Vidya-Setu A Tribute for Education by Dr. Vijay Page

Preamble
The aim of education is primarily to prepare a student for life. University education further aims at
shaping the youth to conquer societal challenges and build a vibrant and enlightened civil society. In our
country, institutions of higher learning were founded as early as 7th Centrury BC (Takshila/Nalanda) to
evolve, develop and deliver knowledge to build a learning society, a tradition nourished and fiercely
guarded by modern centers of learning including the universities of Mumbai, Madras and Calcutta. For the
last 150 years, they have shaped millions of professionals and academicians who have richly contributed to
the economic and social upliftment of our country.
However, as the chasm between the haves and the have-nots appears to be causing concern, the role
and responsibility of academicians and centers of learning have assumed new dimensions. It has now been
conclusively held that the gap between the rich and the poor is basically the 'knowledge gap'. Though
technological advancements like the World Wide Web and global networking have brought us closer to one
another, it is critical to ensure extensive participatory exchange and interaction between the knowledge
haves and have-nots in our midst. Only through their bonding and fusion can we hope to build an
enlightened civil society.
Therefore, the United Nations evolved and adopted Millennium Development Goals (MDG) to mark
the 21st Century covering a wide range of critical concerns like: poverty alleviation, education, health, etc.
Through public and private partnerships and active participation of the NGOs, the UN hopes to reach out
to the global society. Though the goals are to be accomplished in two decades, the progress has been
insignificant in this decade. One cannot fault the mission or the message of the UN (MDG) for this lapse,
but there appears to be a strong case for integrating the youth medium into the program, besides
broadening the interface, to build passion for pro-active participation for societal upliftment.
Our university, while celebrating its 150th year of service, has taken upon itself the onerous task of
bridging the knowledge divide in our society through initiatives, which will reach out to the weakest
segments. They will galvanize the knowledge workers of the university, to reach out, especially to the
underprivileged sections and bring them in the main stream through empowerment and capacity building
by deployment of soft skills. The approach, content, methodology and delivery of this program focuses on
building small successful models driven by care, concern and compassion of the knowledge workers to
shape a mass movement, which will elevate the weakest segments of the society. This effort will be
integrated into the heart of the structured learning system with students and faculty leading the way.
This is our humble tribute to the society, which has richly contributed to the metamorphosis of our
university. A celebration of awareness, this is our offering "VIDYA- SETU" - a bridge spanning the
knowledge divide.
Dr. Vijay Khole
Vice - Chancellor
University of Mumbai
Prof. Vijay Page
Director
MET League of Colleges
Knowledge bridge for societal bonding

Vidya Setu
Objective :
To evolve and deliver participatory civil society enrichment programs so as to nurture and
enhance the quality of life through interventions by students and faculty of the university by deploying
tools like, information sharing using IT, networking, dynamic training, skill development, counselling,
experiential learning and other soft skills, thereby bonding all the stakeholders for promoting
community welfare, harmony, sharing and caring, thus elevating knowledge economy to sublime levels
and in the process shaping the youth as responsible global citizens.
Core Program :
Our society like many others the world over, presents a multi-layered class structure with the rich
and the poor separated by an ocean of ignorance, lack of opportunities and aspirations. Undoubtedly,
the state and market mechanism are continuously engaged, in fine-tuning governance to build and
sustain the liberalized economic entity. But, the dice seems to be heavily loaded against the poor and
weaker sections of the society. A deeper analysis of the successes and failures of our system reveals,
that apart from the inputs of hardware and resources, economic sustainability and growth are
primarily driven by the software and soft skills - the knowledge component. There have been
numerous successes in our country where with the same availability of opportunities and resources,
a handful of societies and regions have progressed leaps and bounds. Driven by passion, they
surmounted obstacles and shortages through knowledge and skill set. The process blessed the
beneficiaries, while the change agents attained nirvana of sorts.
The Vidya Setu therefore has been designed keeping in view the benefit and enrichment of both
deliverer and the receiver. On one hand, the missions are meant to help the students and faculty of
the university to reach out to the weaker sections of the neighbourhood through knowledge sharing
and deployment of soft skills. On the other hand, this process of intensive and extensive interaction
with the broad strata of the society will enrich the learning of the academia. It will eventually shape
and mould the students as chosen members of the civil society, which they inhabit and will inherit.
The youth will undoubtedly bring in passion and a breath of fresh air and thought, which will
galvanise the forces of development and hopefully build a seamless enlightened society with equal
opportunities for all.
1|| ||

