LEAD

HANDOUT FOR BETTER LEARNING.

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 13:54:00 +0000

Contribution to the innovative learning!!

Education is almost one of the basic necessity these days but what about the real learning which is acquired from certain experiments?

The LEADers of git college belagavi took a thoughtful step to reach out to the kids of the government school and help them out with the innovative learning techniques .

Every year the college hosts an event called 'THE EXODUS' .As the result of excellent organization the event earned a profit which would sum up to Rs40,000+.The students planned to spend this amount most effectively through their project 'MAKE YOUR OWN LAB'.

In this project they called up the agasthya foundation to conduct a workshop on basic science experiments to the juniors of the college .The workshop went upto 2 days successfully .The students of the college learned to make these models from the 4 resource people who had conducted this workshop.Soon they made 7 such science models which included generation of electricity,demonstration of sound in need of a medium to travel,propagation of light ,mometum ,etc.only Rs 3,400 was spent per set of models.

They took these models to government schools ,set up the science labs for them,conducted a workshop where these LEADers taught the kids.Such 5 government schools of belagavi were privileged to have a science lab in their schools.

With this initiative they reached out to 1000+ students .This was just a beginning and these LEADers have better plans coming up to improvise the learning and make it more fun

The excitement and urge to learn in the kids reflected in our LEADers to take up many more initiatives for them.

Posted by : Ritika Ganiger
Email id: ritikaganiger@gmail.com

No doubt they cannot speak our language,but this girl can hear their grief!!

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Sun, 14 Aug 2016 04:30:00 +0000

My compassion towards my fellow beings .

LEADer Divya Hiremath of KLEMSSCET Belagavi is a person with immense care and consideration to the fellow creatures.She observed the difficulty that the birds face during summers .Most of the water of the water sources for them are dried hence they keep wandering for water in order to quench their thirst.

This made Divya to take up an initiative to help out birds this summer .She along with her teams collected waste bottles and kept two containers in them.They filled the containers with grains and water and hung them around in various parts of the city.

Well this project was not just for a day .They had a talk with all the people at the implementation spot and explained to them their vision.She also requested them to keep refilling the containers as and as and when possible.

The crowd also responded very positively.Everybody appreciated the thought that in growing in young students and their sympathy towards the birds .The children of the locality also participated actively.The challenge faced as a part of this project was to convince the people about the motive and talk about how thier little contribution could make lives easy and beautiful for their fellow creatures .
With this initiative they could reach to 250+ people and explain them the needs of the birds .

LEDer Divya says this was an an awareness project where people's attention was drawn to a problem that sounds small but actually isn't .She expresses her satisfaction and happiness in doing this project and plans on continuing her efforts to contribute as much as she can for the society and the fellow creatures.

Posted by: Ritika Ganiger
Email id: ritikaganiger@gmail.com

TO TEACH IS TO LEARN

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 16:27:00 +0000

"Knowledge is life and sharing it is a deed"

“Learning is knowledge absorbance that strikes the best of the learner”.

Grammar is the pillar of the command over one’s language all over the globe. We all learn languages as a subject or as a source to communicate but we at most forget how keen the rules of learning “Grammar” are. We often tend to make the unrealizable mistake in our conversation that may affect your command over the language. These small mistakes we commit always need to be rectified during our learning age, and hence our LEADer Keerthi Raykar from MES Commerce College Sirsi with LEADer Sambhram Mudalgiri realized how important language plays its role in our life.

She took an initiative to take grammar classes at a primary boy’s hostel where she came across the primary students who were in learning stage where they actually needed to learn few many aspects that helped them speak confidently. She worked over their basics and pronunciation which were the main points to figure out.About 80 boys actively showed their interest to learn, grow and explore their personal communication skills.Nevertheless this came up with so much of challenges to face.She had to know the kids a little more friendly so that she is been proved as a good teacher. As she is just a learning student, handling a huge bunch of kids was a big task which she thoroughly accepted and continued.

This turned out much more grasping and interactive among the kids as they were learning something new. Keerthi made sure that this learning class would have the seed of fun learning. So she included displaying the charts and examples to the students which helped them more to fit in the knowledge and implement in their language. She will be regularly brushing up the syllabus she tends to teach in future as she feels that this would help the students stand out confidently and have a good flow and hold over the Kannada language.

Keerthi looks forward to continuing this great deed of teaching as this is giving her more to learn because..

“TO TEACH IS TO LEARN”

Posted by :Rasika Mangale
Email id: rasikamangale@gmail.com

Engineers on a mission to proliferate the importance of Biofuel

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 17:08:00 +0000

INTERNATIONAL BIOFUEL DAY- WHEELS POWERED BY WASTE COOKING OIL

A bus running on biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil went out on a rally in the streets of Chitradurga reaching out to the common people and creating awareness. The depletion of fossil fuels has been a major problem for the human race in the comming days. Researches to find proper alternative are still going on.

Biofuel has given some promising results, but it should be developed and used in a right manner. There is a major role of engineers in this process.Keeping this in mind LEADers shyam, sharath and team of SJMIT College organized awareness program for engineering students on behalf of international biofuel day with help of biofuel unit SJMIT.

There was a session with Natraj.H.Desai, asst. conservator of social forestry department, Sridhar chief coordinator of biofuel unit chitradurga and Dr.Chitrashekar, executive director of SJMIT.Guests enlightened the students about the importance and scope of biofuel in modern world and in the future .They also gave some keynotes to the budding engineers.

LEAD students then planted 30+ biofuel plants

throughout the college campusAnd then a rally was organized in bus which ran on biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil. The rally was given a flag off start by the chief guests of the program, LEADers reached out to the common people throughout the city making them aware of the present day concerns of fossil fuel and scope of biodiesel.
The biggest challenge faced was to convey the purpose of the project effectively to the crowd.With this initiative the LEADers reached to more than 100 engineering students and also people of different areas of Chitradurga.

This initiative was recognized and appreciated by the vijayvani newspaper.

The LEADers involved express the zeal to continue working and making the society aware about important factors that lead to the development of the nation.

Posted by :Shyam
Email id: manjashyam@gmail.com

Reframing Friendship with (G)olden people.

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 18:31:00 +0000

Our celebration with our well wishers!!!

