My Story: Naveen Kumar HP

Naveen Kumar HP (BVBCET Hubli)

“Technology should be utilized to better society, not to harm the environment.”

Failures are stepping stones to success. I tried hard to improve the attitude of myself and those I am surrounded by towards education by teaching my friends at home at Koppal. I succeed partially, and that was my first step in my leadership. Then, I realized the mindset that “work builds, charity destroys”, a philosophy adopted by Baba Amte, which mentioned in his biography. He said that 3 "D"’s are necessary for success: Dedication, Determination, and Devotion. This resonated with me and drove me to adopt this philosophy in my life.

           
I heard about LEAD from my friends in my 1st year BE.  I already had an idea to better society, but I needed a platform to implement it. When I started my "project" I didn't know what that it meant exactly. I asked Geeta Hegde, who explained everything about LEAD projects, and encouraged me a great deal to start up what would later be called the “Ground water recharge system.” My idea was inspired by the Ramon Magsaysay award winner Rajendra Singh, a well known water conservationist from Rajasthan who is commonly known as the "water man of India." His organization has been recognized for its success in revitalizing rivers, renewing groundwater supplies, and granting access to clean water to people who formerly had no access by making check Dams.

All civilizations have flourished on river beds, and water resource is of utmost importance for all living beings. If we don’t conserve the available resources such as rain water, lakes and ponds properly, the water will flow and mix with pollutants and turns to unusable and non- recyclable waste water. To reduce this, we have taken up a project of proper utilization of rain water for the welfare of the society. This is a small effort from our team towards a larger goal.

For this project we sought technical assistance from Sikandar Meeranayak, CEO and founder of SRDS (Sankalpa Rural Development Society). We planned a rain water harvesting and ground water recharge method, and conducted a bore-well water recharge in the Hallikeri village near Annigeri Dharwad. Our project has helped provide water for 12 acres of land and intern increases the crop yielding slowly. We built a 2,00,000 litre capacity reservoir to collect rain water coming from various regions of their field, and a filter system around the bore well to filter rain water into Mr.Ashoka Madalli's farm. The filtered water goes into the casing pipe of the bore well through slits which, in turn, increases the ground water level of that region.

To build this system, we first raised Rs 27,525 and invested Rs 26,782. Next, our team worked in the field with labourers, day and night, relying on a great deal of man power, agricultural machinery, and the like. We also created an awareness program for 30 farmers in Hallikeri and other villages about the conservation of ground water. Many other farmers have approached us because they are also interested in what we are doing and what the project means for them. For this project, I was awarded Best LEader award in Yuva Summit-2014.

And one funny thing i would like to share with you is that while everyone was crazed about bikes in college, I sold my old bike in exchange for a bicycle, due to the large pollutants my bike was producing.

In my second project, I surveyed more than 30 villages surrounding Hubli-Dharwad, and documented their water levels for SRDS.

        
Through LEAD, I also learned to be an entrepreneur in my college. Our team designed an oxygen and nitrogen cylinder carrier, with investment of Rs.4000, and sold it to KIMS Hubli at a price of Rs.7000 at the PUPA event, which was held by our college under CTE (Centre for technical entrepreneur) and conducted many events in my college.

       
LEAD inspired me to improve myself. I learned to handle crowds, manage my stress, perform multiple tasks and improved my communication skills.

Hubli LEADer Implements Groundwater Recharge Plant to Save Water

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 Hubli.  He conducted a survey of groundwater levels in Hubli and the surrounding areas.  Naveen presented his results to the SRDS, who then supported him in implementing a groundwater recharge plant in Hallikeri. 

"Best Out of Waste" Competition Instills Creative and Environmental Consciousness In 40 Children

In today's society, accumulating waste has become a serious environmental threat.  One way to solve this problem is to find new uses for old waste.  This approach, however, requires creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.  BVBCET LEADer Medha Hege took advantage of her LEAD platform to instill this creative, and necessary, mindset within young children.  She visited Seva Student Home for Boys and conducted a competition among the children for creating "best out of waste", eco-friendly models.  40 boys participated in the competition.

LEADer Arranges for Hospital Notice Boards Throughout Sirsi

BVBCET LEADer Akshay felt that the people of Sirsi should have more knowledge about the medical options available to them.  He arranged for the placement of a notice boards in different public places throughout Sirsi displaying all Sirsi hospitals and their information.  Now, the people of Sirsi have a clear directory of where to go to seek medical help.

