Friday, October 30, 2009
School Team Updates
Radius School Initiative: The Way Forward
The Radius: School Committee of LIBA stands for innovation, creativity and passion. The committee has realized the need of leaders in our country and not just the race-winning rats for the rat race. Therefore it has brought the likeminded people together for improving the education system in corporation schools.
From its inception to the present day, the school committee has grown, from being a loosely formed group with tender objectives to a team with clearly laid out goals. The committee aims to reach at least 150 students by the end of the year and help them realize the importance of education in their lives.
Our committee has currently spotted a school Sarvodaya School, Chennai where less privileged children study with minimal facilities. We initially thought of teaching students various subjects however we soon realized that it might not be very useful to them. Since the most important thing that these children lack is motivation. If we succeed in motivating them then the children will manage the rest on their own.
Therefore our committee has come up with an objective to motivate them by developing their personalities and inculcating leadership skills in them at a tender age. To achieve this we are developing 5 modules , each module targets a particular quality of an ideal leader.
The first module aims at building self confidence in children so that they start believing in themselves through which we can target the general sense of helplessness that is found in the less-privileged children. The next module aims at building self-respect in children and also teaching them the importance of respecting others. The third module is on Team building so as to help children form teams and work in teams effectively. The fourth module will concentrate on developing children’s skill to view a problem as a set of goals and sub-goals. We believe that this module will help children in gaining clarity in their personal life’s goals which in-turn will motivate them to pursue their education. The last module focuses on sensitizing children to the social problems troubling society in general. It includes issues like HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, sexual harassment and forced child labour. Also there are few general issues like corruption, dowry, pollution etc. This module should help our children in gaining an insight in to the social problems. They should be able to protect themselves and their siblings from these problems.
We further hope that the children take these issues in hands and fight for them when they enter the world as adults. We believe that these modules will help them realize the importance of education and motivate them to continue their education even under hardships. However we feel that these modules are futile unless we can measure the success we achieve at each stage. Therefore we have also planned to come up with a measuring method through which we can evaluate the usefulness of our strategy.
We currently are in the final stage of developing these modules and measuring instrument and we hope to implement it, right from this month by visiting the school regularly. We at the School Committee believe that as a growing nation it is our children who hold the key to the success of our country. If they are nurtured with care today then they will bring accolades for our nation tomorrow. Therefore we at Radius- School Committee are committed to the cause of aspiring these children for a better tomorrow
The Radius: School Committee of LIBA stands for innovation, creativity and passion. The committee has realized the need of leaders in our country and not just the race-winning rats for the rat race. Therefore it has brought the likeminded people together for improving the education system in corporation schools.
From its inception to the present day, the school committee has grown, from being a loosely formed group with tender objectives to a team with clearly laid out goals. The committee aims to reach at least 150 students by the end of the year and help them realize the importance of education in their lives.
Our committee has currently spotted a school Sarvodaya School, Chennai where less privileged children study with minimal facilities. We initially thought of teaching students various subjects however we soon realized that it might not be very useful to them. Since the most important thing that these children lack is motivation. If we succeed in motivating them then the children will manage the rest on their own.
Therefore our committee has come up with an objective to motivate them by developing their personalities and inculcating leadership skills in them at a tender age. To achieve this we are developing 5 modules , each module targets a particular quality of an ideal leader.
The first module aims at building self confidence in children so that they start believing in themselves through which we can target the general sense of helplessness that is found in the less-privileged children. The next module aims at building self-respect in children and also teaching them the importance of respecting others. The third module is on Team building so as to help children form teams and work in teams effectively. The fourth module will concentrate on developing children’s skill to view a problem as a set of goals and sub-goals. We believe that this module will help children in gaining clarity in their personal life’s goals which in-turn will motivate them to pursue their education. The last module focuses on sensitizing children to the social problems troubling society in general. It includes issues like HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, sexual harassment and forced child labour. Also there are few general issues like corruption, dowry, pollution etc. This module should help our children in gaining an insight in to the social problems. They should be able to protect themselves and their siblings from these problems.
We further hope that the children take these issues in hands and fight for them when they enter the world as adults. We believe that these modules will help them realize the importance of education and motivate them to continue their education even under hardships. However we feel that these modules are futile unless we can measure the success we achieve at each stage. Therefore we have also planned to come up with a measuring method through which we can evaluate the usefulness of our strategy.
We currently are in the final stage of developing these modules and measuring instrument and we hope to implement it, right from this month by visiting the school regularly. We at the School Committee believe that as a growing nation it is our children who hold the key to the success of our country. If they are nurtured with care today then they will bring accolades for our nation tomorrow. Therefore we at Radius- School Committee are committed to the cause of aspiring these children for a better tomorrow
On campus Updates
JOG week preparations took over the on campus team from the end of the term exams. But still, the green initiative teams grew in the midst of all the preparations for the Joy of Giving Week. Tree plantation and the Solid waste development found a place for their birth in the JOG week.
For the tree plantation drive, a total of 80 saplings were bought at a total price of Rs 2800, 40 being Rain Forests trees, and 40 being Neem trees (due to the popularity of our small flying friends). Tree plantation was conducted on the 30th Sept and 2nd Oct 2009. A total of 45 saplings were planted- thanks to the effort of many LIBAities. In fact, many students have adopted most of the saplings planted. The rest of the saplings didn’t get their chance at being planted due to many small reasons burgeoning into a large one – lack of clear communication. So there will be a last (hopefully) tree plantation drive on the 20th Oct 2009 to finish this program. Let us join together and give the trees a home. Who knows, maybe the third time will be the lucky charm.
The Tree plantation drive also initiated the “Adopt a Tree “campaign, informally. It is a variant of the proverb “Little drops of Water make a mighty Ocean”. All you have to do, when you sign up, is to water the sapling that you have “adopted” twice a day. Once while coming to class, and the other while going back. Is it so difficult?? No way. On the other hand, think of the plus points... After 5-10 years, you could come back and show proudly “This is the Tree I have planted”, and maybe in that future, the only trees standing will be ones you planted. So, be on the look out for the “Adopt a Tree” campaign.
