ABOUT KALAM CENTRE
OUR 4 PILLARS
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION - Connect people and enable them with skills to use technology is what we believe will lead to change and upward movement in the society.
HEALTH, HYGIENE & SANITATION - Create awareness and behavior change amongst the youth and adults in regards to hand wash, female hygiene and open defecation.
EDUCATION - Create child friendly learning environment through community based school management structures and creation of Kalam libraries for free access to books and facilities for youth. integration of child-friendly frameworks, tools and support provided to the Government's Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
GOVERNANCE - Research and develop frameworks to support and build better governing institutions at the ground level. Establish reward & recognition platforms for contribution by individuals and organisation for the same.VOTING: RIGHT or RESPONSIBILITY?
Hierarchial societies found in animal living systems generally rely on the guidance of a leader in civic duties. for e.g., a pride of lions relies on the male lion to give hunting orders; a colony of ants is bound by blood to the queen. The exemplary system of a decentralisation of power does begin with a leader.
What makes society progress generally falls into 2 categories- a hivemind or a leader-led category.A hivemind is possible when all units of a system think together for their progression. A leader-led system is simply the natural extension following greater units to think for.
What makes every democracy unique is the search for a leader by the people. This society wants a unit that is superior to all, for its gain. It is a classic bargain - power for potential. In human culture this is manifested as voting - each person makes their own decision, and the majority decision wins. In theory, this resolves the conflict between two warring factions. Historical evidence, however, shows otherwise.
It may have started out well. The initial two or three leaders (we, of course, model a society living far, far away from any other civilization and presume they have evolved enough for us to observe their actions) must have been mutually elected. But all it takes is a burning splinter to light a hay stack on fire.
Some leaders will believe (if society has responded well) that they have given so much to society that they will turn to their favoured ones. It's nothing really- You have been my aide in welfare, an agent of mine, and clearly I have been blessed with the supreme power, granted by he who is above us all, to rule.Therefore, by association with me, thou hast also been granted the same power. Therefore , thou art fit to rule.
The cycle continues. Soon, everybody deemed worthy by the supreme leader is fit to rule. Hence, propaganda about their retinue must be created. To do this and maintain an appropriate image, we must ensure that other parties do not gain influence. We must consolidate power for our well being. The people will elect us.
I need not elaborate. When we 'vote', we vote because we believe we can have better leaders. Something will change. But who are 'we'? Someone above propaganda ? Are we absolutely sure that we are above propaganda?
A 'right' is that is which legally due to anyone by principles and guarantees. However, if we are responsible for our actions, we are held accountable for their consequences. It is easy to view these terms- 'right' and 'responsibility'- as mutually exclusive . What a 'right' is, cannot be a 'responsibility'- or can it?
If we vote, we find that there are either no real 'good' people to vote for, or there are 'extremely good' people to vote for. Regardless, our vote is just a small drop in the ocean.
Voting is neither a right nor a responsibility. Then what is it? I don't suppose our society (that was imagined previously) has changed, has it? Let's take a look... it is disconcerting.
Would it be appropriate to say 'you win' to our creation?
Or are we the creation observed by others ? Do the individual pieces have power any more?
Are we at least pawns , or merely the board?
This is the only way, I suppose.
No.
It is the only way for a reason.
What about those in countries who do not bow to their leaders and face death?
Why do we take the right to choose as granted?
Is voting a right? A responsibility?
Or is it a privilege that we are blessed and should feel blessed for ?
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1) PRESIDENT :- Overall coordination of the project and missions, calling the team meetings and representing Kalam Centre@campus at different forums and other offices.
- Ved Garge
2) VICE PRESIDENT :- Closely working with the president, setting timelines for the project and maintaining records of the donations received.
- Saie Gokhale
3) CREATIVE COORDINATORS :- Managing photography and graphical content under a set format which is best suited for highest social media engagement.
- Iqra Shaikh
- Atharva Kulkarni
- Nandini Jerajani
4) SOCIAL MEDIA AND MEDIA COORDINATORS :- Starting and managing a dedicated page for the Kalam Centre@campus. This will be based on Facebook and under a set naming format which will be linked to the larger social media page of the Kalam Centre.
- Jatin Satoskar
- Prajyot Agnihotri
- Ananya UB
5) CONTENT WRITING COORDINATORS :- Writing stories of activities, beneficiaries and the student volunteers. Designing slogans,jingles etc. for campaigns.Maintaining a blog.
