Redefining the Art of Giving

Jamshedpur, Sept 20, 2012 (The Telegraph): Giving is a much richer experience than signing a cheque or donating cash, says XLRI.

The premier B-school proves this point through the Joy of Giving Week from October 2 to 6, the biggest festival of philanthropy in the city, also known as Joyfest, with a curtain raiser on Thursday.

Though XLRI has been hosting Joyfest for the past three years, organisers are trying to extend the definition of giving this year.

For example, they say that instead of watching reruns of TV serials, one can spend that time teaching a child.

New initiatives as part of the campaign aim to promote acts of giving — money, time, skills or just kindness.

XLRI has partnered with around 10 social organisations and 30 schools to make the festival a success.

At the Joyfest unveiling ceremony on XLRI campus, B-school students, faculty and social organisations explained what was on their minds.

“Don’t think of this as an opportunity to discard your stuff but a chance to sacrifice things you love so that those in dire need can get them. Many people think that when it comes to donation, it is about discarding old stuff. But that’s not the point. Nor is giving always about money,” said Father C.L. George of XLRI.

Apart from Vastra Samman, the clothes collection drive, as well as dry ration gifts to the needy, the campaign will have a support education programme for the less privileged.

“Our best achievement through Joy of Giving is to make students realise how privileged they are. Through giving, they learn to treat people with dignity and respect them,” said Loyola School principal Father Victor Misquith.

XLRI students will take up a number of activities which involve nukkad nataks at public places. Students will also participate in Jagriti, where they will tell women whyhealth and hygiene are important, and also invite slum children to their campus. Fiscal and career counselling sessions for Class X students are also on cards.