Medical & Psychiatry Students Work in Hospitals around the Country during the Pandemic

With the Covid 19 pandemic causing havoc around the world and in the country, the students of second year MSW students specialised in Medical and Psychiatry have chosen to work in different hospitals around the country from Delhi to Kerala and from Assam to Rajasthan, along with several other states including Karnataka, as part of their month long consolidated field work. The students have taken all the necessary precautions for working in such conditions. Nevertheless, it requires tremendous courage to work in hospitals during such times. The Department of Social Work is proud of you and the wonderful work that you are doing! Keep at it and all the best! 

SWSA Alumni Lecture – 1

On the 23^rd of September 2020, the Social Work Students Association organised its first lecture of the Alumni Lecture Series. The speaker for the session was Ms. Gangamma, Program Manager at Amazon.  

The session started with an introduction on the Alumni lecture series by the emcee, Janane Shree from I MSW. Ms. Girija from I MSW invoked God’s blessings through a prayer song. Ms Diya James, the President of SWSA, welcomed the gathering. Following which, Mr. Arjun Mark from II BSW took over as the moderator of the session. He introduced the speaker, Ms. Gangamma, Program Manager, Amazon. 

Ms. Gangamma addressed the gathering on the theme: Social Work in the Corporate Sector – Perspectives and Scope. She talked about the role of social work in the corporate sector and shared some of her experiences in the field of social work. She also shared her experience as a student at St. Joseph's College and as the first President of Reach (Former name of SWSA).  She motivated the students of social work to work harder and become agents of change by using the knowledge that they gain in social work in whatever field they choose to work in future, be it in the corporate sector or in the social sector.

After her lecture, Ms. Gangamma addressed all the questions posed to her and cleared the doubts of students.  Then, the Head of Department, Lt. Akshay D. Mandlik addressed the gathering. The meeting ended with the vote of thanks by Tenzin Noryang of I BSW.

Lecture on Labour Codes: Challenges and Prospects

On the 26^th  of September, 2020, the Social Work Students Association organised a lecture on Labour Codes: Challenges and Prospects. The session began with the emcee, Ms. Nadiya welcoming the speaker, Sr. Adv. S Balan, High court Advocate,Trade Union Leader, on behalf of the association.

Ms. Aparajitha of II MSW sang a prayer song to invoke God’s blessings. Ms. Shikha Swaraj, General Secretary of SWSA gave the welcome address. Ms. Roopika of II MSW took over as the moderator for the session. She introduced the guest, Sr. Adv. S Balan, High Court Advocate and Trade Union leader.

Sr. Adv. S Balan addressed the gathering on the theme, Labour Codes: Challenges and Prospects (with reference to the recent policies declared by the central government). He talked about the history of workers and how the workers have contributed in developing the nation. However, the individual development of the workers was still lacking, be it economic, political or social. He also highlighted the fact that only 6 per cent of the labour force is legally protected and the rest are still suffering. He talked about the labour force being the backbone of our nation and that we fail to give them the respect and rights that they deserve. He explained the condition of Indian labour by quoting examples from many countries.

After his lecture, he addressed all the questions posed by the students.  This was followed by the concluding remarks given by Prof. Y J Rajendra. The session ended with the vote of thanks by Tenzin Noryang of I BSW.

Social Work Students Association (SWSA) - Inauguration and Investiture Ceremony-2020

The Inauguration and Investiture Ceremony of the Social Work Students Association (SWSA) was held on 19^thSeptember, 2020. The emcee, Ms. Deekshitha welcomed the Chief Guest, Ms. Leila Passah, Independent consulatant, Gender and Development. Following this, there was a prayer song sung by Ms. Kezia. Ms. Diya delivered the welcome address after which, Mr. Harris introduced the chief guest of the ceremony. 

Ms. Leila Passah, is a passionate professional advisor, committed to the development of women and girls across boundaries of race and religion. She talked about her journey of becoming an activist, how her life changed after she joined a women’s movement. She also spoke about a movement known as the ‘If we do not rise’ movement, which focuses on the rights of the trans people, migrants, dalits, etc. She also showed a video related to this movement. She concluded by advising the attendees that social work should go beyond social service, it has to involve the passion for justice and give rise to a transformed society. In the end, she showed a rap song related to this issue.

The programme continued with Prof. Kiran Jeevan presenting a brief introduction to SWSA right from its inception. Ms. Leila Passah officially inaugurated SWSA for the academic year 2020-21. Prof. Viola Noronha, the faculty coordinator of SWSA introduced the core committee and initiated the oath taking ceremony. This was followed by a dance performance by the students of II MSW, a virtual skit by II BSW on cyber bullying and a video message by II MSW on being hopeful. The programme ended with the vote of thanks by Ms. Sherin Priscilla, Vice President of SWSA.

