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Social Service and Philanthropy

2. Goal: Describe the aim of the practice followed by the institution. Brief the underlying principles or concepts in 100 words

The college, in keeping with its motto and the vision of its founders tries to incorporate the principles of social service and philanthropy in its day to day matters. This is a double- pronged exercise aimed at providing financial succour to the students even as they are encouraged to come forward and help those less fortunate than them, Thus, the institution aims at providing welfare measures to the meritorious and deserving students while encouraging them to grow by helping others. This will help the college to live up to its motto ‗By love serve one another‘ (Bible, Galatians: 5:13)

3. The Context: Describe any particular contextual feature or challenging issues that have had to be addressed in designing and implementing the Practice in about 150 words:

As this Practice is thoroughly enmeshed in the philosophy and outlook of the college it has been contextualized in the moral orientation of the college right from the time of its foundation till the present time. While designing the Practice the determination of the criteria for the award of concessions sometimes becomes a trifle difficult as a number of parameters has to be taken into account, and one is never sure that justice is delivered. Another challenge at times encountered in the course of implementing this Practice is those faced by NSS volunteers who need to sustain the momentum of their social work but due to time constraints and the pressure of their academic syllabus cannot always do so.

4. The Practice: Describe the Practice and its implementation. Include anything about the Practice that may be unique in Indian higher education. Please also identify constraints or limitations, if any, in about 400 words:

Having started in a small way the college has always had a very homely atmosphere where students have been nurtured like family members and have had their needs attended to. Bearing in mind that some of our students are first generation learners we try to preserve the tradition of service to them in the name of a common humanity. Hence, students from impoverished backgrounds are given, according to the urgency of their need, full-free and half-free studentships, concessions for their computer education and other financial support from various funds in the college. They are also encouraged to apply for scholarships from the West Bengal Minorities Development & Finance Corporation, a statutory corporation of the Govt. of West Bengal. Eligible students secure financial help from this and other sources. The Book Bank in the central library has been augmented of late with text books for economically disadvantaged students. Two funds under the Alumnae Association have been set up to cater to the needs of students as well as the hostel staff. Besides, there are several college funds which are administered for the welfare of both staff and students. Even as students are catered to they are taught to be responsive to the needs of those less fortunate than them. Every year the students collect donations for the Blind Persons‘ Association and this year they were able to donate a total of Rs.20, 214/- to the said association. The NSS volunteers too give their time, service and usable clothes and other things in good condition to the people of the adopted slum and to church fetes. The staff and students come forward and collect substantial donations for a student, staff member or even a complete stranger (known through Radio FM) who is in dire need of resources for an emergency medical condition. Seminars and lectures on moral values and character building are quite regularly organized by the college that the ideas pertaining to this Practice may be disseminated in the minds of the students preparing them to participate and take the initiative in community service. The college has accommodated visually impaired and fully blind students both as hostellers and day-scholars. These students are provided with every sort of assistance by the authorities, staff members, specially the faculty, the matrons and the other students. The faculty members provide free tutorials, books and other help to students who are unable to buy books.

5. Evidence of success: Provide evidence of success such as performance against targets and benchmarks and review results. What do these results indicate? Describe in about 200 words.

The college has been fairly successful in setting an example in works of moral provenance, and in inculcating a similar spirit in its students. Our target of providing concessions to deserving students has been met. One of our donors who had instituted a memorial prize (financial) in the Department of Bengali has doubled the amount so that a student in each of the 3 years of academic study receives a handsome amount to buy books and other educational aids with. The number of students receiving the scholarships from the West Bengal Minorities Development & Finance Corporation has also gone up in the last year. The

response from NSS volunteers in the unit is growing beyond our expectations. For instance, the number of students wishing to enlist for the annual Special Camp this year is 80 against the stipulated 50. However, a benchmark (within college parameters, of course) has been set by our students in their wholehearted drive to collect donations for the Blind Persons‘ Association. This year they have collected the sum of Rs.20,214/- against our estimated target of Rs. 15,000/- These results indicate a happy turn in the mindset of our students who are progressively opening up their hearts to philanthropic activities which help them to mature as human beings.

6. Problems encountered and Resources required. Please identify the problems encountered and resources required to implement the Practice in about 150 words.

In implementing this Practice no problem as such has been experienced except for financial limitations which naturally come in the way of raising our targets. As many of our hostellers come from economically straitened circumstances we would ideally like to provide assistance to a greater number of them which under the present situation is not feasible. At present Hope Foundation is sponsoring two of our students. It would help if more such organizations could come forward and help some of the deserving students who struggle to acquire an education. We require more resources in terms of donors, both individuals and organizations in order to extend and develop this Practice.

7. Notes (Optional)

Any other information that may be relevant and important to the reader for adopting/implementing the Best Practice in their institution in about 150 words.