College activities@VESASC

COLLEGE ACTIVITIES IN THE AGE OF NEW HOPE

PAGE 52 VIVEK 2020-2021 COLLEGE ACTIVITIES Additional Credit Program “Every teacher in the world knows ways of connecting with students and humanizing a classroom. These things don't perfectly translate into a classroom with social distance or an online learning space…… But they do transfer” - Dave Stuart Jr This Pandemic year was a huge challenge for the Some of the areas students researched this year whole teaching community, and the Additional included topics of interdisciplinary concern such as Credit Program was also directly affected as were Effect of Gayatri Mantra, Patents, chatbot therapy other educational programs. and Digitalization in India towards Cashless The schedule of ACP Module 1 lectures was to begin economy to highly technical topics such as from April 2020 after the completion of College visualizing protein structures using python, exams, but as luck would have it, a country wide Isolation of oil-degrading organisms for lockdown from mid March caused the ACP module bioremediation, to name a few. 1 to be delayed. Keeping in mind the safety of the students, Module The team of ACP met in June and proactively 3 (Community Service) was designed as activities decided to brainstorm to find ways to offer the that could be done online. Students were offered a program in alternate ways. Uncertain times made it three session workshop based on the concept of very difficult to predict and follow through with the Good Consumerism and Green lifestyle. The three schedule. Students that were already enrolled were sessions were each based on Natural Hair care, instructed to start their research components - Natural Cleansers and sustainable menstruation. As Module 2 along with their mentors. This too was part of their community service module, students difficult for students who had connectivity issues had to attend these workshops to gain awareness and limited data packages. of using natural products, try the methods taught(activity) and teach the community what As we learnt modes of online teaching, we were they had learnt (action). able to bring all students together through google classroom. Module 1 compulsory portion was Twenty students who completed Module 2 and 3 of completed. Electives will be completed as soon as the ACP Program were monitored for their progress exams get over. continuously by the team and evaluated at the end of the year through presentations. These twenty This year despite the struggles of health conditions, students were able to shine despite the challenges and the challenges of the new online system, new and difficulties posed by this Pendemic, with the research options were explored by the students support of the toil and hardwork of their teachers and their mentors through module 2. In total, 20 and mentors and a well organized effort by team third year students completed their research ACP. module. The methodologies which they adopted were: developing computer programs and/or ACP students have shown that “When the going websites, use of bioinformatics tools, survey based gets tough, the tough get going”. studies, research paper review and book review.

PAGE 53 VIVEK 2020-2021 COLLEGE ACTIVITIES Career Guidance and Placement Cell “The secret to success, is to be ready when the opportunity comes” Following this quote, we at VES College of Arts, Some of the placements in the academic year 2020- Science and Commerce work towards our 21 include, Two students from Computer Science students being equipped not only with an department and one student from the IT department academic report they can take along with them got placed at Adroit and two students from Computer as they step out, but also a job. To enable this Science department were placed at Nityo. endeavour, we have the “Career Guidance and Placement cell”. Here we ensure that our market- Five students from Computer Science department ready students are channelled to the right and two from the IT department got placed at the employers, which we invite to the campus to prestigious Wipro company. Following suit, two employ our students. students from the Computer Science and IT departments respectively got placed at TCS. one As we know the year 2020 has been a challenging student from IT department bagged an offer from one for most of us, especially in the academic Deloitte and one from IT at LTI. Six students from field with new patterns of teaching and learning Computer Science and one from IT sketched in at coming our way. However, we at VES College of Infosys. Apart from this 10 student from MSc-II Arts, Science and Commerce, did not let this (Microbiology) have appeared for an online test for deter us and have still managed to bring a good CIPLA Ltd. and are awaiting their results for the same. report of student career guidance and placements even during these dire times. Ms.Tejal Suresh Rahate, from the Computer Science department, has also successfully completed her On 4th September, 2020 a webinar was internship as a web designer with GruwitZ LLP from conducted to guide students in preparation of 10th August-10th October 2020. Competitive Exams like UPSC and MPSC. The The above-mentioned placements are testimony of speaker for the session was an IAS Officer and the combined efforts of the staff and the quality of Founder-Director of Chanakya Mandal Parivar. 75 students we nurture at VESASC. students attended the webinar and benefited from the session. Following this session on the Webinar on GD & PI 11th of September, 2020 a career Assessment Test was conducted for Third year students of all the courses. It was in collaboration with UPES. 102 students appeared for the test and detailed report about aspects like personality, interest area, aptitude etc. were generated for the students. On the 26th of February, 2021 a guidance session on Group Discussion and Personal Interviews was organized in the online mode in collaboration with Squad Infotech Pvt. Ltd for all third-year students of the college. The speaker for the session was Ms. Shilpa Borkar from Squad Infotech Pvt. Ltd. 75 students attended the session.

