LEAD Shravana 2K13 Raises Rs. 15,000 for Deaf Children in Davangere

On October 5th and 6th, 2013, in honor of World Deaf Day, Davangere LEADers of the BIET LEAD Cell executed LEAD Shravana, a major event consisting held to raise awareness and funds for deaf children throughout Davangere.

35 LEADers worked hard day and night to make this event a huge success.  The event attracted over 160 students from partnering colleges of Davangere and consisted of 17 competitions that aimed to bring out and showcase participants' talents.  The competitions were as follows:

Quiz Competition

Essay Writing in English

Debate in English

Essay Writing in Kannada
Cooking Without Fire

TShirt Painting

Debate in Kannada

Solo Singing

Drawing Competition

Group Dance

Rangoli
Slow Cycle Race

Speed Walk Race
Chess

Cricket

Treasure Hunt

Solo Dance

In addition to the competitions, the event also included a story of the BIET LEAD Cell journey, prize distributions, and guest speeches.  The Valedictory function was held in the presence of Prof. Y Vrushabendrappa (Director), Dr. Mallikarjun (Professor of ENT, JJM College), H B Manjunath (Renowned Cartoonist), and Dr. N S Basavaraj (LEAD Faculty Coordinator).

According to Chandan, a BIET LEADer and one of the primary event organizers, a grand total of Rs. 15,000 was successfully raised for the event to benefit deaf children throughout Davangere.

News of the event was published in Udayavani and Janathavani newspapers and reached thousands of readers throughout the city.

BIET LEAders Teach English to 25 Orphans

LEADers Nazma and Meghana of BIET are fluent English speakers, and they decided to use their strong English skills to help others.  Nazma and Meghana worked together to teach English, along with moral values, to the orphans of Omkara Huch Naga Lingappa Anathalaya.  They framed a syllabus and taught 25 children how to write their names in English, Kannada, and Hindi.  Nazma and Meghana also taught the children how to properly introduce themselves in English, as well as the English names for different fruits and vegetables.  The LEADers ended their session by teaching the children about the importance of peace, honesty, and friendship.  

Davangere LEADer Teaches 60 Children About Road Safety

BIET LEADer, Santosh, used to hear many stories about school children getting into serious accidents.  To help protect school children against accidents in the future, he conducted an awareness program for the 60 children of Premalaya Orphanage in Davangere. He taught the children about road signs and encouraged the children to teach their friends everything they had learned about traffic safety.

Santosh says that his LEAD project was a memorable experience.  The warden of the orphanage appreciated Santosh for his initiative.  Santosh looks forward to using LEAD as a platform to implementing his future ideas.

Davangere LEADers Unite to Create Environmental Awareness

"Arise! Awake! Stop not until environmental consciousness reaches its top!"  On September 1st, 2013, Davangere LEADers from DRM, BIET, UBDT, and Nutun Colleges, as well as the District Commissioner of Davangere, Sri Subhas Shivappa Pattanashetty, gathered in SS Badavani to create environmental awareness.

A circle opposite to Bakkesara Kalyan Mantap in SS Badavani was cleaned and colorfully decorated with plants.  Sri Subhas Shivappa Pattanashetty, who was wearing a blue LEAD tshirt, planted the samplings as the crowd of LEADers looked on. 

This initiative is a grand example of what can result from collaboration, effort, and positivity.

"Trees for Life" Project Leads to a More Beautiful BIET Campus

BIET College is currently under construction, and the construction of these new buildings  has been causing a lot of deforestation on the campus. "Trees for Life", a project led by LEADer Vinayak, was an initiative aimed at planting trees in the BIET College campus. In his project, Vinayak coordinated the planting of saplings around campus to encourage growth and create an awareness about being eco-friendly. The program was inaugurated by Dr. Rama Swamy (BIET Principal), Dr. M S Holi (HOD, Bio Technology) and Sri Krishnaji (NSS Head). 

Davangere LEADer Inspires Patriotism in her College

 LEADer Usha from BIET wanted to inspire patriotism in LEAD students.  She organized a program to celebrate Deepotsava in her college.  The program, addressed by Principal Dr. Rama Swamy, began by the singing of a patriotic song and lighting a lamp.  During the program, the LEAD drew the map of India and colored it with the colors of the Indian flag.  They also incorporate the LEAD logo and tag line, "Complaints start with THEY, solutions start with I" into the design of the map.  Towards the end of the program, LEADers who have completed two projects were awarded certificates. 

Upon reflection of her project, Usha says that it was "really a mind blowing experience".  Usha also added that she was proud of the program she conducted because continuously throughout the program, she was able to show India's growth.  

