OBJECTIVES

• To provide financial support to needy and deprived people within the campus and society.
• To cultivate a sense of empathy and responsibility among students towards the less fortunate in society.
• To encourage active participation and collaboration among students in philanthropic initiatives.
• To inculcate a humanitarian attitude among the students towards the less privileged in society.

THE CONTEXT

Education serves as the foundation of personal growth, societal progress, and economic prosperity. Ilahia College of Arts And Science, Muvattupuzha is an institution that always keeps social transformation and social justice well above the individual prosperity and success.
At Ilahia College of Arts and Science, education is not only a means to achieve a goal, but also a transforming journey that develops minds, broadens perspectives, and nurtures lifelong learners.
Developing compassion in pupils during their academic years is critical for turning them into compassionate people. This era of learning and growing is an excellent opportunity to instill empathy and kindness.
In our communities, there are many people confronting challenges beyond their means, making it impossible for any single person to provide significant aid on their own. However, just as drops make an ocean, cumulative contributions from a large group can have a huge impact and result in positive change.
Recognizing the privilege and responsibility that come with higher education, our institution has established Snehanidhi as a platform for students to contribute towards societal welfare.Through Snehanidhi, we aim to instill values of empathy, compassion, and social responsibility, nurturing a generation of socially conscious leaders who could make a positive difference in the society. Snehanidhi encourages the students' collective to help their fellow mates as well as other people around them during any crisis/emergencies.

THE PRACTICE

Ilahia College of Arts and Science has a tradition of community engagement and the institution is always committed to the progress and development of the local community. The college has organized a good number of programmes with the purpose of financial and medical support for needy and deprived people.
Snehanidhi is a philanthropic initiative undertaken by the college community to channelize collective efforts towards assisting the underprivileged. By placing donation boxes strategically across campus, we facilitate easy and voluntary contributions from students. It is accompanied by informational posters explaining the purpose and impact of Snehanidhi, which enables the students to actively participate in charitable endeavors. The collected funds are allocated to various humanitarian projects by the authorities.
Through proper fund collection and distribution, the college was successful in helping many needy people and bringing a positive impact on society. Between 2018 and 2023, the college collected Rs. 1, 41,350/- (ONE LAKH FORTY ONE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY RUPEES ONLY) through the Snehanidhi initiative. Of this amount, Rs. 56,230/- (FIFTY SIX THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY ONLY) have been allocated to support various programmes, including:

• To provide financial support to needy and deprived people within the campus and society.
• To cultivate a sense of empathy and responsibility among students towards the less fortunate in society.

As part of our ongoing commitment to community support, the remaining funds will be allocated to students and others in our society who are struggling to build their own homes. This initiative exemplifies the dedication to which the college works to improve the lives of those in need and highlights the college's role in fostering social responsibility and compassion.
Thus, through the Snehanidhi programme, the college has maintained harmony in the lives of its students and the broader community. By sharing and supporting one another, the students are paving the way for a better tomorrow.

EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS

The Snehanidhi initiative has proven to be a success, eliciting a positive impact among the students. Snehanidhi has enabled the students to have a better understanding of the financial constraints of people and be more personally involved with their needs.
Many of our students have benefitted through this programme and have overcome a whole lot of obstacles in their personal lives. The financial help provided by the college proved to be a considerable benefit to the needy people outside the campus too. Furthermore, lending a helping hand to people in need demonstrated the college's dedication to humanitarian efforts. Thus, the programme has notably contributed to the list of accomplishments of the college.

PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED

The implementation and continuation of the initiative met with few challenges. Certain students exhibited reluctance in accepting the funds, due to a sense of false prestige.
And also, the collection of funds was suspended amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a temporary cessation of the programme. Following an extended gap, the initiative was eventually resumed. Apart from these challenges, no further problems were encountered.

RESOURCES REQUIRED

Snehanidhi is an initiative driven by contributions of students. The cooperation and willingness of the students to contribute is the backbone of the programme.