PAGE 54 VIVEK 2020-2021 COLLEGE ACTIVITIES Go Green \"Go Green Committee works on the principle that 'Save the nature to save the future, make safer environment for better tomorrow\" Objective of our committee is to sensitize the 3rd March was observed as “WORLD WILDLIFE DAY” students and staff towards environmental to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of consciousness. This year due to pandemic all wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the activities were conducted online. multitude of benefits that their conservation provides to people. On this occasion a quiz was The term biodiversity refers to the variety of life on organized on world wild life as a sneaky form of Earth at all its levels, from genes to ecosystems, and learning. This quiz also included a pledge so as to can encompass the evolutionary, ecological, and remind students regarding their duty to the cultural processes that sustain life. Biodiversity conservation of wildlife as a responsible citizen. The includes not only species we consider rare, quiz was made open for 1 week i.e. from 25th Feb, threatened, or endangered but also every living 2021 to 3rd March 2021. Around 238 students thing from humans to organisms such as microbes, appeared for the quiz and took the pledge. Digital fungi, and invertebrates. To create interest and certificates were issued for undertaking pledge and awareness in the field of biodiversity, intercollegiate quiz. Poster competition was organized on the topic ‘BIODIVERSITY’ in the month of September 2020. 18 students participated in this activity. Energy swaraj foundation has organized a movement focussed on sensitization about climate change and creating student solar ambassador. This global activity consisted of a webinar as well as competitions on the theme of Climate change. To sensitize students of our institution, we partnered with the organization to facilitate our students to attend the online program. Many dignitaries, namely Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Mrs. Ela Gandhi, Prof. Subhasis Chaudhari, Prof. Chetan Singh Solanki interacted with all participants during the webinar organized on October 2, 2020 for three hours. Twenty one participants from the institutions attended this webinar. Energy Generated by Solar PV

PAGE 55 VIVEK 2020-2021 COLLEGE ACTIVITIES More and more noise is the creation of modern civilization and has now become a major environmental pollutant, specially in urban areas. The most notable effects of noise pollution are on hearing, stress and anxiety, blood pressure and so on. At the higher levels, it may lead to physical and psychological damage. To create awareness and to inculcate discipline amongst the students,Webinar on ‘Effects of Noise Pollution on Human Health’ was held on 10th march 2021 by Mrs Sarita Khanchandani of Hirali Foundation and recipient of Limca Book of records for No Honking Compagin. 110 participants attended this webinar. World water day was observed on 22nd March 2021. A Video on ‘SAVE WATER’ was circulated in different classes on Whats app group. The aim was to sensitize students about need to minimize wastage of water and make optimum use of water in all our day to day activities . A talk on ‘Impacts of our lifestyle on environment’ by Dr. Devidas Gulwade was arranged on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. In his talk he explained impact of growth of plastic waste and electricity usage/production on environment. He discussed the role of solar PV implemented at our institution to boost environment sustainability and also our role and responsibility to mitigate climate change for better environment for our future generation. This was emphasized that 51 participants attended this session. As like every year Mr. Aankeet Gokalgandhi continued the activity of collection of Tetra packs . Though it was lockdown period he collected total 150 Tetra pack cartons and submitted for recycling Purpose.