Project: Remand Home

Shreekant Itager (BIET College)

A recently-joined LEAD member, Shreekant wanted to devote his first project to creating enjoyment for remand home children.  He and his friends spent one day with children of single parents and conducted fun games and activities for the children.  Prizes were awarded to winners and active participants.  Implementing this project created many happy memories for both the children and the LEADers, and Shreekant felt very proud about his initiative.

Project: Art Workshop in Summer Camp

Veeresh (BIET College)

Veeresh conducted arts and crafts classes for summer champ children to help them practice creative thinking and to give them the opportunity to showcase their hidden talents.  With his team of LEADers, Veeresh taught the children how to make different crafts such as egg men, pen stands,  name boards, paper flowers, and more.  25 children participated in Veeresh's arts and crafts classes.  Veeresh says that what he enjoyed most about the project was uplifting the spirits of the children.

 

Project: Awareness for Computer Education

Vinnit T (BIET College)

The 21st century is known as the era of technology.  Computers are essentially required for every person.  In India, though, technology has yet to reach all government schools.  Realizing this, Vinnit conducted computer training classes for Remand home school children.  These classes gave students the opportunity to explore their curiosities about computers and to learn the basic computer skills that will surely improve their chances for success in the future.  Vinnit additionally distributed 25 books to the children. 

Project: Art Classes for Remand Home Children

Rahim G Barigidad (BIET College)

Rahim wanted to provide a meaningful experience for Remand home students.  He  devised methods to turn waste materials into art, and taught the students how to make things like sock dolls, pen holders, egg men, paper crafts, and more.  Initially, the students were not enthusiastic about the lessons.  Eventually, though, they became excited about the hands-on learning opportunities.  25 students benefitted from this project.

Upon reflection of his project, Rahim said that, "I realized that the knowledge which I had will be enhanced only when I share it with others.  After completing the project, I found myself to be more confident, and now I can communicate confidently with strangers."

Project: Singing Competition

Rakesh Kulkarni (BIET College)

Rakesh is passionate about singing, and he wanted to use his passion for music to people-especially children.  He decided to conduct a singing competition for the children of the Girls Remand home.  Rakesh and his team began by identifying singing skills within the children and helping the children realize the value and importance of music.  Rakesh then selected the best songs and taught them the raga. 

Special recognition needs to be given to Rakesh for having completed two projects with LEAD and for receiving the "Best Leader" at LEAD Valedictory, Davangere.

Project: Cycle Rally in Shiva Kumar Swamy Nagar, Davangere

Shreehas S. (BIET College)

On April 28th, 2013, Shreehas conducted a cycle rally for summer camp children in Shiva Kumar Swamy Nagar to promote to environment through slogans such as "Go Green", "Ban Vehicles", "No Plastics", and "Save the Environment". 

5 LEADers and 30 non-LEADers participated in the rally.  LEADers felt proud to sport their bright blue LEAD t-shirts and the group's energy remained very high throughout the event.  After the event, Shreehas distributed ice cream to all those who participated.

Project: Guitar Amplifier

Ashwin (BIET College) 

Ashwin had the idea the unique idea of connecting a miniature amplifier to any available speaker in order to convert it into a high performance guitar amplifier.  The project was successfully completed and tested using various sizes of speakers, from head phones to home theater systems. 

Project: Cleaning of Residential Area

Rumiya D S (BIET College)

Rumiya focused her LEAD project on cleaning and improving her residential area.  She and her friends gathered the required cleaning materials and started cleaning plastic waste and removing weeds from the residential area.  Rumiya's initiative created a healthier environment for the area residents, and has even helped control the mosquito population.  The residents continue to sustain the cleanliness of the area and now dispose of domestic waste outside of the area. 

Project: Blood Donation Camp in BIET College

Vinayak Kabade (BIET College)

LEADer Vinayak, along with his team members Sachin, Sunil, and Vinod, conducted a Blood Donation Camp at BIET College on March 22nd, 2013. 

Before the camp, Vinayak and his team visited the Red Cross and the Bapuji Blood Bank in SS Hospital, Davangere.  They met with Mrs. Manjula (Coordinator of SS Hospital) to learn more about the importance of blood donation.  After that, Vinayak and his team came back to BIET to create an awareness for the value of blood and educated BIET students about the requirements and regulations for people to donate blood. 

The LEADers then drafted a plan to organize the blood donation camp.  They all met and discussed the basic requirements and formalities necessary for the completion of the camp.  After getting permission form the college Principal and the NSS Coordinator, Vinayak and his team made all the necessary arrangements to conduct the camp. 

