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I was heading Project Dhara an initiative by Enactus Jesus and Mary College. I was a member of the project in my first year and in my second year became the project head. It is a social entrepreneurship society which strives to make a difference in this world. Under Project Dhara, we produce 100% organic and vermicomposting manure.
My role included managing the team and the women we employed from the slum for the production of manure. We had to keep a record of the sales and maintain the accounts related to the project. Since it is a social entrepreneurship society, all the sale proceeds are distributed amongst the target audience. We are currently working at 4 locations, each location generates its own profit and sells under the common brand name Dhara. We have a faculty advisor to whom we have to report relating to the working of the project, the shortcomings we are facing and getting our accounts verified.
2. How did you rise up to your position and how can a student aspiring the same, approach it?
I came across this society in the society fair which is held in our college at the beginning of the year. I always knew I wanted to help those who are not as privileged as I am. When I got to know about this I knew this was the only way I could do it. I joined it and worked extensively as a member. I looked over the operations as well as the sales of the project. I learnt how the project works and what were the ways we can take it forward. From day one, I wanted to head this project and take it even on greater heights.
You need to know where your interest lies in. Once you figure that out, just give it your shot. You will have to work extensively and with your whole heart. Learn new things about it every day and make plans which will prove beneficial to your project.
3. What's it like to juggle between a leadership role and normal college life?
It is really difficult, to be honest. You will have to miss numerous classes, stay back in college for the preparation of various events, going for field visits. But it’s all worth it. You learn so many new things every day. Apart from the normal college life, you need to opt for these things to learn various other aspects of life.
4. What have been some of your biggest challenges and learnings from what you do?
There are numerous challenges that come in your way once you start taking risks. But with every challenge there comes learning, so take it as a lesson and remember it always. Since it’s a student-run society, we don’t get the required recognition. When we were planning to start a new location, we couldn’t find the required target audience.
They thought us as some students and really believed what we said. So it came as a challenge in front of us and we needed to deal with it. When it’s monsoon time we cannot produce manure because rainwater harms the manure. We have a temporary shed built over the pits but it cannot hold the water. So we have now started collecting the required funds to build the permanent shed.
5. Do you have a message for parents to allow their kids to do things besides academics?
It’s very important to do things besides academics. They help to become more confident and you tend to learn so many things which can’t be taught. It has helped me evolved as a person. I now know how to convince people to buy a product, convince the target audience to work with us, maintain the accounts of a project, etc. There is so much to learn and even prepares you for greater opportunities ahead.
Interview by - Ananya Gosain
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