- Sanjeet Ghatpande
- Pancham Joshi
- Siddhi Patil
6) DOCUMENTATION AND RESEARCH COORDINATORS :- Creating a monthly or bi-monthly newsletter which can be shared on social media. Preparing research papers of the activities and any proposals needed for CSR institutions and foundations for resources and collaboration.
- Hrishikesh
- Saae Patil
- Ishika Sardeshmukh
7) VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR :- Increasing the number of volunteers within and outside the institution , addressing their inputs and concerns and also preparing the best possible messaging for engaging.
- Kanak Magdum
- Anagha Joglekar
8) PROGRAM/FIELD COORDINATORS :- Increasing the scope of work and forming the necessary networks needed and documenting any concerns and new findings at the grassroot level and sharing them with the team.
- Anushka Gujar
- Riya Kohok
9) OUTREACH COORDINATORS :- Reaching out to the other campuses and institutions, maintaining relations with potential sponsors, speakers and partners for activities undertaken and also coordinating with other teams of Kalam centre @ campus in other campuses.
- Veena Gumaste
- Atharva Raut
- Saee Sohoni
'ALWAYS BE CALM, BE A KALAM'
EVENT 1 :- Traffic Awareness Drive
AGENDA :- SOCIAL AWARENESS.
16th October, 2018
The Kalam Fellows organized a traffic awareness programme as their first activity for the year. It was conducted on 16th October 2018 and saw the active participation of all the Kalam Fellows.
Various details regarding the activity were discussed in the meeting held on
15th October.It was decided that the slot of 20 students would be split into 2 groups.
Accordingly, the two groups of 10 students each would conduct traffic awareness drive at
Mehendale Garage and Kokan Express locality respectively. These locations were decided as
they are busiest localities of Pune during peak hours. Also with the help of the teachers, the
students sought permission from the rightful authorities. Various charts with unique and
attractive slogans were enthusiastically made by students before hand.
The initiative by the students at the KSJC Kalam Centre was indeed a
contribution in building safer India by ensuring safer roads. The activity helped teach the
students teamwork and management. It was indeed a resounding success for all at the Kalam
Centre.
Various details regarding the activity were discussed in the meeting held on
15th October.It was decided that the slot of 20 students would be split into 2 groups.
Accordingly, the two groups of 10 students each would conduct traffic awareness drive at
Mehendale Garage and Kokan Express locality respectively. These locations were decided as
they are busiest localities of Pune during peak hours. Also with the help of the teachers, the
students sought permission from the rightful authorities. Various charts with unique and
attractive slogans were enthusiastically made by students before hand.
The initiative by the students at the KSJC Kalam Centre was indeed a
contribution in building safer India by ensuring safer roads. The activity helped teach the
students teamwork and management. It was indeed a resounding success for all at the Kalam
Centre.
' One text/call,
Can WRECK it All!!!!'
EVENT 2 :- A cleanliness drive on Khadakwasla Dam.
AGENDA :- CLEANLINESS.
30th November, 2018
The Kalam fellows conducted a cleanliness drive at
Khadakwasla as an Environment Education activity.
Various details regarding the activity were discussed in
the first meeting held on 19th November. It was decided
that the 21 students of Kalam Centre would clean the
banks of Khadakwasla Dam. One of our objectives was also
to reduce air pollution and also encourage the use of
public transport.
Khadakwasla Dam is approximately 4 kms from Bheem
Nagar from where we walked down to Khadakwasla.
Holding posters and banners related to cleanliness in
order to create environmental awareness.
We collected 15 kgs garbage on the banks of
Khadakwasla. The garbage mainly included plastic
material and maximum amount of wet waste.
While interviewing the local people and the stall
vendors, we were surprised to know that there is no
provision from Municipal Corporation for garbage
disposal. We even did not notice any municipal garbage
bin in the nearby vicinity.
With a view of creating awareness among the public
who visit the place, we left posters and banners there on
the banks of the lake.
The activity was thereby, successfully completed.
Event -3:-Interaction with Orphans of 'Manavya'
Agenda:-Education
Date:-22nd December,2018.
‘Manavya’, an Orphanage Home and a school for the HIV infected children at Bhugaon, Pune . It all started with the simple idea to interact with the underprivileged part of the society and reach out to them.
