A group of students were invited to participate in a three-day camp organised by St Xavier’s College on its Park Street campus. Awareness sessions on human trafficking and domestic violence were part of the camp.
The Prayas camp was organised by the National Service Scheme (NSS) and the social work department of the college. It is supported by St Xavier’s College (Kolkata) Alumni Association.
The Prayas camp was inaugurated on Monday. Its theme was: “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high...”
A total of 35 students from Classes IX to XII of the Calcutta Muslim Orphanage for Girls participated in the camp.
Project Prayas is a part of the college-to-village and village-to-college programme of St Xavier’s College where students of the institution visit the schools in rural areas and invite them to the college campus. This is done twice a year to motivate underprivileged school students.
Because of the sweltering weather this year, the college decided to invite students from a Kolkata school.
“I welcome you all to this college today and I hope that you will study hard and continue your education in this college. The door will always be open for you,” said Father Dominic Savio, principal, St Xavier’s College, in his inaugural address.
“We make the visiting students aware of the government schemes and scholarships so that they are aware of their rights,” Father Dominic Savio told The Telegraph.
The session on human trafficking was conducted by Susmita Guha, senior manager of NGO Save the Children. The session on domestic violence was conducted by Sujata Parkrashi Lahiri, a member of the West Bengal Women’s Commission and director of the Xaverian Academy of Dance and Music. Volunteer students held sessions on mental wellness, career and government schemes.