“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”-The Lorax by Dr. Seuss.
With this conviction Arpan, the social club of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (RGIPT), was founded in 2009. The club evolved over the years taking tiny steps to become an instrument of social change. Today it consists of hundreds of devoted student volunteers who care enough to believe they can make the world a better place.
The prime objective of the club is to encourage young children to read and write. Arpan volunteers visit the Gyan Arpan Teaching Centre, a primary school in the city of Jais every day to impart education to the children. They also prepare the students for admission to prestigious government schools, hold regular exams, and reward the meritorious candidates. Free stationery and books are also provided to all the children by the student volunteers.
On the occasion of Indian Republic Day every year, Arpan organizes a science fair. Nearly three hundred students from the nearby schools attend the event. The students of RGIPT put up various science models showcasing the basics of science and its utility in day-to-day lives. The club also organizes several cultural events and activities for the children to instill enthusiasm and showcase their creativity. In addition to the educational initiatives, social service events are also conducted, such as cloth and mattress distributions, blood donation camps, and cleanliness awareness campaigns.
There is a huge sense of satisfaction which prevails among the students who volunteer. They credit the director and faculty members of RGIPT for supporting the cause and encouraging the maximum participation of all the students.