2|| ||
Plan of action
Broadly, this involves the following components:
„ Principal Missions
„ Methodology and Focus
„ Implementation
„ Assessments and Rewards
„ Logistic support and facilitation
Principal Missions :
The 15 principal missions proposed to be launched are as follows:-
1. Mission to Eradicate Hunger and Poverty
2. Mission to Promote Universal Primary Education
3. Mission to Promote Gender Equity and Women Empowerment
4. Mission to Reduce Child Mortality
5. Mission to Improve Maternal Health
6. Mission to Combat HIV. AIDS/ Malaria and Others
7. Mission to Ensure Environmental Sustainability
8. Mission for Popularization of Fitness and wellness including Sports and Yoga
9. Mission for Reaching out to Physically/ Mentally handicapped persons [Differently Abled]
10. Mission to Nurture and foster dignity and respect to Elders through study & practice of
Geriatric Care [Senior Citizens]
11. Mission for Providing Relief, Counseling and Hand holding to School dropouts/ street urchins
and other underprivileged children [ The Economically needy category]
12. Mission for Reaching out to high risk, high work pressure/ stress groups like Defence/ Police/
Fire fighters/ local train/bus drivers to provide emotional relief / counseling/ etc. to this High
Stress Category.
13. A mission to promote universal cross cultural understanding through culture tourism and
exchange showcasing the city as Global Tourism & Brotherhood hub.
14. Mission to Generate dynamic societal participation in development of Emergency response
systems and networking vital for Disaster Management
15. Mission to Develop Global Partnership for Development

3|| ||
Missions from 1 to 7 and 15 are based on, 'Millennium Development Goals' promoted by the
United Nations and universally adopted to be achieved in the first quarter of this century. They are
aimed at development of an enlightened civil society worldwide. The missions from 9 to 14 have been
evolved so as to reach out to the community and ensure bonding of society with our
stakeholders.Under each of the above missions, ten sub-missions are proposed which will be focused
on action areas to be developed through participation of students and faculty, thus reaching out to the
STAKEHOLDERS of our education system. In all there will be totally One Hundred and Fifty new
missions proposed to be launched by the university in the service of community.
METHODOLOGY & FOCUS :
Right from inception, focus of the program would be on identification of the weaker, neglected
and under-privileged members of the community located preferably in the 3-4 km. radius of the
institution who would form the core of the beneficiaries to be covered under the respective mission
head. Having located the critical segment, identification of their needs with regard to knowledge gap
inhibiting their sustenance and growth would be done through benchmark surveys. Then with the
help of faculty and subject experts, tools and learning inputs as well as information sharing will be
deployed and delivered to the beneficiaries. Help support and participation of NGOs, voluntary
organizations, facilitators, neighbouring educational institutions including primary and secondary
schools will be sought to achieve the mission objectives. Thus, the emphasis of the program is on
empowerment and capacity building through training, counseling, skill development and other soft
skills including IT so as to build courage and confidence alongwith competence of the beneficiaries.
Care will be taken to resist access to instant success models involving doling out funds and goodies as
they have been found to be counter productive and harmful to the society. In addition help and
support of technology using IT and knowledge sharing and exchange platform will be taken so as to
improve efficacy of the program.
All these sub-missions will be delivered to the society on the following lines :
A. STAKEHOLDERS OF THE MISSION PROGRAM:- STUDENTS/TEACHERS/
ACADEMICIANS/INSTITUTIONS - These stakeholders of the university would reach
out to the society through students and faculty to serve with care, concern, compassion
and love.

