (Student, Government First Grade College, Sirsi), Mr. Santosh Kaveri (Student, Samiti BBA College, Belgaum) and Ms. Alisha Shiledar (Student, KLECET, Belgaum). The speakers told inspiring stories about their LEAD projects and the major lessons they have learned which have transformed the way they look at the world and themselves.

With the Faculty Panel Session, faculties shared their insight on the topic, “Transformations in higher education”.  Panelists included Mr. Satish M Hegde (Associate Professor, MES College of Commerce, Sirsi), Dr. G.N. Mallikarjunappa (Academic Administrator, SJM, Chitradurga), Mr. Ashok Kalbag (Secretary, Indo-US Collaboration for Engineering Education), Prof. Seshachala Havaldar (Faculty, SK College, Talikoti), and Mr. Harshith Kulkarni (Faculty, GIT College, Belgaum). The session was moderated by Mr. Sasi Sekar (CEO, nanoPix). 

The evening of the 19th concluded with the LEAD award ceremony.  Keynote speakers of the ceremony included Dr. T.V. Mohandas Pai (Chairman, Manipal Global Education), Dr. Gururaj Deshpande (Chairman, Sparta Group LLC), Mr. Phanindra Sama (Founder and CEO, redbus.in), and Mr. Raju Reddy (Executive Vice President for Global Services, Hitachi Consulting), and Mr. Basavraj Horatti (MLC and Previous Education Minister, Government of Karnataka)   The keynote speakers shared views on the future of youth, development, and entrepreneurship within Hubli and India at large.  Furthermore, they presented awards to the winners of the "Best LEADer" and "Best Supporting College" awards.  The awards recipients are as follows:

Best LEADers

Santosh Kaveri (Samiti BBA College, Belgaum)

Despite his non-science background as a second-year business student, Santosh has successfully innovated several low-cost technologies, which are helping hundreds of farmers, students, and more.  The innovative, impactful, and entrepreneurial nature of his own invention, the Carrot Cleaning Machine, helped him win the “Best LEADer” award at Yuva Summit 2013, which was presented to him by Mr. Ratan Tata. This year, he again received the “Best LEADer” award for his innovation and promotion of the brake system for bullock cart.

Many farmers around the country rely on bullock carts to transport large quantities of goods over long distances.  However, many problems have been caused by the fact that most of these farmers are using bullock carts without a proper braking system.  Instead, the bullock carts are usually stopped manually, which is putting strain on the laborers, the oxen and the bullock cart.  Santosh innovated a bullock cart brake system that is simple, effective, and affordable. Farmers using this brake system for their bullock carts are receiving many benefits.  Bullock cart accidents are being reduced, and farmers can now carry more weight on their carts.  In addition, less manual labor is required to manage the cart.  Moreover, no pollution is being created from the cart as the brake system requires no fuel source.

  

Aarya Vishwanath Hallikeri (KLEIT, Hubli)

The Old Bus Stand in Hubli was in a horrible condition.  The walls were stained with red from people spitting on them and alcoholic bottles littered the ground.  There was clearly no respect for public space. Local officials, including the police, were doing nothing.  LEADer Aarya Hallikeri decided to do something about it.  He made a team of 12 students and LEADers and together, and they worked throughout the day to clean up the entire bus stand. They painted the walls, picked up trash, and declared the area as a plastic free zone.  Their goal was to make the Bus Stand area as hygienic as possible. The impact of Aarya’s project was big-LEADers in Davangere, Chikodi, Dharwad, and Laxmeshwar have implemented the same initiative in their locations.   On August 15th, Independence Day, Aarya and his team received appreciation certificates from the Managing Director of NWKSRTC. 



Anirudh Ravi (GIT, Belgaum)

LEADer Anirudh Ravi is the inventor of the Trash-A-Nator, a device that can burn up to 200 liters of dry waste in a short period of time. The Trash-A-Nator may be a big name, but this machine was constructed with simplicity in mind.  Dry waste is placed into the barrel.  A matchstick is used to set the waste on fire.  The lid is closed and the blower is turned on.  While the waste is burning inside the barrel, a blower pumps oxygen into the barrel to continue feeding the flames.  In addition, the oxygen that is fed into the barrel helps convert the toxic carbon monoxide byproduct of the burning into carbon dioxide, which is healthier for our lungs and for the environment.  A mesh is attached to the top of the barrel to prevent heavier particles, such as soot, from flying into the air.  90% of the waste will be completely burnt, and the remaining 10% will be converted into ash.  

Naveen HP (BVBCET, Hubli)

With growing urbanization, the demand for drinking water in cities is soaring.  Rainfall is not always enough to replenish these underground freshwater resources.  As a result, urban cities are now facing the risk of water stress.  LEADer Naveen HP from BVBCET wanted to protect this from happening in local communities.  He conducted a survey of groundwater levels in Hubli and the surrounding areas.  His strong determination inspired him to raise Rs. 27,000 from his fellow students, the villagers, and SRDS to help fund this project.

Sangamesh Parit (NV Degree College, Gulbarga)

Sangmesh identified a lack of proper drainage in a slum area of Gulbarga.  In this particular area there was no open drainage system.  He approached the MLA, made them aware of the problem, and demanded that they help implement a solution.  The government has allotted Rs. 5 lakh for the construction of an open drainage system. 

 

Jyoti Naik (AA Patil Women’s College, Chikodi)

Jyoti identified a handful of people near Chikodi without homes.  Desperately wanting to help them improve their living conditions, Jyoti approached the government and demanded that they help these few people.  The government agreed to fund the construction of seven homes for these needy people.  Five of these homes have since been allotted.

Jyoti Naik

Best Supporting Colleges

This award was given to GIT, Belgaum; KLECET, Belgaum and SDMCET, Dharwad for giving full support for the LEAD program, both on and off campus, and

maintaining high participation in all LEAD related activities.