Among those present at the event included the BIET College Principal, Dr. Rama Swamy, and Ajay Suman Shukla (LEAD Team Leader). 

138 bottles of blood were collected at the camp.  Bapuji Bank staff appreciated the LEAD students for their active participation and coordination and for making the program a great success.  Mrs. Manjula commented that the camp can be used as a "typical model" for future blood donation camps.  

From implementing this project, Vinayak learned important skills such as event planning and management.  He says that "It was a wonderful experience working in LEAD", and he is currently making efforts to encourage other LEADers to implement more projects. 

A story about the Blood Donation Camp was published in local print media. 

Women's Day at BIET College

Hanumanth (BIET College)

On March 8th, 2013, Hanumanth organized a Women's Day celebration.  The objective of the program was to highlight the meaning and importance behind why Women's Day is celebrated, as well as to honor the ways that women contribute to society.  

Several dignitaries were present at the event, including Smt Kiruvadi Girijamma (social worker), Mrs. Malati Kesari (woman engineer) and Dr. Rama Swamy (Principal).  

Hannumath says that this project gave him good exposure to the facets of event management.  He also says that he feels more confident after completing this project.  Additionally, this project inspired students to join LEAD.

LEAD would like to give a special thanks to Krishna Kumar (NSS Head) for coordinating with the students to make this event possible.  

Project: Refresh the Mind

Pooja V. Bhat (BIET)

As per the saying "Student life is golden life."  Pooja took initiative to make time memorable through the small and simple task of reading.  She conducted a survey and discovered an interest in reading among the student.  Pooja purchased some new books and received permission from the PG head to establish a LEAD library.  Pooja invited all of the PG girls to participate in the inauguration of the LEAD Library.  During the inauguration, she explained about the LEAD program. Her initiative inspired the girls to to become more involved in leadership activities and social work.  

BIET Davangere Leadership Camp 2013

LEAD Leadership Camp was held on March 31, 2013 at BIET College in Davangere.  33 students from four different colleges participated in the camp.  In addition to the student participants, respected guests included Dr. Rama Swamy (Principal, BIET College), Dr. Basavarajapp N S, Dr. Vittal Safare (Rotary President)M.G. Eshwarappa (Principal, DRM Science College), Mr. M C Patil, and more.  The presence of such dignitaries added prestige to the event. 

 The objective of the camp was to excite and stimulate the students by helping maintain optimistic and enthusiastic attitudes, hone their creativity and innovation, develop teamwork, and strengthen leadership skills.  The camp consisted of a variety of activities, from team building exercises to learning sessions.    The LEADers also played added some fun, excitement, and color to the camp by playing Holi. 

At the Leadership Camp, LEADer Shamanth of GMIT College shared his LEAD Prayana 2013 experience, saying that "It is an initiative of the Deshpande Foundation, where a platform is given to develop innovation, skills, and social missions.  Here, LEADers can realize their dreams and turn them into reality.  It offers students an opportunity to make a change in their world today.  LEAD Prayana is devised to bring young and talented minds together to unleash their leadership potential.  100 participants, 13 days, 9 destinations, and one amazing journey!"

LEADers Jyothi and Deepa of Chanukya First Grade College also shared about their Yuva Summit experiences, and explained how they experienced the truth of LEAD's motto, "Complaints start with 'They', solutions start with 'I."

The event was a huge success!  LEADers were given an opportunity to recognize their role as individuals and to understand group behavior.  High levels of energy were maintained throughout the event as LEADers became engaged, motivated, and inspired.

Project: Old Clothes Collection

Rakesh (BIET)

BIET LEAD leaders conducted a project on conducting a secondhand clothes drive.  The publicity for the event was achieved through media, pamphlet distribution, and Facebook.  The project was headed by Rakesh, and executed by 13 other LEADers.  The clothes that were collected were segregated into children's clothes, womens' clothes, and mens' clothes, and were distributed to orphanages and different homes, respectively.  Clothes have been donated to five orphanages so far, and more than 200 people have benefitted from this project.  The event was so successful that it attracted outside media attention; one story about the event was published in Nagaravani, and another story was published in Prajavani.

Rakesh would like to thank the LEAD team for their constant support and encouragement.  His project inspired 20 new students to join LEAD and develop project ideas.

Project: Talent Hunt for Government Schoolchildren

LEADer: Harsha

Harsha, a LEAD student of BIET took her project to select talented children. She decided to do a talent hunt and conduct a quiz among high schools. She went back to the school where she studied and requested the principal for permission to conduct a quiz competition. This project helped students know their level of general knowledge. Three students were selected and awarded for their active participation.