Community Connect
The Community Connect Committee is pursuing a mission of helping people and creating a better society. The Committee will touch many aspects of social service like volunteering for those who are needy, donating and making it reach to disadvantaged, creating awareness for an environment friendly world, organizing camps for blood donation etc. The committee looks forward to taking up various causes for the benefit of society and building an environment of community and teamwork among teachers, students, faculty and staff.
Objectives of the committee:
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- To create opportunities for students and faculty and staff to connect with the community and work for the welfare of the society at large.
- To collaborate for supporting various organizations through donation of time and resources and facilitating volunteer opportunities.
- To make efforts for establishing a better society and environment.
- To develop a social work temperament among students, faculty and staff.
Semester (Aug-Dec, 2020) Activities:
An online lecture was organized by Community Connect Society on Oct 14, 2020, 14:30 hrs onwards on “Protecting Civil Rights and Communities”, via Zoom platform. It was delivered by Ms. Teesta Setalvad with the objective to motivate and encourage students for community welfare. She is a popular Indian civil rights activist and journalist, working as a defender of human rights. She is the secretary of Citizens for Justice and Peace, an organisation formed to fight for justice for the victims of communal violence in Gujarat in 2002. It was an engaging session ending with a Q and A round. The event was moderated by Ms. Sharmishtha Sharma, Student coordinator of Community Connect society. Welcome address and Vote of Thanks was delivered by Dr. Smita Gupta.
An online competition was organized by Community Connect Society on Sept 28,2020, 14:30 hrs onwards via Google Meet titled as ‘CAMPAIGN FOR COMMINUTY BUILDING IN COVID TIMES’.
Students had to look around in their neighbourhood and identify problems in society and seek probable solutions. After finding the probable solution, students were required to prepare a short video to explain his probable solution.
Students who participated in the competition and had identified many problems in society like prostitution, mental health , drug addiction. Competition was judged by Dr. Poorva Ranjan (Professor, DME Management School, Head- Management School, Head- Mentoring Cell) and Dr.Smita Gupta. Participant Ishant Jain (BALLB- III year) was the winner who identified the demerits online teaching in contemporary times.
At the end of the session, a Q and A round was held at the request of students.
Semester (Jan-April, 2020) Activities:
On 28th January 2020, Community Connect Society organized a visit to Goonj aiming to sensitize students to the grim realities of life. Twenty-seven students of Management, Law and Journalism School accompanied by Dr. Smita Gupta and Ms, Monika Kadam visited the Goonj.
Goonj is a non-governmental organization headquartered in Delhi, India which undertakes disaster relief, humanitarian aid and community development in parts of 23 states across India. An NGO that catalyses community development initiatives using local wisdom. It focuses on clothing as a basic but unaddressed need.
Mr. Uttam gave us a warm welcome and briefed us about Mr. Anshu Gupta, founder of Goonj, quoting that everyone must learn to share. “Even the smallest things are of value and can bring smiles and joy in the lives of the needy. However, we don’t give away aid for free. It is in lieu of work done by the locals.” It provides all these necessities but not free of cost but by helping the villagers in using their local resources to build dams and wells or making roads, asking children to come to school, etc.
After that, Ms. Sneha and Mr. Ravi Kalra showed us the entire work centre giving a glimpse of the work that Goonj is doing. This included sorting and upcycling clothes and creating useful kits for distribution to the poor and needy, hand-looming etc. They stressed the importance of sharing only those items that can be used. They said, “We separate donated items into three categories-Good Condition, Repairable and Beyond Repair.” The items that are considered beyond repair are never distributed.
Nothing at Goonj goes waste. They convert all unused paper into notepads and booklets. Worn out car seat covers are converted into purses, wedding kits, family kits and cassette tape is woven into a fabric.
