The Insight Of Science

Apart from their regular teaching schedule from Monday to Friday, members of the Prerna cell, NSS IIT Roorkee conducted an interesting science workshop for the students of nearby areas on January 24^th, 2016. The aim of this novel venture was to give those children a brief insight into the implementation of their already learnt courses of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. And those children enjoyed and learnt much from this event.

Student performing experiment

Considering the same, many experiments were demonstrated by the students of Prerna cell to show the various real life phenomena using simple equipment like sharpener, rubber, plastic glass, etc. These included concepts of centrifugal force, refraction of light, optical illusion, the well-known Boyle’s law, and others like the functioning of a hovercraft and how air pressure from a balloon can move a car.

Every experiment was followed by an interactive round to make students use their already learnt concepts for the justification of the marvel done before their eyes, telling them the actual and simple reasons behind it. The students were also asked to perform those experiments themselves for a better understanding of the classroom concepts.

About 35-40 students from the local schools of Roorkee attended it with great zeal and passion. They gained a lot of knowledge and were quite excited for the workshop from the beginning itself.Thus, application of theoretical knowledge into practical happenings really made the day for all brilliant and inquisitive minds. In the words of cell coordinator Shubham Jain himself, they were all excited to showcase such daily life science to those young minds.

Know and Control Yourself

Self-control strength is a central construct to theories of willpower, optimal functioning, freedom from addiction, and abilities to override problematic social motives and behaviours (e.g., aggression).

Training the students on these grounds, NSS, IIT Roorkee under the aegis of DOSW organised a guest lecture on “Art of controlling yourself and discovering self-glory” by ISKCON speaker Dr. GG Krishna Murthy, a famous Youth Counsellor & Trainer of Communication, Meditation, Leadership and Time Management.

He came up with the objective of making every Tom, Dick, and Harry know their insight.

A small meditation session conducted by him took all and sundry into a world of calmness and peace. He portrayed various examples to show whatever has happened with us, it was our Past, but due to that Past, one should not spoil the future.

What he meant was that every great person in this world became great because he had a great control on himself and his wits. Everyone was totally engrossed in his speech. He was communicating with everyone as if he was amongst the audience only. He added that the reason for him being the Institute Silver medallist was self-control via ‘MEDITATION’.

The life history of Iskcon founder A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and Mother Teresa and the struggles they faced in their life filled every person with enthusiasm and confidence to face all difficult circumstances boldly and without any fear. He sighted example of Mahatma Gandhi highlighting the importance of having a good EQ.  His words were an eye-opener for everyone as everyone realised the importance of SQ and EQ over IQ and that meditation is powerful enough to make us have control on ourself. The lecture was mesmerising and ended with smiles and contentment.

Talent Hunt in IITR

It is rightly said that talent is not contingent on age, same was showcased in an event named “PRERNA’S GOT TALENT” organized by Prerna cell of NSS, IIT Roorkee on November 1, 2015. The event was first of its kind to be organized by NSS, IIT Roorkee.

The event was attended by number of students studying under the teaching programme of Prerna cell. The main motto behind organizing the event was to develop self confidence among students so that they can overcome their stage phobia. The event served dual purposes by not only boosting confidence level of students but also turning out to be a recreational event for the students where they enjoyed and took a break from their regular schedule.

The event was composed of number of activities such as dancing, singing, standup comedy, all of where performances of students were appreciable. At last top 3 position holders were awarded with prizes and chocolates were distributed to all participating students.

Target 2030: Sustainable Development

Vimarsh meaning consultation or deliberation was a paper presentation event on sustainable development. The ideas contending for the spotlight comprised of promotion of alternate energy sources, artificial photosynthesis, village development models, desalination methods, indication to a synergistic framework by connecting the stakeholders.

The judges were Dr. Ram Manohar Singh, Dr. Falguni Patnaik and Dr. Rahul Krishna Gairola. The special guest was Dr. Smita Jha. Seven teams participated in the competition.

Participants giving presentation 

First position was bagged by Rahul sharma& Anurag Singh for giving voice to artificial photosynthesis under the heading of Odyssey to the photosynthetic city. The statement was that although solar cells are cutting-edge renewable energy source devices, their manufacturing causes a serious environmental damage. So, by using a catalyst driven mechanism, closely imitating the natural process, the water is to be split into hydrogen and oxygen using sunlight, thus producing fuel for the hydrogen economy.

Second position was taken by Bijon Guha & Shweta Sisodiya. Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. They emphasized upon the concept of needs and limitations to formulate a model for sustainable development. A few facets of the model such as educational innovation called ‘Shiksha Gaadi’ for spreading literacy in remote areas, women empowerment, reducing road accidents by monitoring potholes in roads using proximity sensor in auto road checker vehicle, water ATM, GDP growth in transition & conflicted countries.