The solid waste program started on the 28th Sept 2009 with the newspaper collection drive and the clothes donation drive. This drive was continued throughout the week thanks to the enthusiastic response from the LIBAities. The newspaper collection, at the end of the week, yielded Rs 1000, and the clothes donated made a lot of people at the Goonj happy. Let’s keep up the good response. To make most of this enthusiasm, there will be a newspaper drive every month. Please be on the lookout for it and participate whole heartedly, for a newspaper free room (in your case) and a sustainable effort (on our part).
The last team of the green initiative is the energy efficient LIBA drive. The main objective of this drive is to reduce the power consumption of LIBA. We are in our first phase, which involves the analysis of the consumption patterns for the LIBA buildings. This phase will continue till the 14th of October2009.
Disclaimer: Radius is a LIBA initiative. The Radius members are only the facilitators to make the change in society easier. We are here to make your suggestions and ideas into reality. Please join hands with us and help us make the change quicker.
For the tree plantation drive, a total of 80 saplings were bought at a total price of Rs 2800, 40 being Rain Forests trees, and 40 being Neem trees (due to the popularity of our small flying friends). Tree plantation was conducted on the 30th Sept and 2nd Oct 2009. A total of 45 saplings were planted- thanks to the effort of many LIBAities. In fact, many students have adopted most of the saplings planted. The rest of the saplings didn’t get their chance at being planted due to many small reasons burgeoning into a large one – lack of clear communication. So there will be a last (hopefully) tree plantation drive on the 20th Oct 2009 to finish this program. Let us join together and give the trees a home. Who knows, maybe the third time will be the lucky charm.
The Tree plantation drive also initiated the “Adopt a Tree “campaign, informally. It is a variant of the proverb “Little drops of Water make a mighty Ocean”. All you have to do, when you sign up, is to water the sapling that you have “adopted” twice a day. Once while coming to class, and the other while going back. Is it so difficult?? No way. On the other hand, think of the plus points... After 5-10 years, you could come back and show proudly “This is the Tree I have planted”, and maybe in that future, the only trees standing will be ones you planted. So, be on the look out for the “Adopt a Tree” campaign.
The solid waste program started on the 28th Sept 2009 with the newspaper collection drive and the clothes donation drive. This drive was continued throughout the week thanks to the enthusiastic response from the LIBAities. The newspaper collection, at the end of the week, yielded Rs 1000, and the clothes donated made a lot of people at the Goonj happy. Let’s keep up the good response. To make most of this enthusiasm, there will be a newspaper drive every month. Please be on the lookout for it and participate whole heartedly, for a newspaper free room (in your case) and a sustainable effort (on our part).
The last team of the green initiative is the energy efficient LIBA drive. The main objective of this drive is to reduce the power consumption of LIBA. We are in our first phase, which involves the analysis of the consumption patterns for the LIBA buildings. This phase will continue till the 14th of October2009.
Disclaimer: Radius is a LIBA initiative. The Radius members are only the facilitators to make the change in society easier. We are here to make your suggestions and ideas into reality. Please join hands with us and help us make the change quicker.
Social Entrepreneurship Series – No. 2
Wow!! What a wonderful celebrations we had during Joy of Giving (JOG) Week! I was inspired and motivated by the activities of LIBA Radius in taking such initiatives. One of the best things to me is that LIBA Entrepreneurship Cell (E – Cell) was able to be a part of JOG week by organising a Conference on Social Entrepreneurship on the theme we “mean” Business – Emerging Social Entrepreneurs of the 21st Century, for LIBA Radius during JOG week. Hope the conference enlightened the minds of the students with Ashoka fellows, Mr. Sriram Ayer (Nalanda Way) and Mr. Illango Rangaswamy (TVSG) sharing their experience after the theme introduction by Fr. Joe Arun SJ, professor of Social Entrepreneurship at various institutes across the globe including LIBA.
Coming to our series, let us clearly understand who Social Entrepreneurs are. There is no clear definition for the term Social Entrepreneur, though the term was first created and defined as “men and women with system changing solutions for the world’s most urgent social problems” by Bill Drayton, founder of Ashoka, an organization that strives to create a global, entrepreneurial, competitive citizen sector. Different people interpret the term in different ways. Literally speaking, Entrepreneur means one who sets up a business and Social means something related to society, which put together means as a business set up basically for the betterment of the society. This can raise a question whether social entrepreneurship help in generating profits and how it is different from a normal NGO? To be precise, positive social change is the main motive of social entrepreneurship rather than profits. But the possibility of social entrepreneurship resulting in profits cannot be ruled out.
It is very interesting to learn that the number of social entrepreneurs is on the raise year on year. In a materialistic world that runs towards profits, we have people who have made positive social change as their prime motive in their life. What an amazing job they are doing! What triggered them to do so? Why should they do it? What pleasure do they derive from it? Do all these questions have answers? What LIBA Radius, which has promoting social entrepreneurship as one of the missions, can do worthwhile in promoting social entrepreneurship? Watch out this space for more. Let us explore the world of Social Entrepreneurship to the core!
Keep your feedbacks posting. Let us together make this column a meaningful one. Have fun. Wish you all a meaningful and colourful Deepavali wishes! Let the festival of Lights add more light to our lives.
- Boniface P.
The writer is the secretary of LIBA Entrepreneurship Cell (E – Cell) and can be reached at
+91 9884342050 and boniface_p@liba.edu
Coming to our series, let us clearly understand who Social Entrepreneurs are. There is no clear definition for the term Social Entrepreneur, though the term was first created and defined as “men and women with system changing solutions for the world’s most urgent social problems” by Bill Drayton, founder of Ashoka, an organization that strives to create a global, entrepreneurial, competitive citizen sector. Different people interpret the term in different ways. Literally speaking, Entrepreneur means one who sets up a business and Social means something related to society, which put together means as a business set up basically for the betterment of the society. This can raise a question whether social entrepreneurship help in generating profits and how it is different from a normal NGO? To be precise, positive social change is the main motive of social entrepreneurship rather than profits. But the possibility of social entrepreneurship resulting in profits cannot be ruled out.