They also explained the NJPC-My Pad project to the students. NJPC is Not Just a Piece of Cloth initiative catering to the needs of menstrual hygiene. Awakening the students about how difficult it is for village women to buy a pack of sanitary napkins. “These women would use plastic bags, hay, even cow dung cakes to absorb their flow,” says Mr. Ravi Kalra. This is how the need and initiative were driven to create the sanitary pads from used clothes and distributed them to these women.
While students wholeheartedly contribute old books, clothes, stationery etc as often there are collection drives organized at the college level, it was a first experience for them to witness the process of effective utilization of the so-called waste. It was an awe-inspiring experience for them to see the segregation units and the way each piece of the products are being used till its last use and made into a valuable commodity that is consumed as a resource by the needy. These visits organized by the Community Connect Society are not just a display of our social responsibility but also a forum to instil the values of empathy and compassion among the students. These are life skills demonstrated in action.
Semester (Jan – April, 2019) Activities:
With the objective to bring smiles on the faces of old and aged people, Community Connect Society of Delhi Metropolitan Education, organised a laughter session in Shahiraj Foundation Old Age Home, Shrestha Vihar, Delhi on 17th Jan, 2019. In the age where doctors prescribe laughter yoga, laughter meditation, community connect society made a reason for residents of old age home to be happy. Fifteen students of BALLB and BBA together did one hour laughter session, wherein they narrated funny stories, humorous poems, jokes and hilarious folk songs tried to spread happiness through emotional connectivity. Indeed, aged people cheered, clapped and danced enthusiastically. Faculty who accompanied students were Dr.Smita Gupta (Associate Professor) and Ms.Neha Sharma (Assistant Professor).
With the objective to bring smiles on faces of blind children and children with multiple disabilities, Community Connect Society of Delhi Metropolitan Education, organised a game session in Saksham Daksh School (school for visually impaired, multi handicapped and deaf blind Children) Sector 51, Noida, on February 1, 2019. In present times, where self development takes over all priority, Community Connect society member endeavours to make children with multiple disabilities smile and laugh by playing games with them. Sixteen students of BALLB/ BJMC/ BBA together did one hour game session with children. They played games based on bollywood music, conducted quiz, motor skill games and even made clay motifs with them. Students tried to spread happiness through emotional connectivity with these children. Indeed, children cheered, clapped and danced enthusiastically. Faculty who accompanied students were Dr.Smita Gupta (Associate Professor) and Ms.Neha Sharma (Assistant Professor).
With the objective to teach students basic skills of photography, a workshop was organised by Community Connect Society of Delhi Metropolitan Education, on Feb 25, 2019 at 3 o’clock in Nelson Mandela Auditorium. Twenty six students of BALLB/ BBALLB/BJMC together participated in the workshop and had hands on experience. Workshop started with the importance of photography since ancient times and its increasing value in present times. Students understood the value of perception, light and time while clicking a photograph. They learnt that before opening shutter they need to think. Workshop was stimulating highly energising and filled with fun. Students enjoyed the workshop. Workshop was conducted by DME Media School and Mr.Harjeet, (Assistant Professor) was the facilitator. Workshop was organised by Community Connect Society convened by Dr.Smita Gupta, (Associate Professor).
With the objective to bring smiles on abused and distressed women faces, Community Connect Society of Delhi Metropolitan Education, organised a Cultural Program in Kushalta Vikas Kendra, Pehchaan, maintained by Shakti Shalini, delhi based NGO, located in Nehru Nagar, Delhi on March 8, 2019. Women in this shelter home are being provided and trained for various skills like tailoring, beautician, photography, computer technology etc. by trainers resourced by Shakti Shalini. Program included solo song, group song, solo dance, group song with the theme of inspiring women and trying to change lives by getting motivation from music, art and theatre. Students performed a skit which raised sensitive issues like menstrual social psyche, honour killing, rape and awakened women about freedom for women. Twenty three students of BJMC/BALLB and BBA together did one hour session, wherein they got themselves connected to these distressed women and in true sense celebrated women’s day. Faculty who coordinated and accompanied students were Dr.Smita Gupta (Associate Professor) and Ms.Neha Sharma (Assistant Professor) & Ms.Monika Kadam (Assistant Professor)
With the objective of social service, Community Connect Society has organised a Community Connect Week from March 11 to March 15, 2019. Students were encouraged to participate and volunteer for various NGO’s. More than 20 students participated and volunteered for Saksham- school for diabled children (Sector 51, Noida), Niveda – free education to slum children (Sector 31,Noida)and Nirbhed (free schoolfor children – Indirapuram). Community Connect Society provided a connecting link between students and NGOs. Students really enjoyed doing social service and developed a temperament for it. They had immense pleasure in spending time with children, teaching them and even learnt the value of education. Some of the students even started this as a regular activity in their schedules. Community Connect was successful in developing a social service attitude among students. Students had even given their enthusiasm and elated feedback on Community Service Record form, which was provided by Community Connect Society.