Third position was given to Abhishek Kapoor & co. They extrapolated statistics giving the population jump and corresponding sky-rocketing of energy, food and water demand. They gave the present technological developments in solar energy, highly efficient (85%) tidal energy, biofuels, desalination and tackling food requirement.

Conclusion of the event was highlighting the 17 global goals for the sustainable development which are no poverty, no hunger, good health, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, clean energy, good jobs and economic growth, innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption, protect the planet, life below water, life on land, peace and justice, partnership for the goals.

National Sports Day

No matter how much intellect or wealth a person acquires, he can neither harvest his intellect nor can he enjoy his wealth if his body does not support him. Hence, sports form an integral part of every individual’s life. To mark the birthday of Major Dhyan Chand, the National Sports Day is celebrated on the 29 August every year. In light of this event, on the 30 August the Prerna Cell of NSS IIT Roorkee took to educating and inspiring school children in Indian Sports.

Children enjoying sports day

The day began with a quiz on the vast legacy of Indian Sports. The children participated with great cheer and enthusiasm. It proved an excellent learning platform for both the children and the students of IIT Roorkee. It was followed by a few games like ‘kabbadi’ and ‘kho-kho’ which portrayed the rich cultural heritage of Indian Sports. The children put in their best efforts and performed brilliantly in these games. Following this, the members of the Prerna Cell sat down with these children, wherein the children opened up about their love for sports and about their ambitions to grow up to become excellent sportspersons for their country. The members talked to them about the meaning and importance of terms like sportsmanship and teamwork.

Participation of children on National Sports Day

The day ended with the distribution of prizes to the best performers in the games. The children departed with candies in their hands, smiles on their faces and dreams of a bright future in their minds.

Prerna Cell Quiz

“Empowering girls today makes for a more prosperous tomorrow”

-Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka,

(UN Women Executive Director)

“India is a country of incredible ironies. It is a land where people worship myriad forms of female Shakti in quest of wealth, wisdom and power. But strangely enough, it is also a land where birth of a girl is considered to cast a pall of gloom over the entire family…”

Presentation by NSS Prerna

Celebrating 11^th October’14 as International Girl Child Day, the members of Prerna cell, NSS IIT Roorkee, conducted a quiz to raise awareness among the younger generation about this issue of Gender Sensitization. The team of volunteers consisted of a total of 10 members from first, second and third year. The students were enlightened about the importance of gender equality and the need to eradicate the prevailing social evils in present era. The program witnessed active participation of 30 students cutting across age barrier. 

Ever enthusiastic participation of students

NSS volunteer enlightening students

Citing example of achievements of various Indian female personalities while keeping the enthusiasm alive by questioning and playing “Who Is This”, the volunteers were successful in their endeavour of convincing the children about the important role female play in the development of society. The enthusiasm and avidness of the students to identify each personality and answer the related questions for getting rewards added a positive incentive to the event. The students were encouraged to share their daily life experiences regarding gender inequality.

Saina Nehwal: a Role Model

The quiz followed a Kho-Kho match between the ‘girls’ team and the ‘boys’ team.  Both the teams displayed marvellous performance and in the end, the girls’ team won the game, proving that girls could be better than boys if equal opportunity is given to them. The event concluded with the prize distribution to the winning girls’ team.

The Winning Team

A small effort done on our part can help us realize the vision of India as a country where there is no gender-biasness.

Essay Competition

Essay writing competition, organised by the Prerna Cell of NSS IIT Roorkee, was held on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, 2 October’14. The event witnessed participation of 30 contestants, who wholeheartedly battled out the competition using their literary knowledge and skills.

The participants were the students of all classes from 1 to 12, from the villages in the vicinity of IIT Roorkee, who are taught by the students of Prerna Cell.

Enlightening the students about Gandhi Jayanti 

Taken the responsibility to lift up and educate these under privileged young minds, the students of Prerna Cell made them aware about the two jewels of India who share their birthday anniversary together: M.K. Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Enriching their minds with the preaching’s of these two great leaders; the students of Prerna motivated them to inculcate these values in practical life too.

The participants enjoyed a lot and the five best contenders were awarded. The event ended successfully with great learning, recherché experience.

Top students being awarded

Video Screening

Being born in a free country, living and breathing in free air is a privilege which only the present generation enjoys. It is therefore significant for the children of present times to have a glance at the great leaders of our nation and our beautiful nation itself.  Patriotism towards one’s own motherland is an exemplary attribute that should be inculcated in children. Since children can imbibe any quality with ease, patriotism can be strengthened from its roots by teaching children about our nation.