It is very interesting to learn that the number of social entrepreneurs is on the raise year on year. In a materialistic world that runs towards profits, we have people who have made positive social change as their prime motive in their life. What an amazing job they are doing! What triggered them to do so? Why should they do it? What pleasure do they derive from it? Do all these questions have answers? What LIBA Radius, which has promoting social entrepreneurship as one of the missions, can do worthwhile in promoting social entrepreneurship? Watch out this space for more. Let us explore the world of Social Entrepreneurship to the core!
Keep your feedbacks posting. Let us together make this column a meaningful one. Have fun. Wish you all a meaningful and colourful Deepavali wishes! Let the festival of Lights add more light to our lives.
- Boniface P.
The writer is the secretary of LIBA Entrepreneurship Cell (E – Cell) and can be reached at
+91 9884342050 and boniface_p@liba.edu
Radius Think Tank
This has been a remarkable month for LIBA Radius. Even a journey of thousand miles begins with one step. LIBA Radius has taken up several new initiatives during the Joy of Giving Week celebrated in the campus. The event was a grand success not just because of the LIBA Radius members but also because of the passion shown by every LIBAite towards a social cause. I thank LIBA E - Cell and 360 degrees for their support in making this event a grand success. Certainly we have taken the right step towards a social change.
The much awaited “Radius Think Tank” has been launched. They have started working on real life case studies from Self help Groups and have started helping them in building a sustainable business model. Soon they themselves will start writing case studies about real life problems in the society with the help of faculty members and the future managers will come together to find a solution for these social problems.
We have taken several new initiatives in the last few months. Now it is for our team to carry this momentum forward by sincerely working on the initiatives which we have taken up. Together we can..
I wish each and every one a Happy Diwali. Let the festival of lights bring joy and prosperity.
Fredline S, Secretary, LIBA Radius
The much awaited “Radius Think Tank” has been launched. They have started working on real life case studies from Self help Groups and have started helping them in building a sustainable business model. Soon they themselves will start writing case studies about real life problems in the society with the help of faculty members and the future managers will come together to find a solution for these social problems.
We have taken several new initiatives in the last few months. Now it is for our team to carry this momentum forward by sincerely working on the initiatives which we have taken up. Together we can..
I wish each and every one a Happy Diwali. Let the festival of lights bring joy and prosperity.
Fredline S, Secretary, LIBA Radius
Binyaa..
She is young. She is no more than 5 years. The red ribbon in her hair is hanging lose. Her fingers are gripping the heavy water pot tightly. The yellow flowers are swaying in the wind. Her dreamy eyes are gazing the flowers.
A child is coming back from school. Her glance changes direction: the uniform, the water bottle, the school bag, the polished shoes. A voice from behind calls out, ‘Binya, Binyaa ..’ The eyes become restless. The fingers clutch the pot more firmly. The feet move slowly to the nearby colony. The sound of the silver anklet in Binya’s feet fades away.
I sit inside the auto rickshaw. I await the traffic signal to turn green. I look at the yellow flowers, and occasionally at Binya.
I go to the college, LIBA. I look into the faces of my fellow class mates. Our background is different. We speak different languages. We call our God with different names. Yet we pray together. We feel the sorrow together when Binya passes by.
Our campus is large, green, and open. The buildings are tall and strong. We thrive to become taller than the trees and stronger than the buildings in our lives. We thrive towards success. But we define success in our own terms. There are many Binya’s around our campus. The city around us is brown and grey. Binya feels helpless in the city where nobody stops to look at the yellow flowers, to help Binya wear a school uniform and to attend school.
We care. We stop to see and to our surprise, many like us stop to see. We feel happy. We feel we are privileged to be a part of the civilization as we grow with time. We earn degree, respect, money and motivation. We feel we are responsible to bring forward the ones who are lagging behind.
So I get down from auto and hold Binya’s hand to lead her to a brighter day when she will be able to make her existence useful as a human resource, to her colony, to her family and to our civilization.
Here, in LIBA, we stand together as an entity, sensible and practical, responsible and capable. We stand to take the oath that we will magnify the resources by reaching out. When we came to LIBA we were vaguely ambitious, focussed and vigorous. From here the journey has started to enrich ourselves, to make us look beyond what is seen, to be sensible towards our counterparts who can not even attend a school. Today, we have given it a shape in form of ‘Radius’. We believe all of us, attached to LIBA in whichever way, feel proud to represent Radius. We are not a club or a group of people for a cause. It is not ‘U’ or ‘Me’, its ‘WE’. We stand together, all the students, faculty members, staffs to support any initiative of Radius. It is an arm of LIBA and all of us, whoever belongs to LIBA, belong to Radius.
We feel proud to see the huge number of students coming forward for eye donation, blood donation, tree plantation and all the activities happened in LIBA so far. LIBA has given birth to Radius and Radius is inspiring us to give rise to an ambition, more important than being an MBA, but to have the power to commit ourselves. As we work towards the smooth succession of Binya, the child moves from the colony to a school, from the silver anklets to white cades, from a blank glance to an enlightened mind representing a face of tomorrow. We, LIBA Radius, commit to radiate, to empower and to transform.
Debadipta Bhattacharya, Associate Secretary, PR- LIBA Radius
A child is coming back from school. Her glance changes direction: the uniform, the water bottle, the school bag, the polished shoes. A voice from behind calls out, ‘Binya, Binyaa ..’ The eyes become restless. The fingers clutch the pot more firmly. The feet move slowly to the nearby colony. The sound of the silver anklet in Binya’s feet fades away.
I sit inside the auto rickshaw. I await the traffic signal to turn green. I look at the yellow flowers, and occasionally at Binya.