4|| ||
a. AREA OF OPERATION:- Each institution will sensitise its students/faculty on the
principal missions, thus forming the core of implementation team. This will be extended
to the neighboring school children/institutions, thereby ensuring complete coverage of
the area covering 3-4 km. radius. Besides, the institution may add either local or
outstation areas so as to work with other interested organizations and communities.
b. PARTICIPANTS:- The program will be compulsorily implemented by students and
faculty of each affiliated institution of the university, commencing in the 1st semester of
the first year in the under graduate program and will continue till the completion of
graduation. The registration of students will be done by registering minimum of five
students per sub mission at the undergraduate level. Thus there will be a minimum of
750 students for every institution. They will be guided by minimum of six full time faculty
members, consisting of one coordinator and five mission controllers who will each
monitor three mission. In case of post-graduate institutions, the number can be
proportionately adjusted, depending upon the strength.
IMPLEMENTATION :
The main action areas and delivery platforms for reaching out to the stakeholders will focus on
leveraging dynamic training, skill development, counselling, demonstrative and other learning tools
through students and faculty interaction. This will involve -
„ Induction/Training Program for faculty, who will deliver the same to the students
„ Promoting the missions among the stakeholders
„ Registering interested mission beneficiaries willing to participate in the program.
„ Delivering the program to the beneficiaries.
„ Program review and impact assessment.
„ Feedback, research and archives
After the INDUCTION of the faculty, in the first year students will be trained in the actual training
and delivering of the mission program. Initially, the second year students will be registering
participants, while the third year students will try to reach out the stakeholders to popularize the
missions. From the second half of the academic year, the first year students will continue mission
implementation in their chosen areas for the next two-and-half year. In the last semester of the
undergraduate program the students will undertake program review and impact assessment of the

5|| ||
beneficiaries they have covered in the four semesters and submit a final paper of their achievements.
The post-graduate students of the university will be primarily concerned with areas like assessment
and review of mission program, monitoring and course correction and impact assessment. A paper of
the work done by each post graduate student will be submitted to the university towards completion
of the program.
ASSESSMENTS AND REWARDS :
Each student and faculty will contribute a minimum of three hours per week or sixty hours per
semester to this program. For this contribution, the student input will be assessed by the internal
faculty. At the end of the semester through joint evaluation of the mission coordinator and the
Principal of the institution, maximum of one hundred marks per semester may be awarded to each
student. Thus every marksheet of the student of the University of Mumbai will carry a new column
of subject Vidya Setu I to VI. The same will be applicable to post graduate students as well. This
system of assessment and allotment of marks will be fine tuned and implemented subject to the
consideration of the Academic Council and the regulatory mechanism of the university.
There will be at least one hundred and fifty merit awards offered by University to the students
and fifteen awards to faculty for best participatory effort every year. In addition the fifty outstanding
institutions will also be rewarded with trophies etc.
LOGISTIC SUPPORT AND FACILITATION :
The program will be monitored by the Directorate External Education of the University. It will
seek funding support from donors/industry/UGC/GOI, to raise and allocation of Rs. 1 crore in the first
year, which will be subsequently raised if needed. Necessary support of NSS, NGOs and voluntary
organizations will be sought to ensure speedier implementation of the program.
Thus, the entire mission program would be aimed at uplifting the weakest section of our society
through deployment of soft skills so as to help build momentum for generating mass movement, since
this would serve as a model and motivator to the upper strata of the society to reach out and attain
higher levels of economic prosperity and growth. The whole process itself will prove the belief of the
poet who wrote:-
“As one lamp lights another nor grows less,
Nobleness enkindleth nobleness.”