Engrossed students watch videos

With this spirit, NSS IIT Roorkee organized a video screening on the 68^th Independence Day, August 15, 2014 which was held at the Prerna room in Mandi cell. The underprivileged students in and around Roorkee attended this event. This video screening portrayed the freedom fighters of India who have shed their blood for liberty of the nation like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh and many others .It is vital to acquaint the children of our country with the history of our freedom and educate them about it. Only then can the sapling of liberty and freedom, watered by the blood of these patriots, flourish into a tree.

Volunteer takes the quiz

The videos brought the forty children present there into great attention. It was followed by a brief quiz about the freedom fighters. The students took part in this quiz with utmost enthusiasm. The ones who gave the right answer were given goodies like chocolates, pens, books etc. This motivated other students to also perform their best. Besides this, a competition on delivering a speech on any one freedom fighter was conducted. Here too, the students participated with a lot of zeal and were distributed goodies.

Our flag honours those who have fought to protect it and this event was a reminder of sacrifice of our nation. It is our responsibility to educate the children of our freedom struggle so that they imbibe value of patriotism in them. It is our duty to the nation, the flag and we must abide by it.

Skit on Women Empowerment

A skit was organised by the RT Awareness cell of NSS IIT Roorkee in the village of Sherpur on the outskirts of Roorkee. A number of students from RT Awareness cell and some from Prerna participated in this play on Women Empowerment. The play started at around 12 pm after the volunteers from the different cells of  NSS, went on a door to door campaigning spree to create  awareness about the free medical camp which accompanied the event. The volunteers, dressed uniformly in white shirts, participated in the event with great zeal and enthusiasm.

As soon as the volunteers began calling the people to watch the street play, the whole village was buzzing with activity as people rushed out following them to the village square and within no time a crowd gathered and the play started. The play focussed on the deplorable condition of women in the rural areas, where women are discriminated against, with the cases of eve teasing by men increasing and atrocities like female infanticide, rape or dowry related crimes. The message showed dignity towards women without whom the human race is incomplete. The village elders were elated and applauded the students for generating awareness. “We need to be aware about the women equality in modern times especially when the sex ratio is as low as 800 females per 1000 males in some parts of India”, said Ram Prasad, a sexagenarian trader from the village.

The event was a huge success and saw massive participation of men, women and children alike. The volunteers had put in numerous hours of practice for the event and had been working on it for more than a month. In the end their efforts bore fruit with the play sending a strong message on the equality of women among the village folk.

Collage Making Competition

Prerna cell, of NSS IIT Roorkee, organized a collage making competition for its students on 3^rd Feb. i.e. Sunday. Children started arriving at 10:30 am. Meanwhile, the seniors put up the banners in the lawn, where the competition was to take place. The banners had itself been made by collage to inspire the students and give them ideas. Competition started at 11:30 am. Everyone was given white charts, glue and some newspapers. The basic concept was to make a collage on any topic using newspapers and glue only. The students were assisted by the volunteers of first year for selecting theme and making collage. Finally the winners were decided on the basis of their collage and their explanation of their theme.

About 45 students turned up for the event, all of whom brimming with excitement. Some had thought of their themes beforehand only. In the hour that followed, you could see everyone lost in their work-cutting, pasting, etc. The air was full of creativity. There were wide varieties of themes-from Save Environment, Go Green to Women Empowerment, Indian Army. Finally seniors short listed some of them like-Women Empowerment, Save Trees, Dream India, Sports, etc. Lastly, the ex-secretary of Prerna and Prof. G.K Kumbhar of Electrical Department listened to the explanations of the shortlisted candidates. After much discussion, the selected collages were- Saving Women, Indian Army and Save Trees respectively. Winners were awarded with prizes such as sketch pens, crayons etc. Everyone was given chocolates for their active participation. All in all, it was an interesting Sunday.

  

Drawing Competition for School Students

An inter-school open drawing competition was organised on 7th October 2012 by Prerna Cell from 10:30 am to 12 noon in the Prerna classroom located in the IIT Mandi cell. The event received a highly enthusiastic response with more than 125 students participating in the event.
Students from Nursery to Class X participated in this event. The NSS Prerna volunteers were busy instructing and helping out all the participants. Pencils, erasers, sharpeners, crayons and all other basic drawing and colouring materials were provided to all the participants by NSS.


