Disha, a student-led outreach program at IISER Pune, played a crucial role in shaping my undergraduate journey. As an active volunteer in the Resource Team, my passion for teaching found an avenue for expression. I enthusiastically designed and crafted teaching aids and developed sessions, enhancing the educational experience for other Disha programs.
One memorable chapter of my journey with Disha led me to Kule, a village near Pune, under the 'Spread the Smile' initiative. As a teacher, I conducted engaging science experiments for the village's young students, leaving smiles of wonder on their faces. This experience reiterated the significant impact of education, especially in rural India, where social reforms face unique challenges.
Disha's annual foray into nearby villages is a profound reminder of these challenges. Volunteers like me immerse ourselves in village life, reaching out to local schools and fostering interaction with students. Our aim is to ignite inspiration and impart knowledge, making science accessible to these young and eager minds.
SPICMACAY at IISER Pune is a chapter of the Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth - a non-political, nationwide, voluntary movement founded in 1977 by Dr. Kiran Seth, Professor-Emeritus at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. SPIC MACAY's mission is to promote and preserve Indian classical music, dance, and culture, both among the youth and through support for upcoming artists.
As a core team member of the IISER Pune chapter, we successfully hosted several classical music concerts, featuring Dr. N Rajam, Pt. Kaivalyakumar Gurav and many more, drawing audiences of up to 600 attendees. I had the privilege of leading a dedicated team responsible for managing event media and recording. Post-lockdown, we organized a spectacular overnight concert called 'Parijaat', featuring a lineup of five artists and their accompanists.
Being a part of SPIC MACAY IISER Pune has been a transformative experience for me. It introduced me to the enchanting world of Indian classical music, to the extent that I am now dedicated to learning the tabla, an Indian percussion instrument.
TEDx is a grassroots initiative aligned with TED's mission to spread "ideas worth sharing." It empowers local communities worldwide through TEDx events.
I, along with a team of 12 founding members, organized the first-ever TEDxIISERPune event. Our event revolved around the theme "CAPTURE." TEDxIISERPune aspired to encapsulate the dreams and ambitions of India's youth by capturing their imaginations and fostering inspiration.
Along with being the founding member of the event, I headed the Design Team. We undertook a vital role in crafting content for event promotion and sponsorship. This included crafting persuasive sponsorship brochures, visually engaging digital and offline posters, and designing team T-shirts. Our creative contributions were instrumental in the event's remarkable success.