Hello folks,
'Touching Lives' touches the media !
The Pioneer, Delhi Edition, 19 September 2004
Townhall page
Goto
http://www.dailypioneer.com/ 19 September 2004 edition and click on 'City'
(Major thanks to Nasia Bakshi, thanks a lot buddy!
)
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IIM students turn philanthropers Nasia Bakshi/New Delhi
Indian Institute of Management (IIM) students boast of being among the best in the world. And why not. They have been at the forefront of finding solutions to the toughest of management problems. Now, they have gone a step further and become philanthropers.
Two years back, 21-year-old Allwin Agnel started a website pagalguy.com, an online forum to discuss MBA related queries with aspirants. Within two years, it has become a rage and more than 8,000 members have registered themselves with the website. Its guest list consistently touches the 50,000 mark every month.
The promoters say the website's success lies in the strong community feeling among the student fraternity around the country.
Says Wayne Fernandes, a commerce graduate working with ABN Amro Bank: "The website offers an interactive forum, and the best part is that we get quick response to our queries."
With the forum's popularity growing leaps and bounds, Mumbai members decided to meet to evolve ways of tying up with NGOs. "We contacted a host of NGOs for their cooperation to enable us to offer community services on Sundays, but all except one NGO, NASEOH, were cynical about youngsters serving the community."
NASEOH and pagalguy.com members tied up with corporates for data-entry jobs and impart special computer skills to youngsters. "Many youngsters are already working with companies like Datamatics, Reliance,Transworks, Godrej and with other smaller companies as machine operators, packers etc," said NASEOH India director, Sudha Balachandra.
"pagalguy.com volunteers are playing a vital role in bridging the gap in society," she adds.
The success of the Mumbai online meet prompted other chapters to raise a similar demand.
Says software engineer Shameek Chakravarty: "We visit villages, spend time with kids and teach them about staying healthy. This is our way of imparting them a holistic learning." Adds 22-year-old Zarine from Hyderabad's ICFAI Business School: "At times, kids amaze us with their witty answers."
The Hyderabad Chapter of pagalguy.com's has tied up with an NGO, MV-Foundation. "Here, the focus is on eradicating bonded labour, getting children enrolled in school and ensuring that they don't pull out. Organising summer camps and bridge courses for children is the cornerstone of MVF programmes," said MV-Foundation Programme project coordinator, R Venkat Reddy.
Pagalguy.com's Bangalore wing has joined hands with Snehalya, an NGO working for orphans, while the Chennai chapter is in its initial stage of finalising ties with Children's Relief Fund (CRY).
The Delhi chapter of Pagalguy Community Services is expected to kickstart soon.
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Three cheers for us!
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