Chikodi LEADer Helps 7 Homeless People Get Homes

LEADEr Jyoti Naik of AA Patil Women's College, Chikodi, 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 received the "Best LEADer" award during Yuva Summit 2014 for the impactful nature of her project.  

Yuva Summit 2014: Catalyzing Change

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

Opening Ceremony

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.

Roundtable Talk

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.

Roundtable Talk

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). 

LEAD Alumni Conference

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.

LEAD Talk Speakers

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). 

LEAD Faculty Panel Session

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:

The Yuva Summit Award Ceremony attracted a crowd of more than 2,000 people

Award Ceremony Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers

Best LEADers

Santosh Kaveri

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 Hallikeri

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

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

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.

 Sangmesh Parit

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.

GIT, Belgaum

KLECET, Belgaum

SDMCET, Dharwad

Yuva Summit Media Coverage

Yuva Summit 2013

January 30^th, 2013 marked the Deshpande Foundation’s 3^rd annual Yuva Summit, where hundreds of students and educators gathered to commemorate the LEADers on their projects and their accomplishments.  The Yuva Summit is one of the opening events for the Deshpande Foundation’s annual Development Dialogue, an international conference that features some of India’s greatest pioneers in entrepreneurship and development

While 60 inspirational projects were showcased at the event, 5 LEADers were presented the “Best Leader” award for carrying out projects that exemplified innovation and led to significant impact.  The best LEADers were selected by Mr. Ratan Tata, Mr. Narayan Murthy, Mrs. Sudha Murthy, and Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar.  Mr. Tata presented each student with his or her award. 

Recipients of the "Best Leader" Award:

Gulshan Banu (Govt First Grade College, Sirsi)

Hutgar, a village near Sirsi, had a poor drainage system. Gulshan addressed the problem by contacting the government and demanded a solution.   Initially, the public was not supportive and even criticized her efforts.  Gulshan, however, did not give up.  Instead, she took initiative and approached every villager and Gram Panchayat member herself.   As a result of her perseverance, the local Panchayat finally agreed to fund the construction of a drainage facility for Hutgar.  Gulshan’s project, costing Rs. 1,40,000, was completed in just one month.  Over 300 villagers now make use of the drainage facility.  Gulshan’s accomplishments have also extended beyond her project and Hutgar, as her work has inspired two other students to join the LEAD program.

Prasad (Shri Kasgateshwar Degree College, Talikoti)

Prasad began his project with intention of teaching the women of Hunasagi, Bijapur , how to read and write.   After starting his project, Prasad soon realized that he could help these women even more beyond literacy.  Prasad conducted 20 training sessions and taught the women about how to access banking facilities and  apply for loans.  He additionally provided the women with self-employment training.  Prasad’s project made an immense impact; 34 women were able to get loans from banks to start their own sustainable businesses in areas such as animal husbandry, tailoring, and handicraft.  

Santosh Kaveri (Samiti BBA College, Belgaum)

In the village of Shedbalin, Belgaum, farmers used any extra money they had to pay laborers to help them peel and clean the carrots that they harvested.  After six months of designing, Santosh invented a machine to help with this process.  With the machine, carrot preparation only requires the help of one or two people and requires a limited use of electricity and no water.  Moreover, Santosh’s machine allows 100 kg of carrots to be harvested, cleaned, and peeled in only 15 minutes.  Eight farmers now use this machine and have spared the costs of employing six laborers.   

Anuradha Bandari (Govt First Grade College, Sirsi)

There was a water problem in Anuradha’s village of Bommanalli, near Sirsi.  Anuradha assembled her villagers and encouraged them to take initiative themselves.  She helped the villagers, as well as members of the Gram Panchayat, approach the government and demand water tanks.  Within a month, the government sanctioned Rs. 2 lakh for the construction of four water tanks.  The government even agreed to fund the construction of streetlights for the entire Birumbe village.  Through the completion of her project, Anuradha not only inspired her local community, but she also inspired her peers; four other students at her college were motivated by Anuradha’s hard work and started taking initiatives and solving problems in their own respective communities.

Shreedevi R. Paschapur (BLDE BBA College, Jamkhandi)

The village of Sidhapur, in Jamkhandi, possessed no proper bus facilities.  Because of this, school buses did not stop at the village, and students would be forced to walk 9 to 10 kms per day.  Many students were missing their first two classes, and some students were not attending their classes at all.  Shreedevi brought this issue to the attention of her college principal and the local authorities.  One month later, permission was granted to allocate a bus stop in Sidhapur.  250 students now regularly attend their classes.