I go to the college, LIBA. I look into the faces of my fellow class mates. Our background is different. We speak different languages. We call our God with different names. Yet we pray together. We feel the sorrow together when Binya passes by.
Our campus is large, green, and open. The buildings are tall and strong. We thrive to become taller than the trees and stronger than the buildings in our lives. We thrive towards success. But we define success in our own terms. There are many Binya’s around our campus. The city around us is brown and grey. Binya feels helpless in the city where nobody stops to look at the yellow flowers, to help Binya wear a school uniform and to attend school.
We care. We stop to see and to our surprise, many like us stop to see. We feel happy. We feel we are privileged to be a part of the civilization as we grow with time. We earn degree, respect, money and motivation. We feel we are responsible to bring forward the ones who are lagging behind.
So I get down from auto and hold Binya’s hand to lead her to a brighter day when she will be able to make her existence useful as a human resource, to her colony, to her family and to our civilization.
Here, in LIBA, we stand together as an entity, sensible and practical, responsible and capable. We stand to take the oath that we will magnify the resources by reaching out. When we came to LIBA we were vaguely ambitious, focussed and vigorous. From here the journey has started to enrich ourselves, to make us look beyond what is seen, to be sensible towards our counterparts who can not even attend a school. Today, we have given it a shape in form of ‘Radius’. We believe all of us, attached to LIBA in whichever way, feel proud to represent Radius. We are not a club or a group of people for a cause. It is not ‘U’ or ‘Me’, its ‘WE’. We stand together, all the students, faculty members, staffs to support any initiative of Radius. It is an arm of LIBA and all of us, whoever belongs to LIBA, belong to Radius.
We feel proud to see the huge number of students coming forward for eye donation, blood donation, tree plantation and all the activities happened in LIBA so far. LIBA has given birth to Radius and Radius is inspiring us to give rise to an ambition, more important than being an MBA, but to have the power to commit ourselves. As we work towards the smooth succession of Binya, the child moves from the colony to a school, from the silver anklets to white cades, from a blank glance to an enlightened mind representing a face of tomorrow. We, LIBA Radius, commit to radiate, to empower and to transform.
Debadipta Bhattacharya, Associate Secretary, PR- LIBA Radius
Microfinance- The Way to Inclusive Growth
“We asked the assembled 40 odd women, ‘Is there anything that you wish was different about the way the loan is provided; any little thing that would have made it easier for you?’ Most of them shook their heads to signal that there was no such thinking. We persisted in silence for an answer. Though they had whispered conversations for a couple of minutes there were no reactions to the question. Then an old lady got up and started, ‘I have something to say.’ We asked, ‘What?’ She said, ‘You see, I run a small bangles and cosmetics shop in the local market. I could not be running this shop but for the loan from the MFI. I started with a smaller loan and over two cycles of repayment, the loan had become Rs 10,000. With this I could start this shop.’ So what was the problem, we wondered? She continued, ‘I repay the loan instalments every week without fail. But I find that after six months, the repayments become more difficult for me. I have to borrow from elsewhere to keep up weekly instalments and around the tenth month I look for an external loan with which I can repay the balance of MFI loan and take a fresh loan.’ We asked her why she suddenly finds it difficult to repay after six months of loan. She looked at us in amusement that how could we be ignorant of such a simple thing. Then she patiently explained, ‘Initially when I stock my shop with Rs 10,000 worth of goods, there is a large range and variety. My sales are higher and cash inflow is higher. But after each sale, I am unable to replenish my stock as I have to meet my family needs and service the loan every week. By the sixth month my shop has half the stock I started with. With half the stock, I cannot maintain my sales volume at a high enough
level. Very often the stock that I am left with is not the first preference of customers and cannot be sold at good profits. My cash flow declines and I am unable to meet all my commitments. This is what constrains my repayment.’ We again asked her, ‘What do you want the MFI to do?’ She explained, ‘Nothing extraordinary. They (MFI) should relend the repayments at the end of each month after every four instalments. This would ensure that I replenish my stock and my cash flow from sales remains high.’”
This is an excerpt from “Microfinance India – State of the sector report 2008”. I hope this throws some light at the state of microfinance in India.
More than half of India is rural and more than 70% of rural India suffers from lack of credit availability. Of the rough 30% who manage to get credit, there is sheer dearth of knowledge on how to utilize it as can be seen in the above excerpt. The state of Indian microfinance requires more of consultancy than financial engineering of credit needs. Just as finance is no longer credit and debit but a bundle of a whole gamut of financial and allied services, microfinance needs to be a bundle of credit and other financial service availability along with entrepreneurship, business development, consultancy, literacy programmes and innovations to usher in inclusive growth in India.
Microfinance in India and not just India but for all economies that has a sizeable population who do not have access to credit is more about empowerment. It is like teaching people to fish and not just providing them fishes to eat. When people do not have access or timely access to credit they end up borrowing from informal lenders who charge exorbitant interest rates. A study of about 28 studies on informal lending in about 14 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America found that about 76% of the lenders charge more than 10% interest on a monthly basis and about 20% of them have rates about 100% per month. Mind you, the rates are monthly and not annualized.
The question that now awaits us is: Are we ready to provide for the needs of rural India? If the potential to grow lies in India, there is still huge untapped potential in rural India. Are we ready to fulfil our rural CSR by helping the rural India in areas like encouraging entrepreneurship among rural population, business development, consultancy, literacy programmes and innovations?
By Smitha Minz, IInd year, PGDM (Full-time)
level. Very often the stock that I am left with is not the first preference of customers and cannot be sold at good profits. My cash flow declines and I am unable to meet all my commitments. This is what constrains my repayment.’ We again asked her, ‘What do you want the MFI to do?’ She explained, ‘Nothing extraordinary. They (MFI) should relend the repayments at the end of each month after every four instalments. This would ensure that I replenish my stock and my cash flow from sales remains high.’”
