‘JAAGO’ students’ initiative expands into all SOA campuses
Surjit Kumar Dhal,Bhubaneswar, April 13: ‘Jaago’, an innovative initiative of engineering students of SOA Deemed to be University here inculcating in them the urge to care for the underprivileged in the society, is igniting the passion of students studying in different campuses.
The movement was born in the Institute of Technical Education and Research (ITER), faculty of engineering of SOA, as the students volunteered to teach children in the nearby slums in their spare time.
The SOA management threw its weight behind the programme by providing transport to ferry the children to the campus every afternoon where they were provided tuition by the students. The children were also provided with uniforms, books and other study material.
“We cared for the children, aged two years up to those studying in Class ten, helping them with their studies. And the university supported the initiative,” said a student.
The students often visited the slums to interact with the parents of the children and joined them in festivities like Diwali and Holi.
A special programme was held in Campus Two of SOA on Friday to mark the expansion of the ‘Jaago’ initiative into Campus Two and Three which was attended by the SOA Vice-President Saswati Das.
“Jaago is not only a platform to do good to the society, but is a challenge for young students to understand the needs of the society and fellow human beings,” she said.
“It takes a lot of courage to try and help others,” Ms Das said adding “it is even of greater relevance if you are trying to help children. This will help you shape your character.”
SOA Vice-Chancellor Prof. Amit Banerjee described ‘Jaago’ as a complete package as it had expanded into all campuses. Prof. Anita Panda, Chief Mentor of Jaago and Prof. Jyoti Ranjan Das, Dean (Students’ Welfare) also addressed the students urging them to support the initiative and get involved in the same.