“Friendship is the purest love. It's the highest form of love where nothing is asked for, no condition, where one simply enjoys giving .”-Osho

The first Sunday of August is celebrated as friendship day worldwide in order to cherish the existence of friends in our lives. Every year students celebrate this day by greeting their friends with messages and gifts but this friendship day our LEADers came up with a beautiful approach to celebration. They planned to create a joyous environment for the old , workers and physically challenged troop of the society. They said friendship is not bound by age group instead it’s about mutual affection

LEADers from Varanasi ,Karnataka, Nalgond and Telangana took up an initiative to make friendship bands themselves and reach out to the people of old age homes. They spent some quality time with them and while they returned the people expressed their joy and happiness on seeing them and were thankful for their kindness.

Meanwhile, students of Bellary visited the ‘mentally challenged’ people and made their day special by celebrating friendship day with them. All of them were excited to see the LEADers at their orphanage

LEADers also visited KSRTC workers, security guards, canteen workers and people in their locality during this project. While they were moving on this project they came across women entrepreneurs who were earning their livelihood by indulging themselves in making creative things . The students were inspired by the dedication and efforts put up by these women. This recognized by RED FM ,two LEADers from Rinki and Shalini from Ek Soch Sandbox interacted with RJ Dhruvi and spoke about their experience with this initiative.

This recognized by RED FM ,two LEADers from Rinki and Shalini from Ek Soch Sandbox interacted with RJ Dhruvi and spoke about their experience with this initiative.

This unique and beautiful approach was covered in the TIMES OF INDIA newspapers.

The students express huge amount satisfaction and gleeful on being a part of this mega celebration. They say it was an opportunity they received wherein they got to conspire with (G)olden people and know about their approach to towards friendship.With this initiative, LEAD stands on the fact that our way to celebrate is in the direction to connect to the society and make it a beautiful place to live in .

604 LEADers from different regions and states enthusiastically participated in this celebration. They began being friends with people next door and soon reached out to 3000 people of different sectors of the society.

Posted by :Ritika Ganiger
Email id: ritikaganiger@gmail.com

Protecting Deer by LEADer Mahalinga KS

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Sat, 30 Apr 2016 11:56:00 +0000

LEADer Mahalinga KS from Veershaiva College Bellary realized that in his region, there was a critical situation of deer being killed.

First, he and his team collected data through qualitative measures such as asking neighbouring people, exploring the areas where deer are found, and speaking with forest officials. They also collected any quantitative measures they could find, such as population numbers. It was a challenge collecting the first-hand data, as this involved going to the forested areas when the deers live in the hot summer months.

They then took all this data and compiled it, and gave it to the forest office, local government, and local police so they would better understand the situation of deers being killed. They also wanted to make sure that not only the authorities knew, but the people knew about the issues as well. They went around to villagers to distribute information and pamphlets, attempting to change the village mindset about deer killing.

The team got a good response from the villagers and authorities when they shared the information. They feel positive that their project has had a positive impact in changing how the villagers think about the deers, thus reducing the amount of deer killed in the region.

My Story: Yuvaraj Patil

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Sat, 30 Apr 2016 11:50:00 +0000

My Story: Yuvaraj Patil, VSMIT Nipani

There was one day which turned my life towards achievement. Our sir at college came and informed us to join one programme. We all went it to the presentation... it was the LEAD program. I got impressed by listening about LEAD and by watching the project videos. I saw the LEAD slogan: "complaints start with they... solutions starts with I". This slogan pushed me to achieve something. It is made me to look for problem around me that I could solve.

By keeping the slogan in mind I went home and started thinking over it. Since my home is in rural area, I found lots of problems. In my home itself there was smoke problem from the traditional chula. I wanted to reduce my mother's effort by solving this problems. I start to think over it and I got a solution that is I made a smokeless chula .

Yuvaraj with his smokeless chula installed in a home

Traditional chula produces more smoke and that has an effect on the health of the chef and also on the food. I found a solution to reduce the smoke, in and developed one smokeless chula which works on traditional fuel only but produces less smoke. I have fitted one small part which blows oxygen to fuel and causes complete combustion of the fuel therefore smoke gets reduces. The blower works on a mobile charger and battery so it is economic for rural people.

By seeing this project my mother was so much happy that she showed this project to all her group of women friends. Since the cost of this project is low and it is very effective, they have demanded for this project as well.

On 1st January 2015 was very lucky and very important for me. I received a call from LEAD Deshpande Foundation, they wanted to see my project. I went and I showed my project and came back to home. The next morning only I saw my news in various news papers as a “FIGHT AGAINST THE POLLUTION”. I felt very much happy and my parents were also proud of me.

I was selected for LEAD Prayana 2015 and my project was selected for showcasing in Yuva Summit 2015. I enjoyed and also I learn lot in Prayana and at Yuva Summit. I exhibited my project in front of the role models, and in award ceremony I sat on a chair in crowd. There was one announcement from Ajay sir, functional head of LEAD, that was "the Best LEADer award goes to Yuvaraj Patil". I was surprised because I could not have thought that I will get this award. I accepted my Best LEADer award on stage from Nobel Prize Winner Kailash Satyarthi-ji .

Accepting the Best LEADer award at Yuva Summit 2016

I went back to my village but I did not stop my work. I started thinking over more problems, because I found lot of problems around me. And I started to solve the problems through LEAD projects. I completed more than 20 projects.

Conducting one of many projects: reducing daytime home electricity usage with waste bottles

While doing these projects the villagers were observing me. They thought that I would be a good leader... they changed their perspective about me since I was always very quiet. One day the ex-Panchayat member came to my home and he suggested to me to stand for election. I was shocked for a few seconds, but I thought that this is a very good chance to do something for my village and so I said yes.

Yuvaraj after his Gram Panchayat ceremony

Because of all my work in my LEAD projects the people elected me as a Gram Panchayat Vice-Chairman without any opposite competitor. If LEAD is not with me then I could not be a leader as a Gram Panchayat Chairman.

At last I want to tell you all my friends that LEAD is a bridge from normal student to successful leader. One of the most important things I learned from LEAD is that converting an idea into reality with great effort is the moment of success. No matter if the idea is small or bigger, converting it into reality is the main thing I learned in LEAD.