This is an excerpt from “Microfinance India – State of the sector report 2008”. I hope this throws some light at the state of microfinance in India.
More than half of India is rural and more than 70% of rural India suffers from lack of credit availability. Of the rough 30% who manage to get credit, there is sheer dearth of knowledge on how to utilize it as can be seen in the above excerpt. The state of Indian microfinance requires more of consultancy than financial engineering of credit needs. Just as finance is no longer credit and debit but a bundle of a whole gamut of financial and allied services, microfinance needs to be a bundle of credit and other financial service availability along with entrepreneurship, business development, consultancy, literacy programmes and innovations to usher in inclusive growth in India.
Microfinance in India and not just India but for all economies that has a sizeable population who do not have access to credit is more about empowerment. It is like teaching people to fish and not just providing them fishes to eat. When people do not have access or timely access to credit they end up borrowing from informal lenders who charge exorbitant interest rates. A study of about 28 studies on informal lending in about 14 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America found that about 76% of the lenders charge more than 10% interest on a monthly basis and about 20% of them have rates about 100% per month. Mind you, the rates are monthly and not annualized.
The question that now awaits us is: Are we ready to provide for the needs of rural India? If the potential to grow lies in India, there is still huge untapped potential in rural India. Are we ready to fulfil our rural CSR by helping the rural India in areas like encouraging entrepreneurship among rural population, business development, consultancy, literacy programmes and innovations?
By Smitha Minz, IInd year, PGDM (Full-time)
Message from the Mentor
India was the richest region in the world in the first millennium (AD). India was No.1 upto the 15th. century. In the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th centuries, India’s income was around 30% of the global income. India was the most important trading regio in the world for many centuries. India’s exports were around 30% of the global exports in the 10th century. India’s share of global income fell to 22% in the 18th century and with regard to the exports, the proportion was almost the same. China occupied No.1 position for a few centuries upto the 18th century.
Europe shaped the global agenda during the 18th and 19th centuries. Europe occupied the central place in the global economy because of its unrelenting progress in education, unimagined advancement in science and technology, exploitative colonisation, aggressive and cruel imperialism, promotion of inhuman slave trade and the endless list of invention, discoveries and innovations. After the First World War, USA emerged as the most powerful nation. After the Second World War, the United States was on the top of the world in agriculture, industry, trade and transport and science and technology.
Japan, which was shattered during the Second World War, emerged out of the ashes of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in 1960s. During ‘60s, its annual economic growth was about 16%. By 1970s, it started acquiring the American companies apart from capturing the American market. Japan continued its exemplary growth rate with extraordinary vigour. The real estate and the stock market bubbles burst in 1990s put an end to the relentless growth of Japan. The United States with its strong 14 trillion dollar economy has become the biggest debtor in the world in the 21st. century. The United States, the sole super power today (in 2009) is the strongest in terms of its economic power and military strength. No country enjoyed such power in the last 1500 years after the fall of the Roman Empire.
But…….
The US is consuming more than it is producing. Its imports are more than its exports. It’s household savings rate is nil. It is the biggest borrower in the world. Its deficits are huge and mind boggling. The dollar is becoming weaker everyday and the other currencies are gaining strength vis-à-vis dollar.
There is a vacuum. China is climbing up fast. In many respects, China has already overtaken the United States except in per capita income and the consequent standard of living.
Where is India?
India will be reaping the demographic dividends. By 2040, India will be one of the three richest countries in the world.
Will India become numero uno?
India Can!
It is in the hands of our youth-our students. They should try to put India back where it was 1000 years ago.
India should become a super power! It will! There is no doubt about it. But… the land of Mahavir, Buddha, Ramanuja, Vallalar and Mahatma Gandhiji should become a different kind of super power. It should not become a big brother and it should not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. India should promote a nuclear free world. It should work for global peace. The world has witnessed more than 14,400 battles and war in history, killing millions of people and destroying wealth worth billions of dollars!
What for? What is the result? What are the consequences of these wars and battles? Destruction and more destruction!
Deaths and more deaths!
Enough is enough!
India should put an end to this catastrophic menace and limitless lunacy.
All the incomes created down the ages and the wealth generated by various civilizations would have created a better, more prosperous and humane world, had there been no wars! Yes!
Buddha had shown the way 2500 years back!
Hereafter there should be no war among nations in the name of religion or race or geography or language.
Wars should be declared against poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, hunger, malnutrition, exploitation and inequalities. Racism and male chauvinism should be defeated. Wealth should be created and equitably distributed.
Environment should be nurtured and protected. Sustainable development should be the new mantra.
A prosperous, peaceful progressive world should be created in which love and affection and sharing and sacrifice should be the guiding principles.
Europe shaped the global agenda during the 18th and 19th centuries. Europe occupied the central place in the global economy because of its unrelenting progress in education, unimagined advancement in science and technology, exploitative colonisation, aggressive and cruel imperialism, promotion of inhuman slave trade and the endless list of invention, discoveries and innovations. After the First World War, USA emerged as the most powerful nation. After the Second World War, the United States was on the top of the world in agriculture, industry, trade and transport and science and technology.
Japan, which was shattered during the Second World War, emerged out of the ashes of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in 1960s. During ‘60s, its annual economic growth was about 16%. By 1970s, it started acquiring the American companies apart from capturing the American market. Japan continued its exemplary growth rate with extraordinary vigour. The real estate and the stock market bubbles burst in 1990s put an end to the relentless growth of Japan. The United States with its strong 14 trillion dollar economy has become the biggest debtor in the world in the 21st. century. The United States, the sole super power today (in 2009) is the strongest in terms of its economic power and military strength. No country enjoyed such power in the last 1500 years after the fall of the Roman Empire.
But…….
The US is consuming more than it is producing. Its imports are more than its exports. It’s household savings rate is nil. It is the biggest borrower in the world. Its deficits are huge and mind boggling. The dollar is becoming weaker everyday and the other currencies are gaining strength vis-à-vis dollar.