With the objective to reach to people and encourage people for healthy living, Raahgiri programs are being organised in Delhi and Noida. Raahgiri was organised on March 17, 2019, at dividing roads of Sector 77 & 74. Students participated and attended the program and enjoyed their Sunday morning. Students participated in zumba dance, yoga and aerobic exercises. DME theatre society performed a skit on the theme of #me too# and greatly appreciated by audience. Music society also presented a performance and made audience nostalgic by good olden and new songs mix. Faculty, who coordinated for participation of students, was Dr.Smita Gupta. With the objective to bring smiles on children faces, Community Connect Society of Delhi Metropolitan Education celebrated the festival of colours with the children, getting education in Free School under the Bridge on 19th March, 2019 near Yamuna Bank Metro Station. Members of the society distributed various eatables, candies and beautiful colours to play with and created a festive among the children and the teachers. Children showed extreme love and benevolence towards the DME Community connect member volunteers. They celebrated the festival with great pomp and enthusiasm. Sweets, chocolates, snacks and drinks were distributed among the children of various age groups by college students. After the distribution of food, Holi was celebrated with extreme zeal and happiness. All the children and the members actively participated in the program which came to an end by dancing and enjoying the each and every moment. “Free school under the bridge “– as christened by its creator Rajesh kumar Sharma—teachers hundreds of poor children who live in shacks and hutments dotting the banks of the Yamuna.
With the objective to bring smiles on children faces, Community Connect Society of Delhi Metropolitan Education celebrated the festival of colours with the children, getting education in Free School under the Bridge on 19th March, 2019 near Yamuna Bank Metro Station. Members of the society distributed various eatables, candies and beautiful colours to play with and created a festive among the children and the teachers. Children showed extreme love and benevolence towards the DME Community connect member volunteers. They celebrated the festival with great pomp and enthusiasm. Sweets, chocolates, snacks and drinks were distributed among the children of various age groups by college students. After the distribution of food, Holi was celebrated with extreme zeal and happiness. All the children and the members actively participated in the program which came to an end by dancing and enjoying the each and every moment. “Free school under the bridge “– as christened by its creator Rajesh kumar Sharma—teachers hundreds of poor children who live in shacks and hutments dotting the banks of the Yamuna.
Community Connect society, under Delhi Metropolitan Education organised mega health check-up camp for all the students, Faculty Members and staff on 3rd April 2019 at Nelson Mandela Auditorium. Camp was organized in association with Fortis Hospital Noida . The aim of the health camp was to administer Health Assessment, spread Health Awareness and provide Health Counselling. A special team of doctors, consultants, nurses and volunteers conducted free consultation and checkups in Orthopedics, General Physician, Gynecology, Dentistry. In addition to this, free Blood Pressure Checkup, Blood Sugar Checkup, RBS, Height , Weight, BMD and ECG was carried out on the students, faculty members and staff. The camp was open for all DME Students, Faculty Members and other staff. Total 187 people participated and utilized the services. Necessary medical advice and precautionary measures were given to everyone.