Best Performing College: Gogte Institute of Technology, Belgaum: 

Special recognition should be given to GIT and its commitment to the LEAD program.  GIT has given full support for the LEAD program, both on an off campus, and has maintained high participation in all LEAD related activities. LEAD has been allotted a designated area on campus and has been placed on GIT’s “Prestigious Partners” list. A strong senior and junior faculty has been created specifically for the LEAD program.  GIT has spent 50000 Rs in cash to support the LEADers participating in LEAD Prayana has sponsored 10000 Rs worth in merchandise.   Most recently, GIT sent some of its architecture students to help decorate the Deshpande Foundation for the Yuva Summit, even though the architecture students are not part of the LEAD Program. 

Yuva Summit 2012 Awarded Leaders

Nagmani from Kittel Science College, Dharwad

Nagmani receives award from Mr. Narayana Murthy

Kiran Vidhyasagar 

When Nagmani saw a few children begging out in the street, she couldn’t stop herself from talking to them. She went to their house and enquired with their parents on why they don’t send them to school. Seeing their financial condition she decided to teach them, for four months she taught them and then she was able to convince their parents on the importance of education. Out of 30 now 25 children who were begging earlier are now going to school.

Umesh Mayannvar from B.K. College, Chikodi

Clean the canal

Dr. Eddy Campbell awards Umesh

The canal which supplied water to a 100+ acre land near Hirekudi, Chikodi was blocked due to the ignorance of the people, thus the young LEAder took initiative to discuss this problem with the gram Panchyat people as well farmers and convinced them to get it cleaned. He also spoke to a JCB owner to help him out. Within a week the entire village got to work and the problem was solved. Because of this initiative 1000’s of people are benefitting, the canal now brings water to 100+ farmersh.  “Where there is a will there is a way”

Mrs. Kimberly awards Vijay

Vijay Mane from Gogte Commere College, Belaum

Construction of Water Tank 

Vijay from Gogte College of commerce identified that people near laxmi temple in Manewadi- Ingali village faced the scarcity of drinking water. He identified that this problem needs to be solved. He took initiative and Spoke with the Panchyat and the Villagers and raised Rs 21000/- in cash and constructed the water tank which was inaugurated by the village people. And which is now benefitting more than 1000 people.

Vinay receives award from Mrs. Jayshree Deshpande

Vinay Patil from Jain College of Engineering, Belgaum

LED lamps out of waste Bottles 

Vinay decided to use his technical skills in solving the problem faced by the underprivileged kids near navge and santibastwad in Belgaum. His observation in seeing the frequent Power cuts in Belgaum made him design 50 low cost effective table lamps which have now illuminated the minds of the young school going children. The LED rechargeable lamps cost Rs 23 each.

Kunal Sambranekar from Angadi Institute of Technology and Management, Belgaum

Water Purification 

The water we drink every day, is it fit for drinking? This young LEADer from Belgaum took initiative of testing water for its purity. He conducted the test in 23 villages across Belgaum district. Out of the samples tested, 90% of it failed to achieve the desired result. The contained harmful bacteria which caused disease like cholera and diarrhea. The press media has covered this issue and the local Government bodies, Panchyat are working on getting clean n drinkable water to the people in these 23 villages. This project is set to benefit 2, 00,000 people in the 23 villages.

Shruti Hegde from MES Commerce College, Sirsi

Save Beggars 

Shruti receives award from Mr. Deshpande

When Shruti saw a beggar women distressed, she went to her and had a conversation. It didn’t stop with the conversation. She found that her husband was disabled and she had to beg for a living and that they lived on the street. Shruti now was determined to solve her problem, there were challenges which she had to face but there was no reason for her to step back. She went to the Tashildar’s and discussed about this problem, she found that there was some scheme by the government for the beggars. Under the same Shruti managed to get a house constructed worth Rs 10000/- and also managed to get her employment through which she is going to have a regular income.

Naveen Jha awards Mallikarjun

Mallikarjun from MSW Department, Davangere University, Davangere

Construction of Toilets

 Hygiene being a major concern in villages Mallikarjun identified that villagers were ignorant about using the toilets. He wanted to educate villagers on the importance of having toilets constructed. This was challenging task. Thus Mallikarjun was able to convince the youth about his idea and they set out on a mission, thousands of people including the villagers, the swamiji joined hands together for this noble cause. In a span of 3 months 698 toilets were constructed with the help of local government bodies, the taluk Panchayat and the gram Panchayat.