PAGE 56 VIVEK 2020-2021 COLLEGE ACTIVITIES National Service Scheme National Service Scheme (NSS), was launched in Road Safety Awareness program Gandhi Centenary year, 1969, and aimed at developing student’s personality through plethora of competitions for our volunteers to community service. The overall objective of compete in and exhibit their wit and creativity. An National Service is educational. This objective is online digital poster competition on ‘Road safety attained through the service to the community, to awareness’ was organised on the social media build up a strong and vibrant unit. An enrolment platforms of NSS. drive is conducted where 200 students are admitted into the program. An orientation “I raise up my voice- not so I can shout but so that programme is conducted by the second year those without a voice can be heard...we cannot volunteers who welcome the first year volunteers. succeed when half of us are held back.”― Malala They are briefed about the importance of social Yousafzai. We live in a patriarchal world where work and inform them of the variety of activities individuals do not always get the fair end of the conducted through N.S.S. all year round. stick. We can begin change only when this reality is accepted. This year, the NSS volunteers tried to This year has been different for all of us. We shifted challenge themselves by questioning and changing from classroom sessions onto online sessions where their own preconceived notions about gender. All the distance served to be a detriment in volunteers were encouraged to participate in these experiencing a full classroom experience. But, discussions. Webinars were conducted on problems nonetheless, the NSS volunteers were enthusiastic faced by women and girls, with solutions on how to and spirited to wade through these obstacles and overcome them. Self-defense sessions were held to organise several activities to keep the zeal of their teach the female volunteers on how to protect fellow volunteers burning. They worked with Kotak themselves. A video tribute was created to show Education Foundation in the Govandi- Mankhurd gratitude towards our female covid warriors. The vicinity on the subject of English speaking. A ‘Road International Girl Child Day was celebrated with Safety Awareness’ programme was conducted pomp. Sanitary pads were distributed by the where volunteers not only enlightened masses volunteer in their neighbourhoods, so as to about road safety but also distributed sweets to our destigmatize the shame associated with corona warriors. Later, A “Helmet India Campaign” menstruation and hygiene. A focus was laid on program was organized by ‘TRAX – Road Safety eminent historical figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji Society, India’. The NSS volunteers performed a Maharaj who encouraged women in various facets street play on this theme and also helped in helmet during his administration. distribution. The Mumbai RTO, the Mumbai Traffic Police and BMC supported the NGO for this social cause. A road safety poster drive was held where the volunteers prepared handmade posters and stuck them up locally. An awareness video and a presentation on the same topic were displayed to the students to educate them about the facts, figures, rules and regulations; causes and prevention of road accidents; causes, tips and steps to promote road safety. A quiz was conducted to test their knowledge acquired on the same. There were a

PAGE 57 VIVEK 2020-2021 COLLEGE ACTIVITIES Tree Plantation Activity It is often believed that cleanliness is next to godliness. With the Swaccha Bharat Abhiyan, the Women role models such as Savitribai Jyotirao NSS volunteers got an opportunity to focus their Phule, Mother Teresa, and Panna Dai were also resources on bringing about real-time change in represented. Their courageous stories were their environment. The volunteers educated their narrated to motivate and inspire the volunteers to neighbourhood folks on keeping their environment have faith in their own capacity irrespective of clean, webinars were conducted to create gender. In this exercise, the volunteers decided to awareness, slogan and poster making competitions extend gratitude, specifically towards their female were organised. volunteers in appreciation. A competition of the arts otherwise associated with femininity such as We can stay healthy when our environment is rangoli making, nail art, fruit decoration, Mehendi, healthy. Our environment is a major factor in the and Warli painting was conducted for all the way we feel and express ourselves. The NSS volunteers. With the advent of the novel volunteers initiated understanding on this subject. Coronavirus and much fear and ignorance An awareness video was shown, quizzes were surrounding the subject, volunteers conducted conducted. Competitions such as essay writing, numerous activities to bust the myths and paper bag making, poster making, and best out of encourage everyone to stick to code. Awareness waste were organised. Themes like environmental videos were showcased on topics concerning conservation, fauna of India with an emphasis on Covid-19 itself, dealing with the lockdown isolation tigers, and sustainability were addressed. and stress, staying Covid negative but attitude Students were encouraged to celebrate an eco- positive, and using the Arogya Setu app. Poster friendly and fire-cracker free Diwali in an attempt competitions were held for the same. Volunteers to reduce pollution. Tree plantation drives were distributed fruits, masks, and sanitizers to the held to reduce the carbon footprint of the impoverished at Kurla and Amarmal bridge. neighbourhoods. Poem writing, slogan writing, poster making, and webinars were held for creating Every year, the NSS Unit conducts blood donation awareness about water conservation. drives in association with the Red Ribbon Club (RRC). This time, a webinar was conducted by the Whilst also caring for the environment, the volunteers to create awareness about blood volunteers laid an emphasis on health and hygiene. donation. A quiz on the same was conducted on Yoga Day was celebrated with the collective the birth anniversary of our beloved founding performance of asanas and pranayam. Videos on member, late Shri Hashuji Advani, who firmly topics like the importance of organ donation, believed in extending his service to the society at awareness of mental and physical diseases, oral large. On World AIDS Day, posters were created to health and cancer, and nutrition were displayed. familiarize the students with causes and Poshan Pakhwada was observed by the NSS prevention. A movie on the same was screened volunteers as per the instructions of the Regional online which aimed at generating empathy with director, Ministry of Youth, the infected patients, while viewing them with kindness and compassion. Students of NSS also Food and sanitizer and mask distribution enacted a skit to promote awareness on the topic to the needy people of HIV AIDS. An elocution competition on the topic of sex education was conducted.

