Bhubaneswar, March 9: A few youngsters have dedicated a week from their busy schedules to conduct various awareness programmes and provide health care facilities to the underprivileged section of the city.

Around 150 students from six colleges - Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology (CIPET), College of Engineering and Technology, College of Engineering, Ravenshaw University, BJB College and Trident Academy of Technology - have taken the initiative to help the society become a better place.

Titled Prayaash Week, the programme began on the International Women's Day and will continue till March 14.

The idea took shape two years ago when the youths would spend time with the underprivileged people of the society.

'Earlier, we used to visit slums and orphanages to spend time with the kids and distribute chocolates among them and provide necessary items such as sanitary kits for the young girls. Now, we have decided to dedicate an entire week every month to them,' said Ankit Bedbak, a CIPET student, who is also a member of the group.

For the elderly men and women of the old age home at Old Town, it was a rare experience today. They grooved to the beats of chartbuster songs of their time.

'They were very happy to spend time with us. We tried to take them down the memory lane. Their stories and experiences from gave us valuable lessons,' said Sayed Afif, another member of the group.

The group also visited the school for the visually impaired at Satya Nagar. The kids there were indulged in a number of interactive sessions and mind games.

On the first day, the youngsters dedicated their efforts to women. They initiated signature campaigns at two major malls in the city to make people aware of the rights endowed on them by the government.

They distributed pamphlets where the rights for women were described. Charts were also signed and women expressed their thoughts through messages. The charts were aligned to form of a woman's face.

In the future, the group will visit Kujimahi village at Chandaka and conduct health camps and spread awareness about the preventive measures for jaundice and swine flu.

A blood donation camp will also be organised.

Prayaash Week will conclude with providing self-defence training to the students of K.N. Nursing School.