Yuvaraj sharing his My Story on stage at Yuva Summit 2016

Head-Controlled Computer Mouse by LEADer Shadab

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 12:02:00 +0000

LEADer Shadab from NTTF College Belur invented the "Head Mouse". Shadab reasoned that some people with developmental and locomotive disabilities cannot use their hands to operate a computer mouse. In this project, he developed a hands-free computer mouse that moves the cursor according to the movement of our head.

The clicks and double clicks are obtained by breadth inputs. It uses an accelerometer and gyroscope fixed in the mouse to track the movement of the users head with I2C communication. This data is then used by a onboard micro-controller to analyze the motion of the user. This then communicates the computer-wired (bluetooth)/ wirelessly (user preference) and moves the cursor via serial communication. The mouse uses a microphone to get users breath inputs in the form of blows to analyses the breath to be left click, right click, double click or scroll. The mouse then sends the cursor and click data to computer either via Bluetooth or via USB Cable.

Scientifically, head movements have 6 degrees of freedom. An accelerometer cannot alone track all the 6 degrees of freedom, but only is limited to 4 degrees of freedom. Coupling a gyroscope with it adds another 2 Degree of freedom. This realization overcame one of the major challenges Shadab faced in designing the head mouse.

While this project is still in developmental phase, it is a great example of combining skills learned in college with a social project that could have a big impact in the lives of others.

Helping Blind Students by LEADer Jyoti H

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 11:01:00 +0000

Some times blind students face problems in writing examinations because the examination board allows one person to attend the examination along with the blind candidate. But what happens if sometime the supporting member does not catch their sentences properly? It will effect their result.

LEADer Jyoti H from Jigular Women's College thought this to herself, and wanted to make a difference. She took permission from her hostel warden to teach economics (her degree) for the eight blind students who were studying the subject, to ensure they had the extra help and tutoring they needed.

Jyoti also realized that it was important to ensure the blind students had the right helper to transcribe their examination answers. Jyoti helped the students determine the good quality helpers, thus making the students feel more positive and interested to learn.

By assisting these students to do their best without treating them like they were less, Jyoti made a positive difference in the lives of her fellow students that had a visual impairment.

Educational Trip for Poor Children by LEADer Saibindu and Shashidhar

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 10:48:00 +0000

Children getting off the bus in Hampi

Without any resources, destitute children lack to ability to explore and learn about the world around them. LEADers Saibindu and Shashidhar from Veerashaiva College wanted to give the opportunity to these children to do that which they would otherwise never get the chance.

Saibindu and Shashidhar took 42 children from the destitute children home in Bellari to the historical town and sites of Hampi. After getting permission from the home, teaching themselves all the key information about Hampi historical sites to teach to the students, they transported the students to Hampi in a bus they rented with funding from LEAD.

LEADers with some of the teachers
and children

This one-of-a-kind project made the children so happy and excited, all while learning about the different temples and ruins in Hampi and seeing the Hospet Dam. They were able to experience travelling to visit a very famous place, and the LEADers felt very proud that they were able to help the children forget about their poverty and sadness for even one day, and hopefully motivate them for future.

There were no doubt challenges, including receiving all the appropriate permissions as well as ensuring the safety of the children and getting tickets for the monuments for each one. However, the LEADers and children both thoroughly enjoyed the day and learned a lot.

Media coverage of the project

New Agricultural Techniques Awareness with LEADer Harish D

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 07:43:00 +0000

LEADer Harish D from Veershaiva College Bellary realized that there were many new agricultural machines, innovations, and subsidy programs, but without awareness, farmers were unable to take advantage of them. Harish took it upon himself to share this information with the farmers, and inspired his fellow leaders to join him in his awareness campaign.

Media coverage of the project

Harish conducting information
sessions for farmers

Harish and his team held information sessions in villages,

spreading awareness to over 600 farmers in total. Not only did the team inform the farmers of the new techniques and programs, but encouraged and helped them to take advantage. With the help of Harish and his team, 7 farmers (with help from 45 others) received a commercial loan to purchase new innovative farming equipment, in which the farmers received a discount of 14 lacs on the equipment. In total, 50 farmers benefitted from this new equipment. Another farmer, with information from Harish, purchased 2 buffalo and one cow to improve his farming.

One challenge for the group was to gather the farmers in one place to do the information session. They know it would take significant time to share the information door-to-door, so with the help of a few local people, the team went around to invite the farmers to a central location. Harish also found it challenging to convince the bank to offer low-interest loans to the farmers. Many of the farmers had limited history with banking, and therefore both the banks and farmers were hesitant.

Harish and team receiving award at
Yuva Summit 2016

For this project, Harish won a Best Leader Award at Yuva Summit 2016, receiving it onstage in front of a crowd of over 4000 from Nobel Laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus. John Deere Bellary also appreciated Harish for his work getting their innovative equipment to the farmers who need it most.

LEAD Valedictory 2016 - Belagavi

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 11:08:00 +0000

Dignitaries visiting the project showcase

On 23rd April, Belagavi's LEAD Valedictory 2016 was hosted at KLES Belagavi. The event included guest speakers, a project showcase of 36 of the year's top projects, student story sharing, and 8 awards presented to deserving students. Over 100 students and faculty attended the event.

During this event, Mr. Naveen Jha (CEO, Deshpande Foundation), Dr. S. V. Divekar (Dean of Infrastructure, GIT College), and Mr. Yuvaraj Patil (Lead Ambassador, VSMIT Nippani and Gram Panchyat Vice President, Nitawade, Kolaphur District) presided over the celebration.

Special guests with newly designated Master LEADers
and LEAD Ambassadors

LEAD Valedictory is also the time to start thinking about the year to come. 19 LEADers were promoted to Master LEADer in order to start their journey in promoting LEAD throughout their colleges and helping to unleash the leadership potential in those student around them. Four students were promoted to LEAD Ambassador, the next step in the LEAD levels and a great achievement.

Deshpande Foundation CEO Mr. Naveen Jha present token
of recognition to unrecognized woman Ms. Chougala

As the theme of the event was "Recognizing the Unrecognized", LEAD also recognized a woman in the community whose valuable work goes unseen. Special guest Ms. Madhavi Chougala, a cleaning lady at Maratha Mandal Engineering College. This act is a continuation of the successful International Women's Day project taken on by LEADers across the country.