Viresh receives best leader award from Dr. Gururaj "Desh" Deshpande

Veeresh from Rural Engineering College, Hulkoti

Sensitization of Historical monument

Veeresh has done three projects; college parking, issue of PAN card, sensitization about historical temple at Unkal. Through his PAN card project he collected enough amounts to support eight LEAD projects of his college. Based on his performance in LEAD he has been promoted as Master Leader and coordinator of LEAD REC Cell. He is coordinating 50 students in his college and is mentoring all the projects. His Temple project has got media coverage lot of media coverage by which the historical monument has come into light. 

Yuva Summit 2012

On January 15th, 2012, hundreds of students and educators gathered at the Deshpande Foundation with NR Murthy, 'Desh' Deshpande and other distinguished guests to celebrate the accomplishments of LEADers in 2011. Mr. Murthy gave an impassioned speech about the responsibility of the youth of create a better tomorrow. After inspiration words given by Murthy and Desh, some extraordinary leaders received the 'Best LEader Award' for 2011. Below are a descriptions of the leaders and their impressive projects.

Nagmani

Kiran Vidhyalaya

When Nagmani saw children begging in the street, she couldn’t stop herself from talking to them. She went to their house and, after speaking with their parents, discovered that the children were shackled to begging because of the dire financial situation of their families.  Seeing their financial condition, Nagmani decided to teach them for four months free of cost.  After teaching for four months, she was able to convince their parents of the importance of education. Twenty-five children who were begging earlier are now going to school.

Umesh Mayannvar

Clean the Canal

A canal, which supplied water to a 100+ acre land in a village, was blocked and the villagers were unaware of how to fix it. Umesh and his team of  young LEAders took the initiative to discuss this problem with the Gram Panchyat, as well  as the farmers. Umesh convinced them to get the canal cleaned. He also spoke to a JCB owner to help him out. Within a week the entire village got to work and the problem was solved. Because of this initiative, 1000’s of people have benefited.  The canal now brings water to 100+ to the village. 

Vijay Mane

Construction of Water Tank

Vijay from Gogte College of Commerce identified that people near Laxmi Temple in Manewadi- Ingali village faced a scarcity of drinking water. He took the  initiative and spoke with the Panchyat and the villagers and raised Rs 21000/- in cash and constructed a water tank. This water tank now benefits  more than 1000 people.

Vinay Patil

LED Lamps Out of Waste Bottles

Vinay decided to use his technical skills to solve a problem faced by underprivileged kids near Navge and Santibastwad in Belgaum. His observed that the frequent power cuts in Belgaum pervent many kids from being able to complete their school work or read. He  designed  50 low cost effective table lamps, which now illuminated the minds of the young school going children. The LED rechargeable lamps cost Rs 23 each.

Kunal Sambranekar
Water Purification

Is the water we drink everyday, actually ok to drink? Kunal Sambranekar, a young LEADer from Belgaum, took  the initiative of testing the water for its purity. He conducted the test in 23 villages across Belgaum district. Out of the samples tested, 90% of it failed to achieve the desired result. This meant that 90% of the water contained harmful bacteria, which causes disease like cholera and diarrhea. The press has covered this issue and the local government bodies and the  Panchyat are working on getting clean, drinkable water to the people in these 23 villages. This project is set to benefit 2, 00,000 people in the 23 villages.

Shruti 

Save Beggars

When Shruti saw a beggar woman distressed, she went to her and had a conversation. However, the interaction didn’t stop with the conversation. She found that her husband was disabled and she had to beg for a living and that they lived on the street. Shruti was determined to solve the beggar woman’s  problem. There were challenges which she had to face, but there was no reason for her to step back. She went to the Tashildar’s and discussed about this problem. She found that there was some scheme by the government for the beggars. Under the scheme,  Shruti got a  house constructed with Rs 10000/- and also managed to get the beggar woman employment with a regular income.

Mallikarjun

Construction of Toilets

Hygiene is a major concern in villages. Mallikarjun identified that villagers were ignorant about toilets. He wanted to educate villagers on the importance of having toilets constructed. This was challenging task. Eventually, Mallikarjun was able to convince the youth about his idea and they set out on a mission. Thousands of people, including the villagers, the swamiji joined hands together for this noble cause. In a span of 3 months 698 toilets were constructed with the help of local government bodies, the taluk Panchayat and the Gram Panchayat.

Veeresh

Sensitization of Historical Monument

Veeresh has done three projects; college parking, issueing  PAN cards and creating awreness about historical temple at Unkal. Through his PAN card project, he collected enough to support eight LEAD projects of his college. Based on his performance in LEAD, he has been promoted to Master Leader and is now the coordinator of LEAD REC Cell. He now coordinates  50 students in his college and  is mentoring all the projects. His temple project has received media coverage.