6|| ||
M
ISSIO
Now we shall briefly present the 150 missions grouped under each
focus area and present the desired impact. Here, it must be noted that
though it is assumed that each sub-mission will be addressed by at least five
students, thus offering 50 students per area i.e. a minimum of 750 students
per institution per year, the program coverage and resultant impact may
not follow a linear function. What is attempted here is initiation of a
dynamic process of change and quantification if any, may not reflect the
true picture. It is needless to state that development and growth are
reflected in the quality of life and not necessarily in metric tones or calories
consumed. Therefore the reference to numbers is purely to indicate the
quantitative dimension, which has to be read and judged in conjunction
with the impact it will generate on the quality of life of the poor.

Mission: To Eradicate Hunger and Poverty
[Missions 1 - 10]
Objective :
To identify critical group of beneficiaries from the poorest section of the community in the
neighbourhood of the institution through an assessment of the micro economic parameters, while
keeping in view practical issues of access, mobility and perception to change and betterment, and
evolve and deliver appropriate needbased soft skills training to them so to sharpen and improve the
employability of the focus group through E-empowered information sharing, knowledge building,
counselling and support from facilitators and stakeholders.
Process & Phases :
(This is a part of the Millennium Development Goals adopted by the United Nations for
universal compliance by 2020.)
7|| ||
MMiissssiioonn,, SSuubb-MMiissssiioonnss && SSttuuddeenntt TTeeaammss [[HHPP 11-1100]]
HP1 Critical beneficiary identification - with benchmark survey
HP2 Facilitate & Deliver need based Training programs for self
sustenance & Leveraging network strength for work options
agencies
HP3 Link up & Leverage Agencies for employment generation &
promotion
HP4 Link up & Leverage Agencies for financial assistance & marketing
HP5 Set up Help Desk, Counselling & Information sharing hub
HP6 Develop web support System for data storage, management &
online training
HP7 Identify & develop seasonal/ exceptional job opportunities with web
support
HP8 Networking with Ex-Servicemen/ public servants/ citizen groups/
etc. for synergistic action
HP9 Set up pilots for each micro area of assistance to deliver
customized solutions for poverty eradication.
HP10 Develop idea exchange forum for promoting creativity and out of
box thinking & action for poverty alleviation

Impact :
While each locality would present a unique model for development, the benchmark survey
followed by impact surveys at periodic intervals will help impact assessment. It will also help in
reshaping and redesigning the approach and tools so as to ensure rapid coverage of the critical group.
It may be difficult to quantify the beneficiaries of such a program but it will be safe to assume that this
mission group will be able to reach out to a hundred families in a year and facilitate upward mobility
of at least half the number per annum. This number will gradually go up manifold as more agencies
join the program and the community starts receiving the benefits of the intervention. Through this
process it is safe to assume that even with sustained input of fifty students per year, over 1000 families
would be benefited under this program in a decade.
Review & Monitoring :
The faculty concerned with the mission with support and assistance from the post graduate
students and institutions like TISS and Maharashtra Labour Institute, etc., will conduct a pre and post
program audit. This will help shaping the outcome of the program as well as help assess the student's
performance to facilitate academic evaluation.
8|| ||

