Session on the impact of fashion and apparel industry on workers, consumers, and the environment

A session on the impact of fashion and apparel industry on workers, consumers, and the environment was organised by the Social Work Students Association in collaboration with Collective for Labour on the 10^th of March, 2020 at 3 PM in Xavier hall. The session began with the screening of a documentary titled 'The True Cost', directed by Andrew Morgan. The documentary is a description and commentary on the fashion industry and its impact on labourers employed in the industry. Issues such as low wages and violence experienced by workers in the industry at the hands of their employers were also depicted.

One particular tragedy involving the collapse of a garments factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh, brought to light, the poor working conditions as well as the low value attached to the lives of the workers in the garments industry in the developing world. The impact of the industry and its activities on the environment was highlighted as well.  After the screening of the documentary, Anse Mathachan of II MSW introduced Ms. Rukmini, President of Garment Labour Union, who then shared her experience of working in the garment industry.  She mainly talked about the lack of workers' rights in the garment industry and the abuse the workers are forced endure as a result of it. Following her address, there was a discussion in which the audience participated. Prof.Y.J Rajendra then gave the concluding remarks. The session was an eye opener for many present about the dark side of the fashion industry.

The Music of Resistance, a musical show was performed by the Social Work Students Association and was a part of the cultural programme organised by Meraki and Global Kulture. The programme began at 3:00pm in the main auditorium with the Josephite choir singing the college anthem. The dignitaries from Spain began their performance in a unique manner, using Kathak and Flamenco dance styles. They also created music using different instruments at the same time. The combination of Indian and Western music was a treat to the ears of the audience. After their performance, the Social Work Students Association took over and the MSW and BSW students performed dances on tackling different social issues like honour killing, rape, human trafficking, gender discrimination and drug addiction. The dance performances conveyed the theme of resistance. The programme concluded with a song repressing hope for a bright and peaceful future.

World Day of Social Justice

The World day of Social Justice was observed on the 29^th of February, 2020 by Ist BSW students of the Social Work Students Association in Garuda mall, Ashoknagar. The students performed an awareness skit on issues concerning social justice. They began the skit by gathering the attention of the crowd through claps and slogans. The first scene highlighted the issue of rape and injustice faced by the victims. They also highlighted the prevalence of caste discrimination and problems faced by the people due to this. The phenomenon of gun violence were also included as part of the skit. Their skit ended on a note of appreciation from people present there. 

Cancer Awareness Programme

To commemorate World Cancer Awareness day, the students of 1st MSW organised an awareness program in Choodahalli Village, Anekal District, during their rural camp Banni Beleyona 2020. On 4th February 2020, the students prepared posters on cancer and took a class for an hour on cancer and its causes for the government school children. They used a video to make things clearer for the children and ensured that they would advise their parents of this. Soon after the class the children and MSW Students walked in the village shouting slogans like Beda Beda, Beedi Beda, Yenne Beda etc. Through this the students invited the people for the cancer awareness program in the evening. Also, ribbons indicating awareness were distributed among the people. After completing two rounds in the village the children were asked to leave and come back by 6:45pm at the centre of the village. The MSW Students then prepared for the mime performance and got their faces painted and wore black. A flash mob was performed to get attention. After which one of the students gave a brief introduction and soon the mime on cancer and its ill effects was presented. After the mime, one of the students spoke about cancer and why it must be prevented. 

Students of 1st MSW make an impact in Choodahalli village

The students of 1st MSW, as part of their rural camp in Choodahalli village in Anekal Taluk, conducted a baseline survey in the village to identify the major issues being faced by the people there. The collected data were then analysed and presented in the form of a report to the representative of the MLA as well as to the Thasildhar. A copy was also sent to the media. Some of the major problems identified include the absence of proper roads, lack of hospitals nearby, the absence of a high school, to name a few. The media took up the issue and reported on it. It has been noted that positive change is indeed taking place in the village. It is hoped that within a few years from now, more positive changes in the village will be seen as a result of this report and intervention. 

Tackle Fest 2020

The Tackle Fest was organised by Headstreams on 8^th February 2020 from 9:00 am near the Auditorium block. The program began on time with a procedure of registrations and a stall was allotted to us with a flag and furniture. After which students of 1^st BSW and 3^rd BSW started decorating the stall with charts they had made related to social work. Each stall had four people and they had to present their stall to different school children. The school children stood around the stalls and the student volunteers from Social Work Students Association explained to them about Social Work. The school children were listening keenly about the profession. The students explained to them in different languages about what the profession is and what social workers do. They also acquainted them with the difference between social work and social service. The students also made them aware about rural and tribal camps and the work that is done such as constructing a library or helping in provision of different resources. Due to lack of time the students couldn’t do all the activities that they planned but they asked questions once the interaction came to an end and distributed badges to whoever answered. Also, the students addressed almost 10 groups of these children from different schools.

Best Paper Award received by Faculty

During the annual conference of the Indian Society of Professional Social Work (ISPSW), Dr. S. Rama Gokula Krishnan, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, presented a paper titled ‘Predictors of Hopelessness among Youth living in Slums of Bangalore City’. He won the award for best paper in the Social Work Practitioner category. The three-day annual conference was organised in Ranchi, Jharkhand. Social Work Professionals from all over the country presented and participated in the conference.