PAGE 58 VIVEK 2020-2021 COLLEGE ACTIVITIES and University co-ordinator of the University of Despite the many drawbacks, the NSS volunteers Mumbai. Nutrition was given exceptional emphasis rose to the challenge. They stayed strong and held with the volunteers organizing presentations on each other together. The sense of fraternity and healthy diets, planning your nutrition, benefits of brotherhood of our volunteers rises higher than any Yoga, and many more topics as these were border of the invisible walls within society. The recorded and uploaded on the social media diligence of striving to help society against the odds platforms. A street play on the same was performed is the founding pillar of the NSS. 200 may seem like at Anna Bhau Sathe and Lal Donger while following a small number, but the ripples of change that have precautionary measures. Volunteers displayed their been created within each volunteer have spread far strength in an exercise competition conducted by and wide. The aspiration is for all those whose lives the NSS. Students were also enlightened about NSS has touched, to carry the values at the core veganism and its benefits to the health and the while also dispersing and sharing the joy of helping environment. others. Let NSS be in you, even if you are no longer in NSS. No Plastic bag Awareness Activity Cleaning and Hygiene Awareness Activity

PAGE 59 VIVEK 2020-2021 COLLEGE ACTIVITIES Library This year we were amidst the global pandemic of E-SHODHYATRA COVID-19 and therefore faced physical closure of our library. Nevertheless, learning had to continue and so 4. Online Annual Book Review Competition: The 9th did our activities in a new way to cater to the needs of Annual Book review competition was held online this our users. year with the final interactive round being conducted on 22nd March 2021. 15 students were shortlisted in 1.To connect to our users, we made our library the English group after the submission of videos and webpage more informative and also made it as a 4 students were shortlisted in Marathi . (List of Prize contact platform for student community. winners attached) 2.E-Book collection and Remote Access: We built up Training Programmes: our e-book collection and made it remotely a) Librarian Delivered a Session on Research Report accessible through Open-Source software Writing using Technology at the Digital Skills Shibboleth. Our users therefore had access to our Workshop Organised by G.N Khalsa College under e-books and our e-journal collections. the aegis of RUSA on 28th January 2021. (https://idpvesasc.ves.ac.in/). Online Orientation and Information Literacy Programmes were b) Librarian attended several online training organised by the library to acquaint students with programs conducted by reputed organisations like various electronic and Open source resources INFLIBNET, Clarivate Analytics and several educational institutes 3.Webinars/Training Programs hosted : A 7-Day Capacity Building Programme titled e-Shodhyatra: c) Librarian received Scholarship (Fee Waiver) to Emerging Trends and Technologies for Scholarly Attended course on Global Overview of the Scholarly Communication jointly organized with ICT Publishing Landscape: Differences Between the Mumbai and supported by TEQIP-III under North and the South and Possible Consequences of twinning Programme)The idea behind Plan S from 3rd August 2020 to 13th August 2020 conceptualizing this capacity building programme is to provide an exposure to the researchers about In spite of the challenges, the year ended on positive the emerging technology and tools to support note for being embark the journey to digital research. This programme would guide the education world serve our users. We look forward to researchers in their research process, their enhance our collection and services to try and meet ‘Shodhyatra’, to empower & equip them with those the requirements of our academic fraternity. several choices, so that they choose the right alternative. This was a 30 hr programme along with 2 evaluative tests. 177 participants were awarded the certificates.(172 Course completion +5 Only attendance).Details of entire event can be found on the event website This programme was the third webinar jointly organised with ICT after the onset of the global pandemic, the first one being on Copyright Concerns for Online Education on 15th July 2020 and the second a 4-day National level webinar on Rethinking and Recreating the Academic Library: Lessons from the Pandemic from 22rd July 2020 to 25th July 2020.