Project: Groundwater Recharge

Naveen (BVBCET)

Naveen became seriously concerned that the villagers in Hallikeri would face a water problem during the summer.  As an engineering student, he thought to use his technical knowledge to help society and conduct a borewell water recharge in the village.  His strong determination inspired him to raise Rs. 27,000 /- from his fellow students, the villagers, and SRDS to help fund this project.  Naveen's project helped provide water throughout 12 acres of land.

Project: MCR Slippers for Leprosy Patients

Girish S Karikatti (BVBCET)

Girish wanted to help leprosy patients by improving their lives and changing public opinion about them in society.  After raising funds from local resource persons, Girish donated MCR slippers for five leprosy patients at a hospital in Anand Nagar, Hubli to help reduce ulcer formations in their feet.  He also educated the patients' families on proper use for the slippers. Girish then educated the public about leprosy, and disproved the notion that leprosy is a "curse" by explaining about the different cures for leprosy. 

Project: Educating Students

Madhuri Hebsur (JG College, Hubli)

Madhuri thought to provide some high school students with some college experiences.  She brought 42 10th standard students to the BVBCET campus to give them understand about technology and event planning.  Madhuri also facilitated interactions between the high school students and some BVBCET event organizers.  The visit to BVBCET exposed the students to college life and also gave them insight into planning major campus events, such as college festivals.  This exposure visit was not only fun and exciting for the high school students, but it also taught them the importance of planning, organization, and time management.  

Project: LEAD Carnival

Pawan and a group of students organized LEAD Carnival to promote leadership activities in LEAD,  Hubli, Chitradurga, and Chikkodi, as well as to showcase unseen talent.  The carnival, which took place over the course of a 6-day period, combined singing, dancing, and fashion show events, and showcased the talents of over 550 dancers, 200 singers, and 100 fashion show contestants.  The initial competitions were held throughout the cities of Chitradurga and Chikoddi, and the final rounds of the competitions were held in Hubli.

A great deal of planning and coordinating was required to convert LEAD Carnival from a dream to a reality.  Pawan's team spent 5 months organizing the event.  To host such a big event, sponsors were needed.  Pawan and his team acquired about Rs. 42,000 in sponsorships from companies and organizations such as Swarna CONSTRUCTIONS, R M DEVELOPERS, VAM SOLUTIONS, and KLEIT College.  In addition, auditions were conducted, judges were selected, and special guests were invited.  Finally, the event was marketed and promoted, and tickets were sold.  These different preparations were carried out by a team of 80 members.  What's more, Pawan and his team members were able to plan and execute LEAD Carnival while simultaneously balancing their full-time, demanding college schedules.

LEAD Carnival raised 1.2 lakh and benefitted over 1,000 students.  Furthermore, Pawan and his team collected and distributed Rs. 10,000 of materials for Sneha Sadan, and old age home, and Rs. 5,000 worth of school supplied to 30 orphaned children. Also as a result of LEAD Carnival, the LEAD Niwan Club, an event planning club at BVBCET that is endorsed by the LEAD Program, developed more presence and popularity.  Lastly, LEAD Carnival was beneficial in that it provided people with a platform for artistic performance. Among all of the positive feedback that was given, many were impressed by Pawan's ability to host such well-executed events in smaller cities.  Many people also became inspired by LEAD Carnival; one boy told Pawan that LEAD Carnival motivated him to further his career in singing.

Project: Tap Water

LEADer: Disha Bhat

Disha Bhat from BVBCET found that people are wasting lot of water in Annageri  village. She came up with an idea that by using simple sensor technology it would reduce the wastage of water. She and her team went to Annigeri village and implemented this module for ten families.  She explained to the villagers how science is used in our daily life.

Project: Plastic Mat

LEADer: Harish Pawar

Usually a person throws waste plastic once they use it, yet plastic plays a major role in environmental pollution. LEADer Harish from BVBCET, Hubli, came with an idea to solve this problem by going village to village and teaching them how to prepare plastic mats in order to recycle plastic. He convinced 20 families to reuse instead of throwing the plastic out.  He implemented in his project in Annigeri village.

Project: Diabetes Check Up and Awareness

LEADer: Sujay and Chidanand 

Location: BVBCET, Hubli 

This team took initiative to run a diabetes checkup and awareness camp. On 20^th November they conducted a camp in association with LEAD and Asha Heart and Diabetes Foundation Suttor Medical Care in RHK Hall at the BVB campus. More than 700 people got benefit out of this camp.  

