Enactus India Nationals 2014

#WeAllWin

Enactus India conducted its annual Nationals competition on the 1st and 2nd of July 2014 at Taj Lands End, Mumbai. For each and every member of Enactus SRCC present there, it was a surreal experience.

The competition kicked off with Mr. Richard Rekhy addressing the audience and Mr. Farhan Pettiwala declaring the competition open. The league rounds started with over 37 colleges presenting their projects in front of various dignitaries, from the world of corporates and philanthropists. Projects were judged considering the relevant economic, social and environmental factors.

Enactus SRCC cleared the quarter finals and reached the semi-finals. We were ranked second in our semi final league! The judges provided us with constructive feedback and helped us realize that our efforts have to be channelized more towards ensuring sustainability of the projects.

However, watching our projects being presented in front of corporate leaders and looking at a dazed audience who appreciate your hard work and love for the community, is a feeling that can’t be expressed in words.  Each time the speakers explained the projects and their impact, the audience was left mesmerized.

The nationals’ competition has been a brilliant learning experience and a roller coaster ride of emotions. It has strengthened our resolve to impact more lives and scale up our projects to new levels. Each Enactus team brought a new perspective to entrepreneurial approach and watching their presentations was a great learning experience.

We extend our heartiest congratulations to the Enactus team of Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, who will be representing India at the Enactus World Cup in Beijing. True stands the Enactus motto: when we compete to improve lives, #WeAllWin.

-Tuheena Raj

And the clock begins ticking...

We as  members of Enactus, Shri Ram College Of Commerce, geared ourselves to indulge in yet another daily routine of handling the projects as well as preparing for The Enactus Nationals.

In our first ever meeting post the semester examinations, all of us were divided into separate departments, to get through what seemed like the most grueling yet exhilarating period of the year ( Ironical as it would seem, it was vacation time. Little did we mind, though)

Editing In Action!

With nationals, came in scripting. We imagined endless hours drowned in a sea of laptops straining our brains to get the right words. As well as exhausting all possible options of Microsoft word and challenging google for synonyms, scripting turned out to be a great learning process.( We are far from done yet!)

With each draft that we edited (and we did edit quite a few, a new perspective emerged – giving us a new insight into the projects. Each of us tried to fit in our innumerable experiences in those 1000 words, unwilling to miss out on even the minutest of details.

The coming together of minds.

Trying to do things on our own comes with its own share of anxieties, and we have experienced this, now more than ever. The fear of a mess-up does cause hesitations, but with each task accomplished, confidence levels do soar.

Who knew that a month of nationals preparation will turn out to be a journey of transitions. With all the amazing north campus food, and random chit-chatting sessions we have come a long way.

Almost a year into the society and the best yet to come is a nice thought. Isn't it?

Afterall, It's Nationals Time. We all look forward to the amazing times that await us.

Enough said,

#WeAllWin

- Kanupriya and Anshika

9 Types of People You Will Find in an Enactus Meeting

Every organization has its share of amazing people, some loony, some whacky, some serious, some mysterious and some totally out of this world. Let us have a look at our very own team of Enactus SRCC and decode people. The views expressed in the article are the author’s own and the aim is not to defame or bring down anyone. It’s a fun article and does not aim to stereotype people.