PAGE 60 VIVEK 2020-2021 COLLEGE ACTIVITIES Women Development Cell The best thermometer to the progress of a nation is its treatment of its women. Swami Vivekananda Women Development Cell stands with the aim to build As an effort to strengthen student’s creativity, WDC a gender sensitive campus and empower the girl organized logo designing competition where in students of our institution. house students participated by making a digital logo for WDC focusing on its objectives in the The year came with a deep shock to our society with month of August. Winners were given certificates. COVID-19 pandemic hitting people across socioeconomic class equally. In times of crisis, women Violence against women during COVID-19 is seemed to be targeted more often to violence and discussed widely as the shadow pandemic .Sexual abuse equally in public spaces and online platforms harassment and other forms of violence against .WDC primarily aimed this year to empowering girl women continue to happen in spaces unexpected. students to face this crisis conscientiously. Survivors often seem to have incomplete information and awareness about available services. With the academic year starting with online lectures, Many have limited or no access to support services. Internet became highway for information resources and WDC in collaboration with IC organized an services which took a large portion of every ones day to awareness program on “Prevention of Sexual day activity. This also became the only path way for Harassment at Higher Educational Institutions”. socialization and mode of social interaction. The Event was organized virtually using stream yard importance of staying safe online seemed to be our platform on Wednesday 31 March 2021. The priority. Thus the first event was organized by WDC in convener of WDC, Dr. Radhika Mohan was the collaboration with Responsible Netism – “Digital Stree speaker and explained the different types of sexual Shakti – A guide to online safety and digital harassment and how to cope up with the situation. empowerment of young girls and women”. This programme has been acknowledged by the Empowered women can rise above the storm to see the Maharashtra State Commission for Women with the sunshine. aim of promoting digital literacy and cyber safety amongst girls and women across the state. On 1st of july 2020 this 2 hrs 45 min programme was made available live for girl students across streams of our college. The team from Responsible Netizm addressed the students. This online event aimed to promote online safety and protect students from cyber threats and crimes. Thus every girl is empowered and protected online ensuring a cyber safe community. As an effort to strengthen student’s creativity, WDC organized logo designing competition where in house students participated by making a digital logo for WDC focusing on its objectives in the month of August. Winners were given certificates.

PAGE 61 VIVEK 2020-2021 COLLEGE ACTIVITIES Life-Long Learning and Extension “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” - Mahatma Gandhi The department was started in 2009 with the The students of CP program were third year students objective to sensitize the students to the socio- and it was apt that they would work on different cultural realities. The Department offers for the avenues and careers. The students selected different students, extension work projects encompassing to careers and collected information about them. The facilitate the sensitization of the social issues. The information collected was with respect to knowledge department of Lifelong Learning and Extension about the career, courses needed to be done and (DLLE) works in accordance with the guidelines institutes offering them and also work profile and provided by the University of Mumbai. On placement opportunities in the selected career. successful completion of the program the students Based on this information the students made digital are eligible to 10 grace marks in the even semesters. posters and brochures. An interview was conducted by the students with the relevant professionals in The pandemic made a great impact on the that field. The collected information was deciphered activities of Lifelong Learning and Extension. But to their batchmates and lower classes via google the University gave guidelines to the committee for meet sessions which were conducted in the month conducting all the activities in the virtual mode. of April 2021. The DLLE thus conducted all the activities in the online mode for the benefit of all the students. The students who selected PEC were the second-year students. They chose a core area and a social Since all the activities were going to be conducted problem to create awareness amongst the online, the department conducted a session in July population. The core area was the subject in which 2020 on How to get acquainted with the G suite the students had expertise. Hence topics like disease and the resource person for this session was Ms. awareness, antibiotic resistance challenges, Bhavya Ahuja., Assistant Professor in Department of Insurance, Cybercrime, digital marketing were Computer Science, Ramanujan College (University selected so that the science and non- science of Delhi). students would be benefitted. Topics like organ donation, health management, addiction and The process began with enrollment and this year women empowerment were chosen as social the DLLE program saw a steep fall in the enrolment problems to create awareness in the population. The of the number of students as compared to the PEC students attended many sessions which earlier years. The reason undoubtedly was the sensitized them to various social problems. pandemic since the orientation and enrollment was done online. The total number of students They began with attending a session on Your Health enrolled were 282 which comprised of 177 students is in your Hands & Benefits of Sujyog Therapy by Ms. for Career Project (CP) and 105 students for SJT. Vidya Naik, Council Member, Maharashtra Population Education Club (PEC). Six teacher Council of Acupuncture. The session gave an insight coordinators carried out the monitoring of all the on the need of managing health during this activities of the department and which accounted pandemic period. Certain health exercises were for 120 hours of student activities as given by the shown to the participants to live a healthier life. guidelines in the virtual mode. On the 5th Feb. 2021, a Webinar on Consumerism and The CP program activities began with a Financial Literacy in Covid 19 Times in collaboration motivational talk conducted in two sessions (2nd with Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI) and and 11th Feb.2021) by Ms. Piya Muhkerjee, Founder- the Guest Speakers were Jamna Varadhachary & Dr. Director – VES Leadership Academy and Research Hardeep Kaur. The session created awareness of their Centre, VESLARC. The session was on How to basic rights as the consumers during this pandemic change your habits. The session focused on the situation. Dr Hardeep Kaur highlighted the discipline we need to have in our life for each and significance of smart investments and suggested every work. It also explained how to keep patience various smart options for the investments like mutual and keep trying to change any habit. funds, equity and SIP.