There is a vacuum. China is climbing up fast. In many respects, China has already overtaken the United States except in per capita income and the consequent standard of living.
Where is India?
India will be reaping the demographic dividends. By 2040, India will be one of the three richest countries in the world.
Will India become numero uno?
India Can!
It is in the hands of our youth-our students. They should try to put India back where it was 1000 years ago.
India should become a super power! It will! There is no doubt about it. But… the land of Mahavir, Buddha, Ramanuja, Vallalar and Mahatma Gandhiji should become a different kind of super power. It should not become a big brother and it should not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. India should promote a nuclear free world. It should work for global peace. The world has witnessed more than 14,400 battles and war in history, killing millions of people and destroying wealth worth billions of dollars!
What for? What is the result? What are the consequences of these wars and battles? Destruction and more destruction!
Deaths and more deaths!
Enough is enough!
India should put an end to this catastrophic menace and limitless lunacy.
All the incomes created down the ages and the wealth generated by various civilizations would have created a better, more prosperous and humane world, had there been no wars! Yes!
Buddha had shown the way 2500 years back!
Hereafter there should be no war among nations in the name of religion or race or geography or language.
Wars should be declared against poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, hunger, malnutrition, exploitation and inequalities. Racism and male chauvinism should be defeated. Wealth should be created and equitably distributed.
Environment should be nurtured and protected. Sustainable development should be the new mantra.
A prosperous, peaceful progressive world should be created in which love and affection and sharing and sacrifice should be the guiding principles.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
We Completed three months!
Good work guys! We have completed three months on campus!
It never felt that long since we started. But now as we look back, we feel good. We have had a significant journey so far. I would like to thank all our team members and non-members as well for helping Radius sail on.
Wehave come out with quarterly review of Radius which will be presented to Fr. Christie and Anthivan Sir. It is ready to be published to LIBA community once it gets approved. Members will receive it in their mail box tonight. We will make it available to non-members as well in a while.
This a moment of happiness for us. We are beaming with excitement and anticipation as we start our journey afresh with goals to achieve for next quarter.
You can expect more and more of Radius news in a few days as we will be sharing our targets and plans for all the teams right here.
Cehck out for October Issue of Newsletter which is due to release in next couple of days!
Look out for more next time!
It never felt that long since we started. But now as we look back, we feel good. We have had a significant journey so far. I would like to thank all our team members and non-members as well for helping Radius sail on.
Wehave come out with quarterly review of Radius which will be presented to Fr. Christie and Anthivan Sir. It is ready to be published to LIBA community once it gets approved. Members will receive it in their mail box tonight. We will make it available to non-members as well in a while.
This a moment of happiness for us. We are beaming with excitement and anticipation as we start our journey afresh with goals to achieve for next quarter.
You can expect more and more of Radius news in a few days as we will be sharing our targets and plans for all the teams right here.
Cehck out for October Issue of Newsletter which is due to release in next couple of days!
Look out for more next time!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Its 'My Tree'- When Are You Getting yours!
Have you ever thought of having a Tree to call your own! Have you ever thought of having a pet who is so unselfish and kind like a tree! Have you ever thought of matching your green t-shirt with the green tender leaves resting on your lap if you wish so!
Tree plantation drive is back on campus. We are going to turn the campus green before rainy season starts.
But more importantly, we have started adopting trees, taking care of it and bringing it up like a child.
You can also adopt a tree to call it your own. You can be a little more sensitive and be a friend to the tree.You help it to grow and it will help in sustain more than a decade.
Meet Deepthi Abraham if you feel to have your tree, I got mine today. When are you getting yours?
Tree plantation drive is back on campus. We are going to turn the campus green before rainy season starts.
But more importantly, we have started adopting trees, taking care of it and bringing it up like a child.
You can also adopt a tree to call it your own. You can be a little more sensitive and be a friend to the tree.You help it to grow and it will help in sustain more than a decade.
Meet Deepthi Abraham if you feel to have your tree, I got mine today. When are you getting yours?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
yet MORE!..Conference on Social Entrepreneurship
The LIBA Radius is a happening activity in our college, the club which has the most number of committee members, a deed if it’s good for the society; people are very much interested in participating and serve them. But people have lots of desires and aspirations that is why they are here at LIBA for a post graduation. But how I as a management graduate help the society and of course also fulfil their desires.
The morning session guest lecture by Mr. Mahadevan was an eye opener for us, further more to throw light upon the act of benevolence towards the society we had the mini conference on Social Entrepreneurship with the theme – we “mean” business.
LIBA radius in association with LIBA Entrepreneurship Cell organized a mini conference on Social entrepreneurship on 1st October 2009 as part of the Joy of giving fest, to infuse the need of entrepreneurship for social cause. Inspirational speeches by Fr. Joe Arun, Mr. Sriram Iyer and Ilango Rangasamy were all directed towards lighting up the fire of entrepreneurship among students of LIBA.
Fr. Joe Arun introduced the environment of Social entrepreneurship that means bridging the gap between Social motive and business motive. Then Mr. Sriram Iyer gave us a first hand experience of Social entrepreneurship, stating his personal experiences on the subject matter. We then had Ilango Rangasamy a leading entrepreneur of TVSG who gave us an insight on the various resources with the help of which we can make social entrepreneurship possible and can go on to change lives for ourselves and others. Both the speakers gave us an inspiring speech, which we could think about goodness for the society that can be provided even by people who are so busy in this competitive corporate world. They gave us insights on many aspects of Social Entrepreneurship which I think would be a boost for people who were thinking of doing a socially motive organization.
They give a major part of their timing and money for the welfare of the society, this conference where they shared their experience was really a awe inspiring one which will make all of us a socially responsible personalities.
With this event our JOY OF GIVING WEEK came to an end, the program was coming to an end but we have started enjoying and this will continue forever serving the nation.
The morning session guest lecture by Mr. Mahadevan was an eye opener for us, further more to throw light upon the act of benevolence towards the society we had the mini conference on Social Entrepreneurship with the theme – we “mean” business.