Firstly, we , a team of 21 Kalam fellows, were introduced to the history and the work of Manavya through a documentary. Soon after, we began with our activities. The students were briefed about the day’s plan and were divided into groups.
To begin with, we asked students to introduce themselves. It was followed by a wonderful value based story telling session. Succeeding the story telling session was the thrilling game of Treasure Hunt. The memorable moment was, when hall turned into a dance floor and all of us danced our hearts out to the beats. After having a blast and being exhausted by all the activities, the programme came to an end with the distribution of cup cakes and gifts to all the children.
The activity was not only a enjoyable experience for the children of Manavya but also a deeply satisfying and enriching experience for us. This Christmas brought with it an opportunity for us to be a Santa in someone’s life and hence this Christmas was truly a merry one.
Event -4:-Red Dot Paper Activity
Agenda:- Health And Hygiene And Focused on Women's Hygiene And Sanitation
Date:-20th Feb,2019
The
students of Kalam Centre went to Seva Sahyog foundation for making red dot
paper bags. The activity was based on the pillar: Health and Hygiene and focused on female hygiene and sanitation.
Seva
Sahayog foundation is a platform to collaborate socially conscious corporate
groups and NGOs for the welfare of society.
We conducted this activity under their project Maitrin which aims in
providing sanitary products and spread awareness regarding their proper
disposal.
For
this activity we conducted “Raddi Donation Drive” before hand and got a good
response. We collected around 20kg of newspapers and donated it to the
Foundation. This was also the first activity which received the active
participation of volunteers.
We
started the activity around 2 pm at the Seva Sahayog Office. We were divided
into two groups and were shown how to make paper bags. By 4:00pm we
successfully managed to make 670 bags.
We
discussed with the volunteers of Seva Sahyog about the collabs for various
activities that we could conduct in the future. It was a different and truly
wonderful experience for us.
Event -5:- Food Donation Drive
Agenda:- Donating money to Lakshya Foundation for the welfare of the families of the martyred soldiers.
Date:-26th Feb,2019
we..the kalam fellows conducted food donation drive at 3 different locations: Shaniwarwada, Sambhaji park,Congress Bhavan.
We made an appeal to the college students to donate :rice & moong Dal and got a tremendous response! We prepared khichadi ourselves and sold it for Rs.5/-
The money collected was donated to the Lakshya foundation which works for soldiers & their families
Through this activity we got an opportunity to donate food to street dwellers and also show our gratitude towards arm forces !
We made an appeal to the college students to donate :rice & moong Dal and got a tremendous response! We prepared khichadi ourselves and sold it for Rs.5/-
The money collected was donated to the Lakshya foundation which works for soldiers & their families
Through this activity we got an opportunity to donate food to street dwellers and also show our gratitude towards arm forces !
Event-6:- Fun with Science
Agenda:- Education
Date:-15th March,2019.
We.. kalam fellows went to Deendayal school to teach fun experiments to the students of class 6..7 and 8..The objective was to make learning fun and interactive through creative experiments .Students were divided into 3 groups which conducted different experiments simultaneously in 3 different classes.Each kalam fellow conducted an experiment .Difficult concepts such as wind pressure,centrifugal force etc were simplified through examples.
The students of Deendayal school enjoyed the experiments thoroughly.
The students of Deendayal school enjoyed the experiments thoroughly.
Event-7:-Learning Beyond the Curriculum
Agenda:-To inspire today's Youth
Date:-11th September,2019.
The last activity of kalam centre batch of 2018-19 ended with a blast . The activity was conducted by us,the kalam fellows on 11th September 2019 in KHS Kannada medium school .Value based sessions were conducted for the students of std 8 and 9 ensuring their whole hearted participation We divided ourselves into 3 groups .each group planning a different session for the students .The objective of all 3 sessions was to discuss relevant topics and issues with the students in an engaging manner. Our first session was an attempt to sow the seeds of patriotism in the young minds through story telling based Swanatantraveer Savarkar ,Bhagat Singh; Chandrayaan 2 In the 2nd session students were shown heart warming short films followed by intensive discussions on those films The 3rd session addressed relevant issues like traffic management,garbage disposal etc.
The students were inspired and stimulated due to the unique and one of its kind.
It was a two way learning experience.
The students were inspired and stimulated due to the unique and one of its kind.
It was a two way learning experience.
कलाम को करो सलाम।