1. The ‘Argumentative Indian’- He is brilliantly fluent, has an impeccable vocabulary and the ability to critically examine situations. He treats group discussions more like debates and has a carefully weighed list of pros and cons of each situation and discussion. He is smart, but might just not know where to stop. Others might take a nap and wake up just in time before he finishes and acknowledge his monologue with an appreciative gesture, even when the majority finds his lingo alien.
2. The ‘Going Round in Circles’- She is a helpless victim of selective hearing. It’s like there are filters at the ends of her eardrum that randomly do a lucky draw of information to be sent to her brain. She is usually clueless, lost and in her own world. It’s not hard to find her repeating something said in the meeting just 5 minutes back. Don’t worry she’ll catch up.
3.  The ‘Can I Leave Early’- They attend the meetings for half an hour, get 10 phone calls during that period and have to sneak out to be able to keep everyone else happy. Their presentations can’t be postponed and their mothers can’t go grocery shopping some other day. They are just too much in demand. They juggle like a maniac and yet make their presence felt.
4. The ‘Dude, How Will This Happen’- She usually hyperventilates and over-thinks. She takes the task at hand way too seriously and if anything even minutely goes wrong, she cribs and cries over it the whole time. She is usually good at her work, but if anything goes wrong, she will blame herself for it endlessly.
5. The ‘Ho Jayega’- He is superbly chilled out, relaxed and usually the one who counsels people of the previous category. All he needs to do is make a few phone calls and life is sorted. He never really lets anything get to his head and is smart enough to handle things even in the worst of conditions.
6. The ‘I Volunteer’- She is like a sponge. She volunteers for everything, does people’s pending work and helps everyone out. You can continue overflowing her with work and she will never complain. She can meticulously juggle several tasks and still manage to do them all perfectly.
7. The ‘Blink and Miss’- His presence in the meetings is so rare that he might be there and you will not even notice him. He shows up once in a blue moon and ends up giving impractical suggestions. You couldn’t care less about his presence.
8. The ‘High Flyer’- She comes up with the wackiest and most ambitious ideas. Not sparing to care about implementation and execution, her ideas make your jaws drop in amazement. She cannot really imagine how that idea can be implemented, but takes the phrase-‘the sky isn’t the limit’ way too seriously.
9. The ‘Perceptive Observer’- They are the multi-tasking geniuses with the capacity to work their brain cells at the speed of light. Their eyes gauge all around the room at every single person and item as they capture it all just the way a 5-year old does when he lands up in Disney Land for the first time. They usually end up being authors of articles like the one you just went through.

Meetings consume a major portion of our time as Enactus SRCC members. We deliberate and debate on issues for hours all together. They are definitely a lot of fun too! But, nonetheless we always take all our meetings very seriously and ensure maximum output in minimum time!

-Tuheena Raj

Destiny's Turn; Enactus happened

The following article finds Arjun Sahai, a member of the Advisory Board jog his memory about the absurd fashion in which he got into Enactus, three years down the memory lane.

Summarising my entire college experience in a few lines is near impossible, but what I can tell you for sure is that college has been a complete opposite to what I expected.

When entering college, I was very focused on what I had to do in the coming years. I was pursuing Chartered Accountancy and knew that I would be giving my exams in the next two years. Therefore I knew this time would completely involve attending tuitions and studying relentlessly. But I was fully prepared for this as I had been warned by a number of seniors about how tough it was going to be.

Arjun numbers the houses in Nekpur to enable
construction of toilets as the women of the village look on.

In school, I had always been involved in a number of activities but I knew that the same wouldn’t happen in college. The love of acting prompted me to audition for The Dramatics Society. Simultaneously, I attended the orientation of another college society known as SIFE (rechristened Enactus later) which basically undertook social entrepreneurship projects ( at that point it sounded like social work to me, something that I had never been interested in). In any case, I submitted my application form and made the interview round.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

I told my seniors that I was pursuing C.A. and  might not be able to give as much time as expected. Much to my surprise I became a part of SIFE. Maybe it was my frank nature and the fact that I was truthful about my commitments since the very beginning, or maybe because I told them I travelled by car so I could easily take them for far off visits and meetings.( In hindsight, probably the second one :P)

However as tuitions started I could not give Dram Soc the time it required and decided to give up acting, though I did perform a few times. I thought of telling my SIFE seniors the same, as I saw no point of being in something I cannot commit to. But something  prevented me and I decided  not to leave SIFE immediately.(I think this was one of the wisest decisions that I made in my college life, not that I have many to compare it with!)

As I continued to work for SIFE, I understood the kind of work we actually did and realised the true meaning of social entrepreneurship. I started loving the visits, the meetings, brainstorming sessions but most importantly the connection you make with your community and how you impact their lives. I started missing tuitions round the clock for SIFE work, savouring every moment of it. It doesn’t mean I left the idea of being a C.A. I would take back-up classes and self study at night to compensate. I simply learned to manage time. And trust me, it wasn’t that tough a task because I was enjoying donning multiple hats.

Everything said, what I expected to be a dull period of my life involving only studying, turned out to be one of the most exciting periods. From taking my C.A. papers to becoming  a part of this amazing society in college, which literally transformed me and the way I think, college had it all.