Mission: To promote Universal Primary Education
[Missions 11 to 20]
Objective :
To identify critical group of illiterates both young and adults, belonging to the weaker section of
the community in the neighbourhood of the institution by conducting a benchmark survey with the
help of schools in the proximity with focus on illiterate parents of the school children and housewives,
while keeping in view practical issues of access, mobility and perception to change and betterment,
and evolve and deliver appropriate literacy and functional literacy programmes besides launching a
school children enrolment drive with the help and support of other NGOs and popularize the mission
through E-empowered information sharing, knowledge building, counselling and support from
facilitators and stakeholders.
Process & Phases :
* SDWT - Self Directed Work Team
9|| ||
MMiissssiioonn,, SSuubb-MMiissssiioonnss && SSttuuddeenntt TTeeaammss [[PPEE 11- 1100]]
PE1 Critical beneficiary identification - with bench mark survey
PE2 Facilitate & Deliver literacy training program Leveraging network
strength for extensive & intensive coverage
PE3 Link up & Leverage Agencies focusing on working male literacy
PE4 Link up & Leverage Agencies focusing on working female,
housewife & senior citizens literacy
PE5 Set up Help Desk, Counselling & Information sharing hub especially
school dropouts
PE6 Set up SDWT* to link up & leverage agencies for delivering Survival
skills to school children/ teenagers
PE7 Link up & leverage agencies for delivering 8 Habits, cleanliness &
hygiene to teenagers
PE8 Set up pilots for each micro area of assistance so as to offer
models for follow up
PE9 Develop web support System for data storage, management &
online training
PE10 Develop idea exchange forum for promoting creativity and out of
box thinking & action for poverty alleviation

Impact :
Since high levels of illiteracy are present among the poorer strata of the society the mission will
focus on identifying whether children as well as their parents need functional literacy skills. In this
process the local networking with primary and secondary schools will help in conducting benchmark
surveys and identification of the beneficiary groups of young children and illiterate parents. This will
be helped by a school enrolment drive and reach out to illiterate parents, especially to housewives.
Functional literacy training programmes launched with help of NGOs and voluntary agencies will help
generate more interest in the mission. By forming Self Directed Work Teams (SDWT) with
participation of NGOs and students, it would be feasible to achieve mobilization of 100 beneficiary
families every year, thus easily achieving the figure of 1000 beneficiary families in a decade, depending
upon the ground situation.
The critical support of primary schools, NGOs and other agencies is vital for success of the
mission. Therefore faculty concerned with the mission review and support will have to keep this fact
in view while conducting a pre and post program audit with the help of TISS and other PG evaluators.
This will help shaping outcome of the program as well as help assess the student's performance to
facilitate academic evaluation
10|| ||

Mission: To Promote Gender Equity and Women Empowerment
[Missions 21- 30]
Objective :
To identify critical group of women including housewives, single mothers, working women and
widows, belonging to the weaker section of the community in the neighbourhood of the institution by
conducting a benchmark survey with the help of schools in the proximity with focus on parents of the
school children, while keeping in view practical issues of access, mobility and perception to change
and betterment, and evolve and deliver appropriate literacy and functional literacy programmes
besides offering counseling and employment opportunities including entrepreneurship promotion
through self help groups like Lijjat/Annapurna mahila support groups etc. with the help and support of
other NGOs and popularize the mission through E-empowered information sharing, knowledge
building, counselling and support from facilitators and stakeholders.
Process & Phases:
11|| ||
MMiissssiioonn,, SSuubb-MMiissssiioonnss && SSttuuddeenntt TTeeaammss [[WWEE 11-1100]]
WE1 Critical beneficiary identification- with benchmark survey
WE2 Facilitate & Deliver Training programs aimed at developing self
reliance & confidence
WE3 Link up & Leverage Agencies for providing training in functional
education
WE4 Link up & Leverage Agencies for providing training in personal
finance/marketing/ CRM areas
WE5 Set up Help Desk, Counselling & Information sharing hub including
work and family issues
WE6 Link & Leverage Agencies for providing training in micro business/
entrepreneurship
WE7 Set up SDWT* to link up & leverage Agencies for participating in
women welfare associations and programs
WE8 Set up pilots for each micro area of assistance to deliver customized
solutions
WE9 Develop web support System for data storage, management &
online training
WE10 Develop idea exchange forum for promoting creativity and out of
box thinking & action for providing relief