One of the major components of the Valedictory is providing recognition and congratulations to the top LEAD students of the year from the respective area. Below are the winners of the 8 awards presented at the Belagavi Valedictory 2016.

Best Initiative Social Project - Divya Hiremath

Best Fundraiser: Vedanth M, GIT Belgaum

Most Active Prayanee: Vaishnavi Hatrote, KLECET Belgaum
Best Awareness Project: Suyash V, JCE Belgaum
Most Initiatives Taken: Chetan Kulkarni
Most Active Volunteer: Arpan Sathapathy and Manish Noola
Best Creative Team: KLECT Belgaum

Best Initiative in Education: GIT Belgaum

LEAD student sharing their leadership story and experiences

LEAD Valedictory 2016 - Varanasi

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 07:28:00 +0000

Special guest Mr. Nasib Bamal visiting project showcase

On 18th April, Ek Soch Sandbox at MCIIE (IIT BHU) hosted the LEAD Varanasi Valedictory of 2016.

The event was organized to appreciate and award the college youth for their leadership initiatives that they took to solve the problems of the local community.

College youth and faculties based at Varanasi and surrounding participated to witness the exhibition of top 25 leadership projects and awards to the best leaders.

The guests of honour of the event were Wing Commander Mr. Nasib Bamal (Commanding Officer, 7UP Air Sqn BHU, VNS), Dr. P.K. Mishra (HoD, Chemical Engg. Dept. & Coordinator TBI, IIT BHU), Dr. P.K. Sharma (Program Coordinator, NSS BHU), and Mr. Ajay Suman Shukla (Functional Head, LEAD, Deshpande Foundation).

Out of 108 leaders who successfully executed their ideas into action as leadership projects, 7 leaders were appreciated for the remarkable leadership work that they have done to bring a positive change in the society.

Shabnam and Amrita receiving Best Leader Award

Arya Roshan receiving Master Leader designation

Awarded leaders include;

Leaders Rishu Kumar and team (BHU) - Best Team Award for executing 10 leadership projects in the team of 12 members
Leader Priyanka Srivastav (Rajkiya Mahila Mahavidyalay, DLW) - Most Female Empowerment Initiatives Award. She executed 9 leadership projects along with her friend Susheela to solve the problems of DLW surrounding community. Read more about one of Priyanka's projects here.
Master Leader Uttam Dixit (BHU) - Best Leader Award for bringing tech solutions in promoting the education and ensuring 500 meters of road construction by motivating and ensuring the use of allotted fund to the village panchayat at Susuwahi. Read more one of Uttam's projects here.
Leader Dharmendra Patel (BHU) - Best LEADer and Best Project Awards for executing four leadership projects (helped 150 people to get the Aadhar Card, helped 250+ villagers to get the ration card without any extra fee, helping 118 village women and youth to open their bank accounts in UBI). Read more about the projects here.
Leader Anand Krishna (DAV College) - Most Daring Leadership Project Award for initiating and executing the project in four district jails to teach the kids below 6 years who live along with their mothers within the jail premises, executed same project for bricks Klein (Bhatta) workers' kids. Read more about the project here.
Leaders Shabnam and Amrita (ABRPG College, Anpara, Sonbhadra) - Best Leader Award for raising the funds and cloths from the localities and helping the 100+ people living on the roads and in slum in winter season.

Four leaders were promoted to Master Leader to further enhance their leadership skills and spread to word about LEAD on their college campuses. The new Master LEADers for 2016/2017 are Uttam Dixit (FoSc. BHU), Dharmendra Patel (FoA, BHU), Arya Roshan (SHEPA College), and Priyanka Dey (VKM, BHU).

Ms. SurShakti receiving recognition

As the theme of the event was "Recognizing the Unrecognized", LEAD also recognized a woman in the community whose valuable work goes unseen. Special guest SurShakti cooks the midday meal and cleans the campus at a local primary school, all while raising her family on her own. This act is a continuation of the successful International Women's Day project taken on by LEADers across the country.

LEAD Valedictory 2016 - Hubballi

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 05:57:00 +0000

The event started with a showcase of 50+
of the best projects from the year

LEAD Hubballi celebrated the accomplishments of LEAD 8 in their Valedictory ceremony on 20th April, 2016 with the theme "Recognizing the Unrecognized".

Guests of honour watering the plants for inauguration

The guests of honour, Mr Laxman Uppar (Director, Classic KAS & IAS Study Circle), Mr. Rupam Das (Hubballi Area Director, Clarks Inn Group of Hotels), Sister Erminia (Our Lady of Lourdes German Hospital, Dharwad), and Mr. Naveen Jha (CEO, Deshpande Foundation) presided over the celebration. The event was attended by more than 250 LEADers, students, and faculty from the locations of Hubballi, Dharwad, Haliyal, Sirsi, Hulkoti, and Ballari.

Many LEAD students were awarded for their accomplishments this year (see full list below).

Manjunath Gogi from KLEIT Hubballi won Most Promising LEADer for his dedication and work in his project TALAASH, a competition for technical ideas to win seed funding and startup mentorship, now in its third year. You can read more about Manjunath's story here.

AKSF Fellowship winning Best Team

Kush from NTTP Dharwad receiving
Best Innovative Idea from Mr. Laxman Uppar

Valedictory is also the mark to start preparing for the coming year. Harish Gadgin for KLEIT Hubballi was promoted to LEAD Ambassador, the highest LEADer level and a great accomplishment, and 17 LEADers were promoted to Master LEADer in order to start their journey in promoting LEAD throughout their colleges and helping to unleash the leadership potential in those students around them.

Best Awareness Project: "Career guidance program"by Varadh Kulkarni, Veerashaiva College Ballari

Best Adult Education Project: "Darkness to Bright Future" by Jyoti Hanagi, Jigulur Womens College Dharwad

Best Children's Education Project: "Destitute Children Hampi Trip" by Saibindu & Shashi, Veerashaiva College Ballari

Most Initiatives Taken: Sardharganesh H V, Veerashaiva College Ballari

Most Creative Project: "Canteen Renovation" by Raghavendra & Shushant, KCD Dharwad

Best Community Project: "Painting Road Breaks and Bus Stand" by Sampath & Abhishek, GFGC Kalghatagi

Best Innovative Idea: "Head Mouse" by Kush, NTTF Dharwad

Most Promising LEADer: Manjunath Gogi, KLEIT Hubballi

Best Fundraiser: "Help the Needy", Veerashaiva College Ballari

Best Team: "Wearing Helmets Saves Lives", AKSF Fellowship Hubballi

LEAD Chikodi Valedictory 2016

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 06:36:00 +0000

LEAD Chikodi marked a momentous day as LEAD 8 came to a close and the year's accomplishments were celebrated with the theme of "Recognizing the Unrecognized". On 15th April 2016, LEAD Chikodi celebrated its Valedictory in collaboration with VSMIT Nipani.