Project: A Day for Juvenile Home Kids

Winner of Best Individual Initiative and Action Award – Dharwad Region 2012

LEADers Megha Jain and Shruti Harihar from BVBCET, Hubli came up with the idea to do something meaningful for juvenile home kids situated close to their hostel in Unkal colony in Hubli. They started collecting used and unused papers from their friends and offices. Within two weeks they collected 120 kg of papers. All the waste papers were sold to a paper industry and in return they got 150 new notebooks and Rs. 850 in cash. They also collected Rs. 1000 cash from local people. Later instead of giving these books directly to kids they conducted an exposure visit to BVB Engineering College for 22 kids to make them understand practically about the college study atmosphere and working. It was the occasion of Childrens’ Day when they organized this project. Both organized some competitions for the kids and distributed prizes to the winning team of each game. These prizes were purchased from the cash they have collected from friends, people and after selling papers.

This effort was to make these underprivileged kids’ lives happy at least for a day. The remaining books were given to 80 more children living in slum areas of Hubli.

Project: Water Facilty to School in Kundagol

Education is the most important part of everybody’s life; it helps to lead a dignified life. Neetha Hiremathm a student of BCBCET, Hubli, came across a school in a village called Kundagol close to Hubli, which was facing drinking water problems. Student had to drink water by asking the nearby houses. Leaders knew that for these school the afternoon's food is supplied by the government and drinking water is very important. Looking at all this Neetha decided to take up this as her LEAD project so that all those students could be helped.

She visited the school in Kundagol to know the actual situation and got to know that the problem came from the storing of the water. Teachers told them that they get drinking water from their respective homes. They expressed their idea to the school principal and got permission to make arrangements for water supply. After a week-long process the real work started on 18 Jan and ended on 22 Jan, 2012. She, with the help of her team members, made all the necessary arrangements before bringing the tank. Leaders arranged money to purchase the tank and utilized a part of money supported by LEAD to purchase syntax.  

The main challenge for them was to raise the fund for purchasing the syntax tank and  another was to carry the huge water tank from Hubli to Kundagol village.

The most memorable experience for the Neetha was the feeling of satisfaction that now children can drink safe water without any problems.

Neetha said that, “Through this project we learnt leadership skills and how to lead a team, how to resolve differences in a team. Finding out their problem and solving the same, it has been the greatest achievement. The outcome was that more than 100 children got benefited.”

Project: Shedding Light

Name of the project: Parking shed in BVB campus

Date: 25/3/2011- 30 /6/2011

Team Leader: Sonika B. Mohite

Team Members: Jugal V. Hiran, Sumathi Kulkarn, Anil G. Kakhand, Pragati Shanbagh, Rajlaxm, Chinmayee L. M., Rajveer Rane, Akshay Benni

College: BVBCET

Place of project implementation: BVB college campus
  


The first thing Sonika noticed when she joined the College was that there was no proper protection for the vehicles from rain and sunshine in the campus. This caused the petrol to evaporate and damage the vehicles.  Sonika thought she and her team  had to take the initiative and so decided to build a prototype for the protection of the bikes.

The biggest problem the team faced was gathering the funds.  Basically, the team did fundraising on the college premises. People turned out in huge numbers, including professors. They raised enough money to build a prototype. The college authorities were supportive enough to lend them a few workers to build the structure. The Mechanical Department and Mr. Sanjeev helped the team a lot in understanding the type of raw materials that would be durable and useful. 


Initially the college was not ready to give the team permission for the project. The team decided that they would do it themselves if the school didn't help. Eventually, the college gave in to their demands. The funds the team required were huge, but everyone lended openheartedly because BVB-ians wanted a parking shed. Teachers helped the team with the technical details of the shed.

Sonika didn’t expect people to be so co-operative. She was amazed to see how much people wanted to do good things, if only given an opportunity. The pleasure one gets when they do something for someone else can't be matched. "Thanks to LEAD," said Sonika, "I know I am gonna have more of that good feeling coming my way."

Foremost, Sonika learned how to manage people in a group. She learnt how to let everybody shine and use their specific talents.  She realised that you have  to know your capability and resources at hand before taking up any work. The most important lesson, however, was never to give up.

