Objectives of the Practice
To sensitize learners about the issue of hunger among the economically weaker
members of society, M.K.E.S. College of law has created a channel through which
student volunteers distribute food packets to the destitute every day of the year.
This practice, known as Project Poshan is adopted with an objective to instill
compassion and a sense of social responsibility among our learners.
The Context
M.K.E.S College of law, along with providing education to its students, aims at
creating awareness amongst the young learners that they are the members of the
society, a society whose future lies in their own hands. This initiative saw its first
phase of development with the adoption of an Adivasi village at Karambeliwadi, Pen
Taluka, Raigad District in 2017. During educational activities it was observed that the
children in this village were malnourished which made us initiate our project - Project
Poshan - Nourishing the malnourished in August 2017.
The Practice
In order to proceed with Project-Poshan in a systematic manner, student volunteers are
appointed who strictly monitor and take care of the necessary requirements for its
implementation. Student Co-Ordinators are also appointed for this project, and are
tasked with the responsibility of preparing the distribution timetable for this project.Once the timetable is prepared, the other members of the team help in the execution of
the same. Through this distribution drive we also make sure that the each of the
volunteer gets the opportunity to take the lead role, thereby honing the leadership
skills in them. We ensure that every member of our team is positively involved in our
project.
The most challenging phase for our students in implementing this Project was the
Pandemic of 2020 due to the restrictions imposed by the Government, but even in this
situation our student volunteers made sure to reach out to the destitute regularly
during night with food packets and they also made sure that the extremely poor in the
vicinity of their homes were taken care of. The Institution has also adopted a project
titled ‘Patang’ where, student volunteers of Youth with Vision have been visiting old
age homes and orphanages in Malad, Kandivali and Panvel. As part of the Project
Patang, our students also provide Ayurvedic Massage and Hot Water Therapy to the
elderly villagers of Karambeliwadi. Their floors are floored with cow dung and their
clothes are washed by our male students. This is done on a regular basis.
Evidence of Success
MThe adoption of Project Poshan and Project Patang has helped us to build a strong
relationship with the villagers; our constant visits to meet them have also made them
feel that they too have a family that cares for them. The regular visits of the student
are eagerly awaited by these villagers. This has also helped our students to build
compassion towards each other which is one of the Fundamental Duties given to us in
the Constitution of India.
The various activities and social work organized by our students has earned M.K.E.S.
College of law a lot of goodwill and support from the locals which in turn acts as
motivation for our students. This shows that such practices help in the implementation
of human rights and the inculcation of collective responsibility amongst the students.
Problems Encountered and Resources Required
Our volunteers faced problems in transporting the food items and other required
groceries and also at times have faced a shortage of food. With regard to the elderly in Karambeliwadi, hygiene is the biggest issue and needs to be resolved by
providing sanitation and other facilities.
Notes
Social work helps in the development of empathy in students; it helps the students
in building relationships and also in understanding the different perspectives. It
not only helps in increasing the social interactions that boost mental health but
also helps to improve the physical health of the students. Our Institution is
planning similar activities that can have a lasting impact. For Instance, projects to
facilitate better sanitation and hygiene of the residents of the villagers of
Karambeliwadi are being considered.