I can very rightly say that SIFE, now Enactus has given me much more than what I gave it.

Arjun strikes a pose with the team during the Rebranding Event of SIFE to Enactus in college

Now passing out and starting with my articleship is very upsetting but the thought of not being all that active in Enactus, is what pinches me the most.

Finally, not to forget, this entire experience has also been so memorable because of the amazing group of friends I made, both outside and within the society!

- Arjun Sahai

Straight from this year's PR Head, Aanavi Dewan -  He may have entered Enactus by chance as he puts it, but don't be fooled! It was his passion and his leadership, both attributes we strongly seek to emulate, that made Arjun an integral part of the fabric of this society. And the car did help, of course.

An awesome Co-President as he was( Yes! He did work his way up there) we at Enactus wish him all the luck and success in his future endeavors. 

Edited By: Sanket Agarwal and Aanavi Dewan

Au Revoir: A Part and Parcel of Life

As the current academic session comes to a close, we fondly remember the members of the outgoing batch of 2014. They have moulded our projects to help them reach the stage that they are in currently. In the past three years, they have contributed to the organisation in manifold ways, and always with the greatest passion and determination. They might be entering a new phase in their lives soon, but the spirit of Enactus will reside in their lives forever.

Aarushi Prabhakar

Often addressed as the ‘Glamorous Diplomat’, Aarushi never ceases to lose her sense of optimism. In case you find yourself trapped with all doors shut, hers is the contact number you’ll probably keep on your speed dial. After all, she is someone who gives the warmest of hugs!

 Agrata Gupta

All that glitters is surely pink when it comes to Agrata. She may be soft spoken, but she’s best regarded as the ‘Queen of MUNs’. And now she’s headed to Hong Kong University, where she’s expecting to turn into a multi-cuisine expert in no time at all!

Arjun Sahai

Arjun (aka Mr Dependable) can multi-task in all situations. Strict and fun-loving in equal measures, he is the best person to spend an hour with. And just when you think you’ve had a grumpy day, that evergreen smile of his comes to your rescue!

 D.C. Tarun

Tarun plays the role of ‘Most Intimidating Senior’ to perfection, with his stories of motorcycle accidents and hospital rounds. But when you get to know him, you realize that a role is just what it was – he’s a charmer when it comes to dealing with people.

 Krishnanunni S.

Fondly addressed as Kichu, Krishna is the first person we go to when we need a shoulder (or two!). Quite possibly the wittiest senior we know, he’s a master wielder of the English Language.

 Nehal Garg

Nehal is a leader worth following. Her sincerity toward her work is a quality we all seek to emulate. But she’s not without her eccentricities - which is the one health product you’ll always find in her bag? You guessed it! A sanitizer!

 Priyanka Ravishankar

Priyanka is a powerhouse of talent and an expert balancer of all things Personal and Professional. Her imagination touches sky-high, and her weird quirks are all endearing as you continue spending time in her company. Also, you know you have to work your brain cells when she says ‘No Pun Intended’.

 Sambhav Raj

Sambhav is the unparalleled genius, who loves being in front of the camera just as much as behind it. Filled with creativity to the brim, he is also (paradoxically) the most grounded person we know. Fun fact about him: he’s a trend-setter when it comes to clothing, carrying every outfit perfectly!

Shreysi Mehendiratta

Shreysi operates on efficiency levels previously unknown to mortals. She is someone who will guide you through it all, whether it’s your project, or your personal life, or even editing your curriculum vitae! But which is the one place you would never find her in? A Classroom.

 Shruti Paul

Born with a calm demeanour, Shruti is often dubbed the ‘Silent Achiever’. She confronts all situations with a straight-forward attitude. You know she has a thing for writing though, when you receive text messages exceeding all word limits from her!

Tuhina Kapoor

Tuhina dons the role of a serious worker brilliantly, while also managing to be the loudest person in the room when she’s put her mind to it. She’s bold. She’s beautiful. And she manages to grasp every note of the do re mi fa so la ti!

Here's wishing all our Advisory Board Members all the luck for the future! 

-Anshika Gupta and Aanavi Dewan