LIBA radius in association with LIBA Entrepreneurship Cell organized a mini conference on Social entrepreneurship on 1st October 2009 as part of the Joy of giving fest, to infuse the need of entrepreneurship for social cause. Inspirational speeches by Fr. Joe Arun, Mr. Sriram Iyer and Ilango Rangasamy were all directed towards lighting up the fire of entrepreneurship among students of LIBA.
Fr. Joe Arun introduced the environment of Social entrepreneurship that means bridging the gap between Social motive and business motive. Then Mr. Sriram Iyer gave us a first hand experience of Social entrepreneurship, stating his personal experiences on the subject matter. We then had Ilango Rangasamy a leading entrepreneur of TVSG who gave us an insight on the various resources with the help of which we can make social entrepreneurship possible and can go on to change lives for ourselves and others. Both the speakers gave us an inspiring speech, which we could think about goodness for the society that can be provided even by people who are so busy in this competitive corporate world. They gave us insights on many aspects of Social Entrepreneurship which I think would be a boost for people who were thinking of doing a socially motive organization.
They give a major part of their timing and money for the welfare of the society, this conference where they shared their experience was really a awe inspiring one which will make all of us a socially responsible personalities.
With this event our JOY OF GIVING WEEK came to an end, the program was coming to an end but we have started enjoying and this will continue forever serving the nation.
We EMPOWERED!..Guest lecture on Social entrepreneurship
Mr. Mahadevan of Oriental Cuisines shared with us his experience and the path which lead him to great heights. We had an enthralling 20 minutes lecture on Social Entrepreneurship. He spoke about the qualities that an Entrepreneur should poses, where he emphasised on discipline, quantitative ability (ability to analyse the figures) while dealing with large number of units, being able to get things done even when we are not around the work place. He shared with us many of his personal experiences where the above mentioned qualities had come handy. He also stressed on the importance of an employee in an organisation and the way in which he has to be treated. He says that profit is not a bad word in social entrepreneurship. He made us realise that without profit the purpose of the Business is not fulfilled. The profit is needed to achieve the social motive for which the business is started. Mr. Mahadevan employs several economically backward people who are getting pension benefits, insurance, etc... and above all a secured life for them, in more than 70 countries. Apart from this he is also supporting several NGOs. A simple, down to earth person who has achieved so much in life and is passionate about giving back to the society which brought him up, was just extremely amazing to listen to.
We ENRICHED!..Clothes collection Drive
As part of the Joy of Giving Week, LIBA’s Social Initiative Radius organized a clothes collection campaign. It served the twosome purpose of instilling a sense of responsibility towards the society in the students while at the same time finding people who would put to use stuff that was lying unused with the students. Donating old clothes to charity came across as a great idea for many reasons. Donating old clothes can be very much helpful to society as people who need affordable clothing can have access to donated clothes. The environment also benefits since clothing thrown away rather than donated ends up in the uselessly polluting the land.
The campaign encouraged the students to donate clothes that are wearable, clothes which does not fit them would definitely fit someone who needs it. Students came forward and donated clothes (not special occasion clothes) that had stayed in their safes and wardrobes for more than two months indicating clearly that they did not need them anymore and therefore should give them away.
However, the driving force of the campaign was that that there is extreme joy in giving away something that one loves so much, than that one may not like because the real Joy of Giving lies in parting with things one values greatly.
The clothes donation campaign at LIBA started on 29 September, 2009 and lasted till 1 October 2009. Collection booths were set up at two places in LIBA and were open to both the fulltime and part time students. Students participated in the campaign with great fervour and by the end of the campaign a large carton of clothes was available for donation. These clothes were packed and handed over to Goonj, Seva Samajam Children's Home (75, Bajanai Kovil Street, Pallipattu, Chennai).
The campaign encouraged the students to donate clothes that are wearable, clothes which does not fit them would definitely fit someone who needs it. Students came forward and donated clothes (not special occasion clothes) that had stayed in their safes and wardrobes for more than two months indicating clearly that they did not need them anymore and therefore should give them away.
However, the driving force of the campaign was that that there is extreme joy in giving away something that one loves so much, than that one may not like because the real Joy of Giving lies in parting with things one values greatly.
The clothes donation campaign at LIBA started on 29 September, 2009 and lasted till 1 October 2009. Collection booths were set up at two places in LIBA and were open to both the fulltime and part time students. Students participated in the campaign with great fervour and by the end of the campaign a large carton of clothes was available for donation. These clothes were packed and handed over to Goonj, Seva Samajam Children's Home (75, Bajanai Kovil Street, Pallipattu, Chennai).
WE Turn it GREEN!..Tree plantation
In the beginning man was living in the forest without any worries they lived happily in the dark forest, but as civilization started the natural shelters of trees were replaced by walls buildings etc but with civilization man has brought a new disease to the universe the “Global warming”. We as a part of LIBA Radius took the initiative of planting about 80 saplings around the LIBA campus as an inauguration for making the campus green and the world surrounded by it. Volunteers were so interested in lending a helping hand and the set target of 80 saplings, which was successfully achieved. And a new trend towards the development of this tree planting project, we students of LIBA have adopted a tree each, which we will be taking care of them till they manage to grow by themselves. It was indeed happy as we started watering and guarding the trees, a added up responsibility to our hectic schedule of studies, but this is really a cute project where we forget our worries and enjoy the enrichment of nature with our love towards it. This indeed is a path way for creating not only a green campus but a greener world. Let’s protect the nature!!!