Once ready with the materials, the participants became busy in sketching their imagination with commendable dedication. Colourful hill-side, sunset sceneries with downstream rivers, small huts, flower beds with crimson red roses and pink lotuses were the most popular among all drawings. Besides these, there were drawings of globes symbolizing universal fraternity and brotherhood. Some children also painted their favorite cartoon characters and images of Lord Ganesh, with Bal Ganesh being the most popular.
Every participant was provided a pencil and chocolates as a token of appreciation for their enduring efforts. Moreover, the top five winners were awarded cash prizes by Dr. Smita Jha and the photos of the top ten winners were framed and put up in the NSS Prerna classroom. The results were announced on the same day. The drawing competition was an ideal demonstration of the burning fire and imagination within the young minds of India who are in need of financial support. The event proved that encouragement and motivation can bring out the best in children

                              

A MUST WATCH- Screening of "I AM KALAM"

In addition to educating young minds and helping them overcome their doubts in various subjects, Prerna Cell recently organized a movie screening for the students they teach on 2nd October at the Mandi cell. At 5.30 pm, the show for ‘I Am Kalam’ commenced.

It is a beautiful movie with even a more beautiful message. Once in a while, you come across a film that makes you a 'softer' person after just one watch. I Am Kalam, which revolves around seemingly impossible dreams of an 11 year old, is one such experience. Chhotu (Harsh Mayar) comes from a really poor family and works at his uncle Bhati's (Gulshan Grover) dhaba. At the outset, the story appears simple enough. But as it unfolds, deeper layers unfurl in the most magical way. Chhotu befriends Kuwar Ranvijay Singh (Hussan Saad). The rich prince suffers from loneliness until he meets Chhotu (flashing his trademark confident toothy grin) teaches him a few lessons, some obvious and some more subtle. While Chhotu's bullying and insecure colleague at the dhaba, Laptan (Pitobash) is a die-hard fan of Amitabh Bachchan, Chhotu has bigger aspirations. The kid is so inspired by former Indian President APJ Kalam that he confidently rechristens himself Kalam, thus explaining the title of the movie.
Among other things, the most impressive is the way in which a social message is pressed cleverly that a child's brilliance shines through even the dreariest of circumstances. And in direct contrast, a child can't be made happy by bestowing him with costly toys and other comforts.
The best thing about this movie is that it is happy, despite the grim reality of life it portrays. The positivity somehow manages to touch a chord. The central plot of the movie is in sync with the RTE Act and stands for thousands of such aspiring children. Privileged children get to know about the plight of their underprivileged counterpart and the gift of education that they have been bestowed with. At a time, when children seem bereft of the right idol to emulate, I Am Kalam shows the way.”I am Kalam” shows you how beautiful can small be. That sun always comes up after every dark night. That dreams can come true if your heart is at right place and your mind is glued in.

Special Lecture Series for Students in Prerna Class

Apart from their regular educational schedule, the Prerna cell has started a special lecture series for the students of classes 11th and 12th for strengthening their core concepts in Physics, Chemistry and Maths. A lecture of 2 hours is conducted every Sunday at Mandi Cell focussing on a single topic from the aforementioned subjects at a time. Under the programme, three successful lectures have been conducted till now, from one from each of the subjects. The first two lectures were held on the topics—Circuit Theory (Physics) and Vectors (Maths) by Tarun Gangwar (II year) and Tanuj Agrawal (III year) respectively which received a very good response from the students. The last lecture for the autumn semester was held on Valence Bond Theory (Chemistry) which too was highly successful. This initiative, in the long run will surely cater to the needs of the young minds of the surrounding towns and villages preparing for boards as well as the competitive exams and ensure that they can crack the exams to have a bright future.

NavKalapana Event

PRERNA-NSS organized a presentation event "NAVKALPANA" based on the theme "Innovative Ways of Teaching".
Abstract form the event:

There are three key topics your ideas must revolve around-

• Curriculum: Besides teaching PCM, we can teach many other things like sudoku, word puzzles , improve their G.K., etc.

• Methodology: New improved methods of teaching shall be given which are interactive and pristine.

• Class Structure: Currently we are following one to one teaching. You may give new rational ideas to improve the quality of teaching.

Note while presenting your abstract:

• Font face shall be TIMES NEW ROMAN with font size 11.

• Your submission will be in PDF/MS WORD form. Word limit for abstract is 300 words.

• It is expected that you will touch above given points. Brainwaves vis-a-vis other fields are also welcome.

• To check feasibility I will strongly encourage you to visit Prerna classes being held in Metallurgy Department of IIT Roorkee. If it is not possible for you, see photographs of classes in gallery.

• Final date for submission of abstracts is 28 February, 2011. Mail your entries to navkalpana.prerna@gmail.com