The guests of honour, Mr. B A Pujari (Principal KLE’s C B Kore Polytechnic College Chikodi), Mr. Abhinandan K (LEAD Team Deshpande Foundation, Hubballi), and Dr. U S Hampanavar (Principal, VSMIT, Nipani) presided over the event.

The event was attended by more than 150 LEADers, students, and faculty who witnessed this celebratory and informative event. The students from the different locations of Chikodi, Nipani, Raibag, and Nidsoshi took part in the event.

Many LEAD students were awarded with Best LEADer and Best Project awards. Asma, Saleem, Darshan, Archana & Deepak were awarded for their initiatives taken in different fields. Several other LEADers were also celebrated for their projects that have made an impact.

Sandesh J from Raibag Polytechnic College was awarded Best LEADer for his work with LEAD over the last 2 years. Sandesh grew from a shy student to a leader, and has done projects in many different fields. You can read his My Story by clicking here.

Accolades were also presented for Best Supporting Faculty and Best Supporting College. Mr. Rakesh G. was awarded Best Supporting Faculty, VSMIT Nipani & C B Kore Polytechnic won Best Supporting College, and Smt. A A Patil’s Women’s College won Best Team Award. You can read about the Toilets for All project, conducted by the team from winning college Smt. A A Patil's Women College, by clicking here.

Valedictory is also the mark to start preparing for the coming year. Three LEADers were promoted to LEAD Ambassador, the highest LEADer level and a great accomplishment, and 8 LEADers were promoted to Master LEADer in order to start their journey in promoting LEAD throughout their colleges and helping to unleash the leadership potential in those students around them.

My Story: Arpit Srivastava

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 10:32:00 +0000

MY STORY: Arpit Srivastava, Amity University Uttar Pradesh

“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”

In this context, I, LEADer ARPIT SRIVASTAVA, from spiritual city Varanasi, will present my leadership story. It’s a phenomenal fact that behind any positive implementation there are nurtured ideas whose existence defines valuable humanity. For me the biggest challenge was my attributes, as I don’t know about my internal properties and in consequences. Every time I feel myself weak in different field like communications or academics, I saw myself as just an average which forces me to feel as a failure and lose my self identity.

But, by joining LEAD program after an orientation at IIT-BHU, I got courage and confidence and I realized that I do have many choices; many doors are now also open for me in form of opportunities. Thus I took a valuable decision for myself and I have done two projects “SAMANVAY” & “VRIKSHAROPAN”.

Vriksharopan project

“VRIKSHAROPAN” is near to my heart as I feel direct connect with nature. I used waste materials like large drums and containers which were in stores in a useless way. Thus, I took an initiative to give identity to those useless non living materials to protect living beings. I planted many plants in those waste materials and I also used my roof area to plant small herbs and vegetables like coriander leaves, tulsi, garlic, chilli, lemon, tomato, beans, and aloe vera. I this way I am contributing my efforts in protecting the environment and nature, and I think that our society will also look forward in contribution on their own level and can help in conserving nature in a sustainable way. “Everything present on this Earth has its own identity, it’s just a way of perception”; which gives me enough strength to prove that I do have potential to make things alive.

Playing with slum children in Varanasi

As an Social Media Intern with LEAD, I also got to observe things which were new for me from all the four sides. It has given me an innovative experience; forces me to think from all the sides.Thus for me as an Intern I do realize that both quality & quantity were necessary to exemplify the attributes. So now I know my attributes, now I know how I can evaluate myself; to implement positive ideas for society, by society and to society.

Thanks in part to the confidence and skills I learned in LEAD, I won first award in the Entrepreneurial Business Presentation at Kashi Institute of Tech, Varanasi. I presented a model "BioDeX", a reactor that can help in detoxifying toxic chemicals which are used in dye industries. Unwanted dyes directly drained into water bodies which makes it contaminated for living beings.

Winning my award for "BioDex"

Being a LEADer & an entrepreneur, as well as a LEAD intern, I am using my academic & social strength for the betterment of society & “what was my weakness, today that is my strength”. The outcome is now positive for me; it teaches me that how to inculcate, evaluate myself on a socio-technical platform, it teaches me how to explain my views in a professional way. LEAD, not only gives me a platform but also it gave me an identity which cannot be earn by other means.

”If nature exists, then only we exists”.

My Story: Manjunath Gogi

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 09:19:00 +0000

My Story

Manjunath Gogi, KLEIT Hubballi

Hi, I am Manjunath Gogi. I began my LEAD journey in the November of 2012 and since then it has been a constant learning experience of over 3 years. When I think about how it all began, the first thing that strikes me is that I was always passionate and involved about my technical ideas and wanted to work with them. However, the urge to join LEAD arose only after I began watching my enthusiastic friends who stayed busy with different LEAD projects. Soon I joined LEAD and got a good platform from where I could pitch my ideas and also could get involved in the social issues. After joining LEAD, over time my ideas and thoughts over the various issues, my perspective to see things and eventually my mindset at large has changed.

I have done three social projects in LEAD and out of these three; I would like to talk about one. It is about giving security helpline number to women. I believe that women should be always respected and seeing them getting eve teased and harassed bothered me. I wanted to do something. So I took a step and launched my first project ‘Women Security Protocol’. I talked to a women association near my home about my idea and intention behind this project and they agreed to help me out. The women from the association gathered on the 8th of March 2013, the International Women’s Day. On the very day, with the help of these women and the police authorities, I re-launched a security helpline number for the women in the area of Navanagar. This would not have been possible if the women association, Mr. H.D. Kulkarni (C.P.I. of Navanagar Police Station) and Mr. I.M. Dundasi (P.S.I of Navanagar Police Station) had not supported, encouraged and stood by me. The helpline number is 0836-2233512.