PAGE 62 VIVEK 2020-2021 COLLEGE ACTIVITIES Some students had selected organ donation as their An awareness session was conducted on topic for creating awareness. On the 8th Feb. 2021, Right to information by Adv. Bijal Kantilal Ms. Simran Thakur Junior Research officer at Gogri, Junior Associate at Regius LLP Legal - national Burns center, Airoli conducted the session Kiran Jain & Co office located at Queens on skin and eye donation. The session gave an Mansion- Fort on 27th March 2021. insight on the need for skin and eye donation and The Biotechnology students conducted a sensitized the students to this. The procedure was session on Antibiotic apocalypse (5th April also explained to the students. On the same lines a 2021) which was conducted with the session was conducted on 13th March 2021 on the objective of making the population aware of importance of marrow donation and the dire need the ill effects of rampant use of antibiotics. for stem cell donors. The speaker was Dr. Praveen The Commerce stream students conducted Clement, Transplant Centre Coordinator, Marrow an awareness session on Digital Financial Donor Registry India. The students were explained Products on 9th April 2021.They explained the about the importance of stem cell donation, different modes of online transactions and procedure involved and need for stem cell and their benefits. Similar sessions were marrow donation in India. conducted by the Microbiology students on Disease awareness and the types of insurance The department in association with WACA (Women by the Insurance and Banking students, against Cyber Abuse, NGO) organized a webinar on cybercrime by Information Technology Victimization of Women Beneath Cyberspace in students, etc. in the month of May. Indian Upbringing. The Speaker of the session is Ms. Vibha Singh Senior Journalist, Professor, Social Worker & Director WACA session was conducted on 1st March 2021. Forum Activities Learning is more than just paper, pencil and books. - Anonymous As the whole world, including our college were The first term was lost in the struggle to make online moving towards digitized form of learning, teaching learning possible, but we picked up the quietly taking a backseat were those activities threads by term two. which actually attract students to campuses: The extra- curricular activities. The forum committee created a forum classroom and Our college had this unique tradition of an hour circulated google forms for registration in each and a week devoted to cultural activities to hone the every class through class whatsapp groups. wonderful talents of our students and give them A total of 119 students enrolled for different activities a suitable platform to compete and outshine from different streams. Students were given an entire their own expectations. The Pendemic shut week’s time to upload their videos performing the people in their homes and social distancing activity. The forum panel selected the best made group activities impossible. performers and recognized their effort by In these trying times, it was important to remind announcing it in the said google classroom. all students that one sure way to keep optimism and positivity flowing and continue to seek inner “ The best education is not given to happiness is to keep their passion alive. Todo just students, its drawn out of them”- that, it was important that we revive our forum activities platform for students. Gerald Belchar.