WE Gave Away!..Eye Donation Camp
Donate eyes, Donate sight.. They say, by donating one set of eyes, you give two other people, the hope of sight. The eyes are one set of organs that can be transplanted easily. Even people with myopia and hypermetropia can donate eyes. This is one property that sets it apart from donation of other organs or blood donation. In case of blood donation, people with sugar or other conditions cannot donate. This organ donation can be done by anyone. To serve as a portal for this donation, LIBA Radius, the social initiative in LIBA, conducted an eye pledge drive as an event during the Joy of Giving week. This was conducted in association with Sankara Nethralaya on 28th Sept 2009 on LIBA campus. The drive was extended till 1st Oct 2009, to clear doubts and give, many part time and executive students, the chance to experience the joy of giving by donating their eyes. About 50 people, comprising of students and faculty members, came forward to donate their eyes, happy at the chance to give something back to the society. This initiative also helped clear many doubts prevailing in the minds of the students at LIBA, regarding the process of eye donation. On the whole, this drive was successful in its purpose: to give each the option to experience the Joy of Giving.
We did IT!..Waste to Wealth
While the world around enjoyed a relaxing holiday amidst the festivities, volunteers of LIBA Radius, the Social Initiative of LIBA, were busy working full throttle on cleaning up the campus. It was the second day of the Joy of Giving (JOG) week and it was evident that our volunteers were out to make a difference. In the first half of the day the garbage around the LIBA Hostel was cleared and segregated into plastic waste, metal and glass. The bio-degradable waste was left untouched to fertilize the soil. Appropriate safety measures were taken as the volunteers wore gloves and masks.
In the second half of the day, the garbage around the field adjacent to the LIBA hostel was collected and loaded on to cement bags. Carrying a yellow cement bag and loading garbage into it – the sight did resemble what we see very often on our streets - and mind you, it’s very easy to poke fun at others. Not the type who’d shy away or be ashamed of what others think, the volunteers were upfront in saying that they got to taste the reality of life as experienced by rag pickers trying to seek out a living on the high streets. Now that’s some plain-speaking without mincing words.
The activity did not just end with picking up rags, an idea is on the cards to construct a garden in the place where the rubbish was cleared out – closely connecting with one of the three pillars of Radius. Any guesses? Transform – yes this activity would essentially transform a garbage dump into something of lasting beauty.
The non-biodegradable waste collected was given to Exnora – a foundation that works to dispose of non-biodegradable waste in the most safe and efficient manner.
In the second half of the day, the garbage around the field adjacent to the LIBA hostel was collected and loaded on to cement bags. Carrying a yellow cement bag and loading garbage into it – the sight did resemble what we see very often on our streets - and mind you, it’s very easy to poke fun at others. Not the type who’d shy away or be ashamed of what others think, the volunteers were upfront in saying that they got to taste the reality of life as experienced by rag pickers trying to seek out a living on the high streets. Now that’s some plain-speaking without mincing words.
The activity did not just end with picking up rags, an idea is on the cards to construct a garden in the place where the rubbish was cleared out – closely connecting with one of the three pillars of Radius. Any guesses? Transform – yes this activity would essentially transform a garbage dump into something of lasting beauty.
The non-biodegradable waste collected was given to Exnora – a foundation that works to dispose of non-biodegradable waste in the most safe and efficient manner.
Joyfest in campus
A life of giving—not just money, but time and spirit—repays. This was the motto with which the concept of Joy of Giving week was started. Joy of Giving week(27th September to 1st October) was an initiative of Give India, an NGO that is dedicated to changing lives, lives of not only the poor but also of the needy. LIBA also wanted to contribute in a small but effective way. So a number of activities were organized both on and off campus. Following is the list of activities,
Inauguration Ceremony
Joy of Giving Week was flagged off at LIBA on 27th September, 2009 with a small inaugural function organized by the students. The inauguration was blessed by the presence of Rev. Fr. Maria Augustine, Professor Victor Louis Anthuvan and Professor Alagu Perumal Ramasamy.
Orphanage Visit
The plan for the day was to spend time with mentally challenged children at MITHRA, Anna Nagar.
A group of more than 25 Libaites reached Mithra at around 11a.m. The event went on till 3p.m. The students of LIBA had various events and games through which they were able to make those little children participate and at the same time entertain them.
- LIBA students conducted games and at the end of it gave chocolates to all the children.
- We also spent time talking to the kids, playing board games, football etc.
- We had organized dance programs and songs for the kids and also made them dance along with us. The children enjoyed every minute that we spent with them and so did we.
- We provided them with things that they had requested: clothes, slippers, accessories etc.
- We sponsored their dinner for the day.
It was a wonderful learning experience for all those who were there with the children at MITHRA and surely an eye opener as to what we can do for the society in our way. We Libaites have a very busy schedule during the week and many a times we have no weekends too. But we were able to understand the fact that there are people who need us, our time and our love. So, as future leaders our learning is to balance our life in such a manner that we can give time for others and share this testimony with the world that anything is possible through love and giving.
Inauguration Ceremony
Joy of Giving Week was flagged off at LIBA on 27th September, 2009 with a small inaugural function organized by the students. The inauguration was blessed by the presence of Rev. Fr. Maria Augustine, Professor Victor Louis Anthuvan and Professor Alagu Perumal Ramasamy.
Orphanage Visit
The plan for the day was to spend time with mentally challenged children at MITHRA, Anna Nagar.
A group of more than 25 Libaites reached Mithra at around 11a.m. The event went on till 3p.m. The students of LIBA had various events and games through which they were able to make those little children participate and at the same time entertain them.
- LIBA students conducted games and at the end of it gave chocolates to all the children.
- We also spent time talking to the kids, playing board games, football etc.
- We had organized dance programs and songs for the kids and also made them dance along with us. The children enjoyed every minute that we spent with them and so did we.
- We provided them with things that they had requested: clothes, slippers, accessories etc.
- We sponsored their dinner for the day.
It was a wonderful learning experience for all those who were there with the children at MITHRA and surely an eye opener as to what we can do for the society in our way. We Libaites have a very busy schedule during the week and many a times we have no weekends too. But we were able to understand the fact that there are people who need us, our time and our love. So, as future leaders our learning is to balance our life in such a manner that we can give time for others and share this testimony with the world that anything is possible through love and giving.
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