At Talaash 2014 with LEAD Functional Head Mr. Ajay Suman Shukla

My biggest accomplishment in my LEAD journey has been starting Talaash. Having a dream is not a big deal but achieving it is what matters! I wanted to organize a technical event and came up with the idea ‘TALAASH’. The event was meant for the students pursuing engineering and diploma course. The participants were required to prepare a prototype model and the best innovative and commercial viable projects will get seed capital for its execution. The main motto of the event was to transform the student into an entrepreneur using his or her own idea. It was both my biggest dream as well as challenge. Since it was being organized for the first time, I faced many setbacks at the beginning but with the help of my mentors and my teammates I came through those setbacks and achieved success. I started alone but later a lot of people joined me one by one and we had a great team at the end. The biggest challenge was still to get the sponsorship.

Amidst many negative responses, the first positive response came in form of Mr. Sasishekar Krish (Founder and CEO, nanoPix) who agreed to sponsor the event with Rs. 1.5 Lakhs. It brought a new zeal within me and helped me to move forward. I began working harder. Later on I approached Dr. B.S. Anami, the Principal of my college with our LEAD coordinator Madhumati Madam and my principal agreed to host the event in our college. Thus, my college became hosting partner of our event ‘TALAASH’ and we finally ended up raising a sponsorship of Rs.177,500/-.

Thereafter, our next milestone was to get registrations of 50+ projects. At the beginning, we had only 10 registrations which made us worried. But later on with the help of Dr. B.S Anami, we finally reached 57 registrations from the different parts of the state.

TALAASH '14 gave a good platform to over 225 students, and also venture capital of Rs. 40,000 to two projects, Rs. 25,000 to two more projects and Rs.15, 000 to one more project.

Finishing the event successfully was not the end for me, it was the starting step which made me test my abilities to the extinct. I started working with the winning teams of Talaash’14 and helped them to start their company. Now, that winning team named CAKEBOARD has already started their company. (www.cakeboard.in)

On stage with the judges at Talaash 2015

The success of Talaash ’14 triggered me to start it again. Team TALAASH and I started it again. This time we aimed for a bigger target; 4 times larger than Talaash’14... and we successfully reached the target! Even this time, Mr. Sasishekar Krish (Founder and CEO, nanoPix) sponsored for the prize money, which was Rs. 3,00,000/- total.

TALAASH had received 200 applications/ideas from 23 different cities and 37 different colleges’ across Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Greater Noida, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Telangana. Out of 200, top 85 ideas were shortlisted for the second round, and the top 30 teams were further selected to showcase their prototype in the final event on 7th May at KLEIT, Hubballi.

Top 3 Ideas were chosen among all the presented ideas. They were awarded with a seed fund of Rs. 1,00,000/- each from nanoPix Company and incubation support from Deshpande Foundation’s Sandbox Startups.

At LEAD Prayana 2015

Through LEAD, I have had many other great opportunities. I have taken part in LLP 2014 and LEAD Prayana 2015. My experience in LLP in 2014 helped me get the idea for Talaash, and then in Prayana in 2015, I got the motivation to execute it. Both of these LEAD opportunities were amazing, but in different ways. LLP was very helpful for me in terms of skills development, and Prayana was immensely inspiring!

At Yuva Summit 2016, I was a speaker at LEAD Talks and shared my leadership story with the crowd of 500 attendees, including my peers and special guests. It was my first experience doing major public speaking, and it was a tremendous learning opportunity for me.

Speaking at LEAD Talk, Yuva Summit 2016

Village in the Digital Age by LEADer Dharmendra K

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 05:10:00 +0000

LEADer Dharmendra Kumar Patel from BHU wanted to help his village gain their basic needs in the modern age. With new requirements from the government but barriers to the villagers obtaining these requirements, Dharmendra realized that many of the villagers would be unable to receive subsidy or rations.

Dharmendra took on three projects in his village: bank account set-ups, AADHAAR identity card sign-up, and ration card sign-up. Together, he felt these basic needs would help the people in his village have their presence recognized in the modern age. These projects also helped build basic modern skills in the village, including ATM use, making signatures,awareness of financial saving, and interacting with large modern establishments such as banks.

At first, only a few villagers were willing to take part in the process and many were hesitant for change. However, now those initial participants have told their neighbours and people are regularly approaching Dharmendra to take part and get a card and bank account. Women are coming out of their homes to sign up and join the modern age.

While Dharmendra has three specific projects, overall he is aiming to increase the wellbeing in his village. A good example of this is his motivation of a disabled woman. She had lost a leg in an accident, and was simply sitting around all day, although he had 3 children to feed. Dharmendra motivated her to learn the basic skill of sleeving to create an income, and after she had a small amount of earnings, got her to take part in his projects. Today, she has 4,500 Rs. in the bank account he helped her create, and she owns her own sleeving machine.

LEAD Valedictory Davangere - 2016

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 07:16:00 +0000

On 2^nd April LEAD Davangere marked a momentous day by celebrating LEAD Valedictory in collaboration with A.V. Kamalamma College for women, Davangere. There were around 400+ students including faculties who attended the event and brought more glory to the event.


LEADers with Guests at Stage

Students listening to motivational speech by guest

The guests of honor were Dr. G.N. Mallikarjunappa (Executive Director, SJM Vidyapeeth, Davangere), Prof. Shivaprakash (Principal, A.V. Kamalamma College for Women, Davangere), Dr. Manjunath, (Principal, Jain Institute of Technology, Davangere), Shri. Ajay Suman Shukla (Functional Head, LEAD, Deshpande Foundation, Hubballi) and a special guest Mrs. Mamatha who was awarded during the LEAD International women’s day for her special contribution to her service presided over the events. The event was highlighted by an inspirational presidential talk held by Prof. Shivaprakash (Principal, A.V. Kamalamma College for Women, Davangere) and a motivational talk by Mr. Ajay Suman Shukla (Functional Head, LEAD).

LEAD student explaining about her project to the guests

Many LEAD students were awarded with Best LEADer and Best Project awards. Bhuvaneshwari and Chandrika from DRM Science College were awarded for their initiatives taken in different fields. Individual project awards went to Tasmiya from Jain institute for recognizing the unrecognized women, Abhishek from Department of Journalism received Best activities volunteer and creative LEADer and several other LEADers for their different projects that have made an impact.

