Orientation visit to Visthar, Bengaluru

A one-day orientation visit to Visthar was organsied by the Department of Social Work, St Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Bengaluru, for the 1^styear MSW students. The students were accompanied by two faculty members from the Department of Social Work- Dr. Mary Princess Lavanya, AssistantProfessor and Ms. Latha Paul, Assistant Professor. The orientation began with an explanation by a representative of Visthar on the need for the existence of the organisation. The moto of the organisation- break the silence was touched upon. It was informed to the students that the motoimplies breaking cultural and developmental barriers for different classes of society. It was also pointed out that this organisation was initially established in the year 1989 and began by focusing on women empowerment. It may be noted that Visthar also engages in selling plants as an eco-initiative. The organisation reaches out to the general public through email, social-media platforms, and through the newspaper. Post tea-break, the students were given an opportunity to clarify any doubts. Then, the students were encouraged to visit the paper reuse/ recycle sector that portrayed various items made of real paper. This is yet another eco-initiative of the organisation. The students were also permitted to have a look around the arena following which the visit came to an end and a student representative thanked the representative from Visthar for spending her valuable time with the students.