Sonika said that there were some things she could improve on. "I think we could have planned out better and then we wouldn't have the clash of the project with exam dates." Yet, Sonika feels the project was a great accomplishment. She said, "my friends thanked me as their bikes now had a shelter and we did see a bit of people coming early so they could park their vehicles in the shade. That made me feel real proud,and it got me thinking if only I could provide that shed better to the whole college." She plans to extend the project. "I would love to take up the same project again," she said, "and cover the whole BVB campus. I am also open to new projects. All I look forward to, in this endeavour, is to do something for others and  better myself as a person."

Project: Stationery for Everyone!

Leader: Prashant Iligar 

Team: Pradeep, Akshay, Veena, Gouri S, Ashwini M

Date of implementation : April- June 2011

Place: Vijaynagara School

College: BVB CET Hubli

Students who have no amenities like others are capable of outshining the ones who have the supplies. When Prashat Iligar found out that students of Vijaynagara School lacked basics, such as writing materials, pens and books, he felt that it was his duty to help them. 

Sixty students are given free education in the school. These children are from poor families, but have a zeal to learn. The team planned to collected stationery, such as notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, scales, and even money. BVBCET, IMSR, CBA, PCJabins are the colleges that contributed to the cause.

The second phase of the collection took place in June, when the school reopened. The response to the second phase of collection was positive. Eighty percent of the work was completed earlier, while the rest took place in June. The school authorities were excited about the endeavour.

Project: Canteen Mural

Leader: Abhinash 

Team: Pooja B, Pratyush P,Abhilash, and Priyanka

Date: January to November 2010 

College: BVB CET 

Place: BVB CET

Abhinash believes that everyone has an abundance of talent. He and his team decided to help students showcase their talent though a graffiti wall. He secured permission from the college authorities to cover a space on the canteen wall. Every time somebody does some creative work they have to wait a year for the annual magazine to publish it. This wall would be an outlet to showcase work by budding artists and writers. 

The canteen is the most ideal place to create the wall because most students use the canteen. What better motivation is there than having thousands of students and faculty see and appreciate the work? During the months when the wall was active, they received at least 3 artworks a day. This was also a platform to shortlist the work that could be shown in the magazine. 

The wall was built like a notice board, where work was displayed. The artwork was later returned to the creators. The procedure was simple: the creators would contact Abhinash who would then post it on the wall. Because of his busy schedule the wall has been a little less active.

Project: Paper Recycling

Team Leader: Akshay.C.Nigadi

Team Members: Shreya.R  Saroja.B Shashank. Anup  Prateek.N

Implementation: DCSE, Hubli

Date: December 2010

College: BVBCET

Akshay and his team had a big task ahead of them. As of 30 December 2010, he had set out to complete 700 notepads that would be used in the Development Dialogue at DCSE on 27th January 2011. As a part of the project Akshay and his team collected unused examination papers from BVB CET. Akshay said that the project was challenging and he felt full of doubts about its completion at the time.

After procuring papers from his department, the task was cut out. The result of which would be a whopping 700 notepads from waste paper with the name of their project ‘Retro Recyclers’. Although the initial idea was to make a mere 100 notepads, Akshay decided to push the boundaries and make 700. He says that the key essence to the success of such a project is time management. Collection of newspapers is quick although the trimming and binding of the books take time.

Akshay says a leader learns out of experience and he could not have asked for a better opportunity to test his entrepreneurial skills. He is fully satisfied with the project. When people who had used the notepad were asked, they said: “the books are an innovative idea. Generally one side of the paper goes unused and by using waste paper, Akshay and team have made a point of preserving paper and thinking differently." The beneficiary DCSE congratulated him on his on this achievement.

Related articles

• Recreating History (dcselead.blogspot.com)
• Summer LEADership Programme 2011 (dcselead.blogspot.com)
• Candle march to promote gender equality on International Women's Day (dcselead.blogspot.com)
• Speaking English No More A Dream (dcselead.blogspot.com)
• Fund Raising Campaign (dcselead.blogspot.com)

Project: Plantation of trees

LEADer: Shohan Shetty

Project Implementation place: Forest colony

Project period: 10/4/2009 to 10/5/2009

Project Description: "Trees are the most valuable resources on earth. These are the lungs of our environment, but unfortunately people have failed to understand this. Trees are been cut for peoples' selfish reasons and for the development of the society. Development of society is necessary but on the other hand we also have to understand that for a society to have a better future, a better place to live, a better place to breathe, there must be sufficient amount of greenery around us. Our project was a small step towards this green goal and we have achieved it by doing plantation in the forest colony. The surroundings of the forest colony is fast developing and this place is visited by a large number of people. Our team decided to do the plantation in forest colony and we have successfully completed our project."