There around 8 LEADers Shyam from SJMIT College, Chitradurga, Latha and Amulya from BIET College, Davangere, Netravathi, Bhuvaneshwari and Chandrika from DRM Science College, Davangere, Tasmiya from Jain Institute of Technology, Mamatha from Department of Social Work Davangere University are promoted as Master LEADers. Akhilesh from Saraswati Law College, Chitradurga promoted as LEAD Ambassador.

Students receiving award

Mrs. Mamatha (Special Guest) receiving award from the guest

Overall the day has completed with lot of joyous moments and students bought back lot of information and knowledge along with them.

My Story: Arya Roshan

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 09:33:00 +0000

My Story: Arya Roshan, SHEPA Varanasi

My name is Arya Roshan, and I'm a BBA student from SHEPA College Varanasi, My father is a teacher, and since I was a child, I wanted to make the change in the society in a positive way like my father.

However, I needed some support, then my classmate Abhishek told me about LEAD and LEAD provide me that platform.

I joined LEAD in March 2015, and I have participated in many projects as like Ganga cleaning, women appreciation, Nukkad Drama. From these projects I learned that you can make a change in society, even at little-to-no cost. I no longer feel like the only person who wants to make change: i am surrounded by other students who have the same goals and support me, and who have become great friends to me.

Volunteering for a celebration project in the slum area

My individual project is "Signature Complain". The idea of this project came from a Adhar Card Camp, where people who work in the camp were misbehaving with the illiterate people because they didn't know how to do a signature and fill forms. I was also inspired by the work of another LEADer, because in his project many of the villagers were having to learn a signature in order to sign up for a bank account for his project. Then I realized that I must teach them to signature. I went to my papa and asked to him about the easy way to teach signature.

Teaching the signature

When I went in a village for starting the project, I faced many problems. No one was coming forward to learn signature, but at that time, an old lady came forward and told me that she wanted to go to school but there was some problems she had, so she didn't go to school. She was the first lady who learned to doing signature from me, and now I have taught 94 people how to do signature... this project and each and every project make me happy.

In 2015, I went to Hubballi for LEAD Leadership Program (LLP) and I met so many different kinds of people and made friends of all kinds: different areas, different languages, different interests. I also met many inspiring role models and improved my leadership skills so much in just 10 short days.

LEAD transform me from a shy student to a LEADer and gave me a LEADership qualities. I met many fellow LEADers who I have learned from, and many LEAD staff members who have taught me excellent skills.

"You can change the world if you care enough"

My Story: Aaliza Naseem

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 07:52:00 +0000

My Story: Aaliza Naseem, SHEPA Varanasi

Ever since I was a child, I had been interested in social causes. My mother and I would take old clothing or food to the slum areas to distribute, and I learned how important this was. However, as I grew older, my hesitation and shyness stopped me from going out in the community to do social work. I could barely speak in my own classroom or at a party!

I was intrigued by a LEAD orientation at my college because it spoke about developing your own personality and self-improvement, all while contributing to society. This is exactly what I felt I needed.

The first thing I did when I joined LEAD was take part in a old clothing distribution group project, however, I learned quickly that this was not the same as donating our family's old clothing to the slums with my mother. I had to interact with the public, asking for donations of old clothing and trying to convince them. I also learned to work in a team; we struggled with coordination and timing, but after pushing through, we worked effectively and efficiently as a team and it was a successful project. I learned something very important: you need a team to succeed.

Volunteering at an old age home

By volunteering in the projects of others, I have been able to contribute to more causes and build my skills more. two of my favourite projects to help with were providing protective plastic to roadside vendors to increase hygiene, and installing dustbins in the community.

My main project as a part of LEAD has been adopting an orphanage in Ramnager. I have focused almost all my efforts on that one orphanage for over 6 months already, doing many projects with them and benefitting them. Since it is my local orphanage, I saw the terrible conditions of the children there, and noticed how dependent all the children were. I wanted to make their lives better and give them a brighter future. While it was difficult to convince the orphanage owners to trust me and my team, we proved ourselves by working, at first, in front of them so they could see our project and our good intentions. This is also where being part of the LEAD organization helped, because it built our credibility.

Working with Agastya Foundation at the orphanage

So far, I have donated hygiene products, done learning and science workshops and creativity sessions, and celebrated several festivals with the orphan children. However, in this project I have, over time, built a team of 9 LEAD students who work in my project. This is my first real leadership role, and while i was initially nervous, I have learned to become a more confident leader and increased my communication skills. I speak personally to each team member, making sure I understand what they want and how they want to help.

Next for the orphanage project I hope to build connections between the orphanage and the local shopkeepers, and have the orphans make paper bags to sell to the shops. This would allow the orphans to make a small income, and because I hope to set up bank accounts for each one, this would help them gain more independence over time.

I also got the chance to take part in LEAD Leadership Program (LLP) 2015 in Hubballi, Karnataka. Before LLP I didnt even ask question in my college class, but there I gained the confidence and developed my identity. I lowered my stage fright, and am now able to give presentations in my college classes, be a better and more confident leader, and be more social.

On stage at LLP! Getting over my stage fright and increasing my confidence

When I was promoted to Master LEADer, the first in Uttar Pradesh, I was so excited to share. I have seen the changes in myself that LEAD has helped to cause, and my parents are also so proud. I am able to express myself!

My Story: Priyanka Dey

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 06:48:00 +0000

My Story: Priyanka Dey, BHU

I had always wanted to make a difference, but I just didn't know how to take the first steps. This is why, when I saw a LEAD Orientation at my college, I was so inspired to join. I saw the pictures of the LEADers having fun and making a difference, and I thought, if they can do it, why can't I? I also saw how many of the young students were meeting such inspirational and iconic role models, and I wanted that chance as well.

When I first joined LEAD, I knew I wanted to make a difference, but didn't know exactly what to do. So first, I realized I had to establish what the need was. I looked to other LEAD projects for inspiration, and thought about all the possible people in the world who could use help.

Then, one day, I was crossing the street in Varanasi, and a feeling came over me that this area, one particular slum, was the area I wanted to contribute to. I saw the bad conditions of the children, siting around playing cards and chewing paan rather than in school, and saw how dire the living conditions were. But how could I help them?