PAGE 63 VIVEK 2020-2021 COLLEGE ACTIVITIES Value Lab The value of College education is not the learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think. - Albert Einstein Values are guiding principles that shape our world Value Lab in association with Heartfulness outlook, attitudes, and conduct. Value-based education Education Trust, organized a 3-day online webinar aims at training students to face the outside world with on “Introductory Practices on Heartfulness the right attitude and value. During the unprecedented meditation”. The speaker covered various areas of times of this pandemic, we at VES College got concern like coping with stress along with varied accustomed to a new personal and professional lifestyle aspects of meditation practices. The main objective through various activities, with a view to instill among was to integrate simple tools of meditation into our young students the art of living with values. daily lives, especially during these dire times when we are constantly barraged with the news of Covid- 19. It was a common practice throughout this year to To commemorate the birthday of Swami encourage students to make digital posters on various Vivekananda on the 12 th of January, an online quiz values. We also commemorated important days and was organized on the works of Swami Vivekananda. events. The quiz was based on the book “Swami Vivekananda- A Biography” by Swami Niklilananda. On 21 st June 2020, International Yoga Day, a video was The purpose was to highlight the values Swamiji created by Value Lab and circulated among various depicts in various speeches around the world and student WhatsApp groups to create awareness regarding make everyone aware of the assimilation of life and yoga, meditation, and physical health. Value Lab observed character. We believe these activities enriched our 17 th July 2020, as ‘World Day of Social Justice’. To mark future nation builders, that is, our students, on how this day, we encouraged students to make digital posters to overcome their fears, inhibitions, to always stand on the theme of ‘2020- Closing the inequality gap to for the truth and be courageous. achieve social justice’. Once again, a video was made and circulated among various student WhatsApp groups. A session was conducted on “Universal Human Rights”, to instill among the participants, values such as understanding, patience, help, respect, gratitude, and harmony. This was held on 24 th and 25 th July. Rangoli by Pot Painting by Rajeshwari Sakshi Awadhut Yadavar

PAGE 64 VIVEK 2020-2021 COLLEGE ACTIVITIES Student Council This year was different and there were We feel sorry for those who lost their loved ones in unprecedented circumstances but the students’ this pandemic and we are extremely proud of council adopted the new approach of conducting those who worked hard and achieved their goals. events and activities online. It was a great We also want to thank all the frontline workers for experience to connect with the students and keeping us safe. members through online platforms like Google Meet and Zoom. All the members actively Though the Students’ Council for this year was not participated in knowing their team members and formally constituted, the following members from juniors. Students’ Council 2019-2020 contributed towards the conduct of various council activities this year : ‘Life in Lockdown’ competition was conducted during the vacation to actively engage the students Divyalakshmi Belchada - TY BSc CS in these difficult times and help them to look at the Nimisha Jatolia - TY BAF positive side of the lockdown. The students’ council Saigita Goklani - TY BMS made a video to guide students during the online Navya Poojary - TY BSc BT admission process. This year, Independence Day Maheshwar Ujagare - TY BCom was celebrated live on Youtube. The live event Madhumita Kumar - TY BSc IT included the national anthem, patriotic dance, Nausheen Parkar - TY BSc CS song, speech, mono-act, etc. performed by students Kirti Mohanani - TY BMM of various communities from our college like the Dipanuta Behra - TY BSc Marathi vangmay mandal, NSS, Music Club, and Robinson Roy- SY BFM Students’ Council. The students’ council also Saumya Rao - SYBA conducted an essay and poem writing competition Rachita Tardeja - SYBAF on that day. The first year students were warmly Shaistabanu Riaz - SYBAF welcomed through an Open Mic session conducted Shrey Saraki - SY Bsc IT live on youtube which had an amazing Bhavesh Bodke - SY BSc CS participation of more than 30 students. The Ketaki Goraksha - SY BMS purpose of the event was to welcome the freshers Sejal Gagwani- SY BBI and encourage participation among them. On Rahul Pritmani - SY BMM National Youth Day, the plantation drive was Gayatri Kulkarni- SY BSc BT conducted by council members. In this, every council member planted a sapling and uploaded the photos on social media to encourage planting of trees. This year we also started a podcast series, “The GenZ Talk Show” on Youtube and Spotify. Students from different departments volunteered to conduct the series. The purpose of the podcast series was to engage students in a discussion of current affairs and general topics. Many students found it very engaging and knowledgeable. We also made posters of ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’ in lockdown and promoted the idea of celebrating eco-friendly Diwali.

