IIM Indore’s students continued their welfare activities at Janapav Kutti village under ‘Umeed’ initiative of Utsaha-the Rural Marketing Fest of IIM-Indore.
The students held a workshop on basic sanitation practices for the children with demonstration on inculcating habits such as washing hands before and after meals; not indulging in open defecation and washing of hands after; primary care when one is suffering from cold and cough to prevent it from spreading; self-sanitation practices including taking a bath every day, etc. The children were enthusiastic and promised to follow the measures and teach everyone around them to follow the same. Colourful handouts with pictures were distributed to the children who promised to stick them up in visible places.
Another workshop on making LED bulbs was held for adults in the village, with the support of the village Sarpanch. LED bulbs are safe and consume much lesser electricity than other options and are sold in the retail market for Rs. 200 per piece. Raw materials were made available during the workshop for a few trial pieces to be made. Once everyone is comfortable with the process, a continuous supply of raw materials will be made available. The Sarpanch plans to facilitate selling of the bulbs (to be priced at Rs. 50) as well as usage in their own homes. The young men in the village, some of whom are tech-savvy were even introduced to the idea of selling products including the handicrafts made by the village women online.
Utsaha Coordinator, Rohan Sontakke promises, ‘We intend to interact with the village-people all year-round through such initiatives. This promises welfare for them and a lasting relationship. The Sarpanch is very supportive and has even promised rewards to the children for following up on their new learning.’