WEBINAR ON CANCER PREVENTION AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE BY SWSA

A webinar on ‘Cancer Prevention and Healthy Lifestyle’ was organized by Social Work Students Association (SWSA) in collaboration with Sanjeevani Life Beyond Cancer (SLBC) on 5^th September 2020. Ms. Florina Singh introduced the resource person, Ms. Sumki Begum to the gathering. At first, the attendees were shown a video about Sanjeevani and how it helps cancer survivors, after which Ms. Seena Kimhoiching of III BSW spoke about SWSA and about SLBC's role in cancer prevention and healthy lifestyle. A prayer song was then sung by Sr. Mary Nisha of II MSW. Ms. Ruby Ahluwalia, Senior Bureaucrat and co-founder of SLBC, addressed the students about the various flagship projects run by the organisation such as the Can Sahyogi, Satori, Can Saarthi, and Can Chetna. The resource person of the session was Ms. Sumki Begum, Senior Programme Coordinator. She highlighted the important aspects of cancer which includes early detection, making a substantial difference in a person’s life diagnosed with cancer, how to reduce the probability of getting cancer; causes of cancer and how one could prevent it by working on some specific factors. The attendees were shown videos which explained how people could work on improving their immunity system. Ms. Sumki also discussed the symptoms and the risk factors of cancer. She talked about how to diagnose cancer in the early stage with a method known as ‘CAUTION’, each letter indicating a particular symptom. With the lack of sleep being one of the risk factors, a video explaining it was shown. After this, the common forms of cancer and the possible changes that can be expected in a person suffering from cancer were highlighted. 

The session also included an online quiz conducted by Mr. Pratik Permey. It was a thrilling game and all the attendees loved it. Following this, there was a question and answer. After all the questions were answered, the winners of the quiz were declared. They were- Athira (1^st  place), Diya (2^nd place) and Thomas and Rayhan (3^rd place).  Following this, Mr. Anil Ahluwalia, cofounder of SLBC, addressed the attendees about the changes in lifestyle that adds to the probability of having cancer, and the role social workers played in spreading awareness. He also talked about the internship opportunities at SLBC. Ms. Sumki then informed the attendees about the digital awareness programmes conducted by SLBC and how it has helped in creating awareness in society. Ms. Seena thanked Ms. Begum for the informative session and also showed a chart summarising the contents of the session. Then, Ms. Viola Noronha, the SWSA coordinator, also appreciated SLBC and Ms. Begum's efforts. Ms. Marryam Jahangir, proposed the vote of thanks and with that the webinar came to an end.

MSW Student Surveys COVID-19 Patients in Hospitals

 

"With the increasing number of covid-19 cases in the city, the lack of facilities has been a major concern, especially for the patients who really can’t afford private treatment. In this context, through the Azim Premji Foundation, I received an eye opening and inspiring opportunity to interview COVID patients, to understand the entire process and their individual experiences in various hospitals in the city. It was easy for me to understand their concerns from a social work perspective as knowledge gained from theory classes as well as from field work experience was put to use. I wish to thank the Department of Social Work for prepping me up for experiences such as this one."-  Rohit Rajiv, (student-18MSW)

Making a Difference in West Bengal

At a time of dual crisis in the state of West Bengal, with the ill effects of both the lockdown and super cyclone 'Amphan', Sanjana Salome Durairaj from III BSW has been reaching out to vulnerable children, daily wage labourers, domestic workers, street dwellers, and even a shelter for the homeless. She has volunteered over the past two months in Kolkata and rural West Bengal in distributing essential rations, hygiene kits, tarpaulin, face masks, stationery kits for children in the rural areas and sanitary napkins, to over 2,000 families, alongside NGOs. One of the noteworthy interventions made was when the student encountered a few children begging on the streets and soon learnt that they were from a deprived community, with a considerable number of people who had taken to begging because of the present scenario. A mask drive was then initiated in this community, during which a need-based assessment was made. Within a week of fundraising, Sanjana and her friends were able to reach out to 155 families in partnership with Stronger Kolkata Initiative. 

"The adversities faced by the marginalised, reinforces the role of a social worker at a time like this. Returning home with a smile, after an entire day of relief work is what a rewarding experience is to me. Every face that beams in gratitude, is my motivation."- Sanjana Salome Durairaj.