Semester (Aug – Dec, 2018) Activities:
With the objective to provide help to Kerala Flood Relief people, a donation drive was organised at Delhi Metropolitan Education, Sector 62 Noida from 27th August to 1st Sept 2019. Lots of donations in kind were received. Student’s faculty and other members of staff also contributed. All the collected donations were taken to the NGO – Sarvhitey, F -56, Sector 51, Noida on September 1, 2018. The NGO centre is also working for Kerala Relief people along with many other areas, so our donations will also be added up and will be delivered in Kerala.
A blood donation camp was organized on October 1, 2018 at Delhi Metropolitan Education, in collaboration with National Thalassemia Welfare Society and Dr.Ram Monohar Lohi Hospital,Delhi . Director General Mr.Justice Bhanwar Singh and Vice Chairman, Mr.Aman Sahni presence motivated students to donate blood for social cause. Director, Dr. Ravi Kant Swami served as a source of great encouragement by being the first donor. The auditorium was abuzz with young students, faculty members and senior dignitaries having conversations with each other, happy to be able to play their part in lending a helping hand to people suffering from thalassemia. Thalassemia is a blood disorder passed down through families (inherited) in which the body makes an abnormal form or inadequate amount of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The disorder results in large numbers of red blood cells being destroyed, which leads to anemia. A great number of participation was seen from all three departments Law, BBA and BJMC. A record breaking of 137 people turned up from which 87 donors donated their blood. Before the actual blood collection there was a blood sample collection simply to state whether or not a person is fit to donate their blood by checking their hemoglobin levels. Blood donors were provided with bananas, biscuits and frooti to reenergize them. Program was coordinated by Community Connect Society of DME.
With the objective to encourage students to practice random acts of kindness in their day to day life, Community Connect Society celebrated Community Connect Week. Students were motivated to participate in the event by doing an act of kindness. Making a short video, showing the act (or after doing the act), capturing emotional change of the receiver (for whom the act of kindness was done). Winners were:
WINNER 1 – SHEKHAR RANA (BBA, 2nd yr, Sec. C)
WINNER 2 – APOORVA CHANDRA(BA LLB, 2nd yr, Sec. A)
Students participated in large numbers and they realised that many times we derive more happiness when we do an act of kindness for others. Winners videos were uploaded on social media and appreciating videos were uploaded at DME official website.
On the occasion of auspicious festival Diwali, Community Connect Society organised Diwali Community fair (Joy of Giving) on November 2, 2018 at DME campus, with the objective to support NGO’s who are associated with under privileged people/children. Vice Chairman, Mr.Aman Sahni , Director General, Bhanwar Singh and Director, Ravi kant Swami set the mood of Diwali Community Fair by shopping for a cause and inspired teachers, staff and students for the same. NGO’s from Delhi & NCR region participated in Community Fair and had put their stalls of handicrafts items. NGO’s, which participated, were Deeplaya, Women’s Synergy, Niveda Foundation, and Society for child development, Raah, Mesh, Nav prerna, People Union for Legal Rights, Setu Foundation. DME students in ethnic wear enthusiastically participated in Community Fair by putting up food stalls (sandwich stall, sweet dish stall (Kheer) and chat items like Gol-gappe, Bhalle –Papdi etc) Photo booth and interesting games which included glass game, shooting balloon games and many more. All funds raised by students had been donated to Government Kerala Relief Fund.
With the objective to celebrate festival of lights with community at large, Community connect society organised ‘Diwali for all’ with Niveda Foundation located in Sector 25, Noida. Niveda Foundation is an nongovernmental organization working for free education to slum children. Faculty Members of Community Connect Society alongwith 34 students visited Niveda Foundation where around 120 students below class 4 were waiting to celebrate diwali with them. Community Connect student team prepared a small cultural program for these slum children. Saurabh and Gayatri of BALLB, third year students anchored the whole program which included music performances by music society, diya making and hand painting. Children enjoyed a lot while hand painting and diya making and even danced at the tunes of their favourite songs. Last part where kids enjoyed most was, when they received gifts from our college students.