I decided to conduct a survey of the area to figure out what their needs were. I made a team of friends and fellow LEADers, and went door-to-door in the slum area, gathering information about the people in the slum, including their professions, how many children there were and if they were in school, and what problems they faced in their lives. From this, I realized that many of the children were not regularly attending classes and did not have any interest, and the parents did not encourage them to learn. For this reason, I decided to create an education project for the approx. 80 children in the slum community. While many of the students agreed to attend the program, they did not seem enthusiastic, and this motivated me to help awaken their interest in education, which is where the name of my project came from, "Awakening Education".

At first, I thought to hold my program in the park behind the slum. However, due to personal safety concerns, I realized this was not a good idea. After explaining the issue, one community member agreed to arrange a room for me and my team to teach in, but when he did not follow through, we were left again with no space. But then the family of several of the prospective students offered their roof as a teaching space. I took this as a good sign; someone so poor was being so generous as to let me, a stranger, use their home for my project.

With some of the students of "Awakening Education"

My team and I started teaching each weekday evening from 4:30 to 6, plus we would do a fun activity with the children on Sundays, such as chowing a movie on our laptops, games, or a painting competition we once organized. But after a few months, we realized we needed a real formal space to teach in. Several of us went to speak to government schools, and while they all appreciated our work, the firts two schools refused. After much deliberation, the third school agreed to let us run their program in the school, giving us the keys to the government school. This was a huge moment of pride.

After months of doing my "Awakening Education" project, I was accepted into LEAD Prayana and got the chance to travel around Karnataka with 130 other amazing LEADers. I met amazing role models like I had seen in the orientation, and it was even better than I imagined. A quote from organic farmer Narayan Reddy sir, "simple living, high thinking", was incredibly inspiring for me. IAS officer Mannivannan displayed such amazing speaking skills and showed me someone doing amazing work for his country, standing up to corruption, with little recognition. And Malathi Holla mam, the acclaimed para-athlete, was so motivational in sharing how passion and devotion can lead us to reaching all our dreams.

Selfies with role model Anousheh Ansari at LEAD Prayana

At the end of Prayana was Yuva Summit, and it was at this award ceremony that I won a Best LEADer Award 2016. I was shocked. My name was the last of the seven winners to be called, and after hearing the caliber of the other projects, I never imagined I would win. When my name was called, the last LEAD award of the night, it was such a great moment and I became overwhelmed with emotion, accepting my award from such great dignitaries on stage.

Accepting my Best LEADer Award 2016 from the legends at Yuva Summit

When I returned to Varanasi, I found myself surrounded by support. Not only were my parents and family so proud that I can been recognized so greatly at such an early age, but the principal of my college asked to speak to me. I had never met her before, and I felt very proud. My friends had not known I was on Prayana and thought I was at home, so when I came back and had met the role models and won an award, they were so surprised!

In March 2016, I got the chance to be a part of the "Recognizing the Unrecognized Women" on International Women's Day. I organized an event for the mothers of the students in my project, and appreciated all the work they do to support their children. I was so glad to be able to appreciate these women who had allowed their children to become educated.

Recognizing an unrecognized mother on IWD

I am now motivated to share my story with others, and inspire others to join LEAD. LEAD has helped me to develop my personality, and I hope others take this opportunity as well.

Hygiene for Slum Children by LEADer Amrita Raj

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 06:09:00 +0000

LEADer Amrita Raj from ABR PG College Anpara was concerned about the wellbeing of the slum children in her area. Instead of doing doing, she took action with a LEAD project in order to make a small positive change to give these children closer to the standard of living she had during her upbringing through hygiene kits.

Collecting funds door-to-door

First, Amrita gathered a team and went door-to-door collecting donations from the wealthier areas of her community. While it was difficult to convince people to give them their hard earned money, Amrita focused on explaining why their project mattered to the lives of the slum children and built trust and credibility by explaining about the LEAD program. Eventually, Amrita and her team collected 3500 Rs.

Amrita and the team making the bags

Using old newspapers to create the bags, which lowered the cost and reduced waste, Amrita and her team filled these packages with basic hygiene products for babies and young children, including shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.

The team distributed over 150 hygiene packages to young children and mothers with babies in the slum area. For Amrita, the best part was seeing how excited the young children were to receive anything new and just for them, even simple hygiene products.

Cheap LED Lights with LEADer Uttam D

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 05:53:00 +0000

Thanks to an long-term interest in electronics, LEADer Uttam D from BHU has designed a very inexpensive LED light to be used in villages.

Uttam loves to take electronics apart, and realized he could make his own small light from old electronics parts for very cheap. At first, the light only lasted for 2-3 minutes, but with the addition of a diode, the simple light is rechargeable and lasts over 6 hours per charge. Rather than using all new parts, the light uses parts from waste phones, including the chargers and batteries. This means that the product can be made cheaper, but it also better for the environment.

So far, Uttam has sold over 50 of the LED lights to individuals in his village and nearby villages for 25 rupees each, earning a small profit of 5 rupees for future supplies. In Varanasi there is a proven market for Jugaad innovations, and therefore Uttam is capitalizing on this openness to small, inexpensive, “homemade” products. He is now trying to commercialize his LED lights.

Don't Smoke! with LEADer Tara M

noreply@blogger.com (LEAD) — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 12:13:00 +0000

LEADer Tara M from ABR PG College (Anpara) understands the many negative effects of smoking, but was concerned that many members of her community did not. She felt compelled to educate them about the many reasons they should not smoke or use tobacco products, including raised blood pressure, increased chance of macular degeneration and stroke, and negative impacts on the lungs, heart, mouth, and throat.

Tara and her group visited the slum areas, where they though awareness about the dangers of smoking would be the lowest. Armed with signs and knowledge, they stopped people in the streets and visited homes to relay their message of health.

Out in the community, there was two highlights. One man, after the LEADers explained the dangers and pointed out the notice on his tobacco pack that "smoking is injurious to health, tore his packet of tobacco in half and said he would never touch tobacco again. Another women, after speaking with the LEADers, asked for forgiveness and promised to live free of tobacco and alcohol.

Tara considers this project only the first step in her motivations to "stop all the nonsense" and work together "towards a day when there is no alcohol, smoking, or tobacco factories".