IIMB offers helping hand to transgenders 
Students of the Executive Postgraduate Programme at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore organised ‘Prayaas Day’, a day-long programme to promote inclusivity, at the institute on Sunday.
Members of the transgender community, who participated in the programme, were encouraged to become self-sufficient by starting their own ventures and offered support from IIMB’s start-up cell, the Nadathur S. Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL).
NSRCEL mentor Nagaraja Prakash welcomed transgenders to bring their ideas to the incubation cell.
“The number of start-ups we are supporting and the response we get from them is wonderful. We have helped women come into the field of business by teaching them for three weeks. Of these, 12 were selected and given Rs. 40,000 a month for a year to start their venture. We want to include socially-excluded communities like that of transgenders as well,” said Mr. Prakash. Shashi, a transgender who lives with other members of her community, said she was skeptical of the help offered.
“Everyone talks about helping but nobody does anything when the time comes. Let us see if they do,” she said.
She became tearful speaking about how she ended up with her ‘guru’, a member of the community who took her in. “When I was a child,
everything was fine. But as I grew I started to dress like a girl but my father would not accept it,” said Shashi. “My teachers would make fun of me,” she said.
Shashi earns a living by painting and applying henna during functions. Her parents till date do not want to see her face.
Children from underprivileged communities interacted with transgenders in group activities like poster making and drama.
It was great addressing 6000 students at Karunya University, inaguration Mindkraft 2017. Great to see them attentive for an hour on frugal innovation for smart India and how not to ignore the billion in the process.
#KarunyaUniversity management fest themed frugal innovation for smart #India will make the Prime Minister’s vision a reality
The three Day National Level Techno-Management Fest “Mindkraft 2K17” based on the theme “Frugal Innovation for Smart India” to be held from 23rd-25th March, 2017 was formally inaugurated by Professor Nagaraja Prakasam, Founder Chairman of Native Angel Network, Bangalore on 23rd March 2017 at University premises. He has invested in 20 start-ups and believes in the mantra and according to him”Start-ups should be the focus of India’s strength”. He also narrated the success stories of people of India who had obtained patent for their small innovative ideas and later they were commercialized because of its social importance. The chief guest motivated the students to think simple ideas and translate in to useful innovative products that would benefit the society at large. He also added that in order to sustain in this competitive world students should think of becoming an entrepreneur than looking for employment.
Dr.S.Sundar Manoharan, Vice Chancellor of the university welcomed the gathering and in his speech he stated that the spirit of students in making techno-products is increasing year after year. The Registrar Dr.C.Joseph Kennady introduced about the chief guest by briefing the achievements and accomplishments. Dr.Jibu Thomas faculty coordinator of Mindkraft 17 read the report on Techno Management fest- Mindkraft 17 to the august gatherings.
This is a Techno Management fest attracted 1300 participants from other colleges across India and similarly the event witnessed 500 internal participants too. The highlight of first day was the project exhibition in which more than 70 innovative products were displayed by the student participants. To name a few, air engine bike, smart shower, electricity generating doors, traffic signal priority system, smart parking facilities, sun-friendly umbrella, herbal biscuits, biofertilizers, waste water treatment plant systems, lichen power for removal of biofilm formations in catheter tube, instant coconut milk power, thermotorch and so.
During this exhibition, students had an opportunity to show case not only their talents at the same time they were able read others creative work. This paved a way to kindle their young minds by giving deeper understanding of the subject and also obtained insight into various fields of engineering, science and management. In addition to the research paper presentation (both oral and poster), the other events that are conducted are Futsal street, Aquarush, RC-Car, Auto-expo, Battle Programmer, Food Trivia, Robomaze, Bob the Builder, short film and photography competition.