PAGE 65 VIVEK 2020-2021 COLLEGE ACTIVITIES Sindhi Circle The Objective of Sindhi Circle is to promote the Sindhi Dhamaal language and to continue motivating the young generation in order to preserve the Sindhi Mrs.Nisha Khithani, Mrs.Harsha Chugh and Language and the Sindhi Culture. Mrs.Sunita Malhotra are teaching these courses in our college. The Sindhi Certificate Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses are conducted in coordination Achievements by our Students : with the National Council for Promotion of Sindhi Language ( NCPSL ). Each course contains 1.This year one of our FYBMS student 100 Hrs. of educational training and written exam Ms.Tammana Chhablani , took part in the of 100,150 & 200 Marks. Lectures were conducted ALL India essay writing contest ,Topic was every Thursday and Saturday starting from 12th Sindhi Culture and its Importance, November 2020 online via Zoom platform till Organised by Jai Hind College. February 2021. This year we had a total of 158 students out of which 131 enrolled for diploma, 2.Ms. Preeti Suresh Godhia from TYBAF twenty seven enrolled for certificates. Exams performed Sindhi Chejj & Tribute Group were held in the month of February 2021. Dance on 12th Aug 2020 at a Virtual Sindhi Cultural Programme “Sindhi Dhammal'' The following are the description of the above- Organised by “Sindhi Yuva Rangmanch. Our mentioned courses: teachers Mrs Varsha Ahuja, Dr Ritika Makhijani trained her to perfection. In Certificate Course we teach students alphabets, word formation, small stories and 3.Mr Mohit Shyamlal Karira” our alumni of lessons etc. VES College of Arts, Science & Commerce In Diploma Course we teach students lessons, from BMM Department got Star Award of poetry, basic grammar, essay & letter writing the year 2020-21 on the eve of Chetichand etc. Utsav held online by “Sindhu Youth Circle, In Advance Diploma Course we teach them Ulhasnagar” advance versions of the language, adverbs, proverbs, speech, dialogue writing and It’s proud to say that Mr. Mohit has done six advanced grammar etc. Sindhi Films, more than 50 stage shows & Organised two Grand Level Stage Programmes Sindhi logo & 46 Virtual Programmes.

PAGE 66 VIVEK 2020-2021 COLLEGE ACTIVITIES मराठ वा य मंडळ “ मराठ असे आमुची मायबोली, जरी भ धमानुयायी असंू ... ”-माधव जू लयन तवष ववेकानदं श ण सं े या कला, वा ण य आ ण शा महा व ालयातील मराठ वा य मंडळा या वतीने अनके काय म आयो जत के ले जातात.शै णक वष २०२०-२१ म ये कोरोना महामारी या पा भूमीवर मराठ वा य मडं ळाने ऑनलाइन प तीने काय म आयो जत के ले. या वष मडं ळाने “गु पौ णमा” आ ण “लोकमा य टळकां या ज मशता द च”े ऑनलाइन प तीने सादरीकरण के ल.े सदर काय मात महा व ालयातील व ाथ - व ा थनी, ा यापक वग उप त होत.े दनाकं २७-०२-२०२१,श नवार पारी ०१:०० वाजता “मराठ राजभाषा दवस” ऑनलाइन प तीने साजरा कर यात आला. या वष \"मराठ सा ह यातील वनोद\" या वषयावर काय म सादर के ल.े सदर काय मात महा व ालयातील वदयाथ - व ा थन नी नाटक, क वता इ याद सादरीकरण के ल.े दशा नाईक , याकं ा साळवे , पूजा क व कर ,माधुरी देसाई इ याद कलाकारांनी “शाळा” हे नाटक सादर के ल.े ा यापक ी कमलाकर भोपटकर ल खत \" श णस ाट\" हा एकपा ी ना वेश ववके वारभुवन या व ा याने सादर के ला. ये कवी ी अशोक नायगावकर यांची \"शाकाहारी\" ही क वता ा या पका अ नी गोळे यानं ी सादर के ली. संपणू काय म यु ूब या मा यमातून सवाना उपल के ला गले ा. वशेष उ लेखनीय बाब हणजे \"आगाज \"A Writer Journey Flairs and Glairs” का शत पु तकाम ये ववके वारभवु न या व ा याने सहलखे क हणनू काय के ले आह.े (ISBN: 978-93- 90416-32-5 1st Edition.) दनाकं १४ ए ल २०२१ रोजी भारतर न डॉ. बाबासाहेब आंबेडकर यां या जयतं ी या न म ाने महा व ालयातील मराठ वा य मंडळाने नबंध धा आयो जत के ली होती. सदर धक रता व ा याचा भरघोस तसाद लाभला. सदर धम ये मराठ भाषते ून नबधं ास थम माकं ववके मधकु र वारभवु न, तीय माकं इशरतबानू र हमान पटेल तर इं जी भाषते नू नबंधास थम माकं नीरज यादव , तीय माकं वषा झा आ ण जाधव सा हल म लद यानं ी पटकावला.