Impact :
The mission will focus on identifying women, young and old alike especially those who are
illiterate and need functional literacy skills. In this process the local networking with voluntary women
self-help groups like Lijjat and others, will help in identifying critical beneficiary group and deliver
programs. Their involvement right from conducting benchmark surveys to the delivery of programs
will significantly improve response and coverage of the mission. By forming Self Directed Work Teams
(SDWT) with participation of NGOs and students, it would be feasible to achieve mobilization of 100
beneficiary families every year thus easily achieving the figure of 1000 beneficiary families in a decade,
depending upon the ground situation.
Women empowerment and promoting gender equity is a difficult task in poorer sections of the
society since the exploitation levels are very high. But with multi-level participation of voluntary
agencies, success can be achieved. Therefore review will focus on ensuring wider voluntary agency
participation for mission accomplishment. Therefore faculty concerned with the mission review and
support will have to keep this fact in view while conducting a pre and post program audit. This will
help shaping the outcome of the program as well as help assess the student's performance to facilitate
academic evaluation
12|| ||

Mission: To reduce Child Mortality
[Missions 31 - 40]
Objective :
To identify critical group of mothers with new born kids or pregnant ones, young and middle-aged
women including housewives, single mothers, working women, belonging to the weaker section of
help of maternity care centers/hospitals in the proximity, while keeping in view practical issues of
access, mobility and perception to change and betterment, and evolve and deliver appropriate child
and mother care, health and hygiene inputs with the help of NGOs and voluntary support from
Medical professionals and offer counseling and employment opportunities including critical medicare,
help and inputs from Pharma companies and popularize the mission through media based information
sharing, confidence building, counselling and support from facilitators and stakeholders.
Process & Phases :
MMiissssiioonn,, SSuubb-MMiissssiioonnss && SSttuuddeenntt TTeeaammss [[CCMM 11-1100]]
CM1 Critical beneficiary identification - focusing on women in labour &
children below 5 years.
CM2 Facilitate & Deliver need based Training programs for child/ mother
health hygiene & preventive care
CM3 Link up & Leverage Agencies seeking critical beneficiary participation
in K.G. education
CM4 Link up & Leverage Agencies for including NGOs for offering cash/
kind support to the critical beneficiaries
CM5 Set up Help Desk, Counselling & Information sharing hub
CM6 Help set up SDWT* as early response mechanism for critical child
health support
CM7 Help set up direct action group for abandoned & wayward children
CM8 Set up pilots for each micro area of assistance to deliver customized
solutions
CM9 Develop web support System for data storage, management & online
relief
CM10 Develop idea exchange forum for promoting creativity and out of
13|| ||

Impact :
This mission focuses on a highly delicate and sensitive issue concerning every household.
Therefore mixed student groups especially girls will have to be trained for overcoming the initial
resistance from the weaker sections of the community to identify the focus group. In this process the
local networking with voluntary groups especially the maternity care hospitals and specialists is critical
for identifying beneficiary group and deliver programs. Their involvement right from conducting
benchmark surveys to the delivery will significantly improve response and coverage of the mission. By
forming Self Directed Work Teams (SDWT) with participation of Medicos, NGOs and students, it
would be feasible to achieve mobilization of 100 beneficiary families every year thus easily achieving
the target of 1000 beneficiary families in a decade, depending upon the ground situation.
In this mission group induction of trained students working side by side with medical professionals
and voluntary agencies right from focus group identification to the delivery of mission programmes is
vital. Only through multi-level participation of mother care agencies and support of medical fraternity,
success can be achieved. Therefore review will focus on ensuring wider voluntary agency participation
with mother care agencies for mission accomplishment. The faculty concerned with the mission
review and support will have to keep this fact in view while conducting the pre and post program
audit. This will help shaping the outcome of the program as well as help assess the student's
performance to facilitate academic evaluation.
14|| ||

Mission: To Improve Maternal Health [Missions 41 - 50]
Objective :
To identify critical group of mothers with new born kids or pregnant ones, young and middle-aged
women including housewives, single mothers, working women, belonging to the weaker section of
help of maternity care centers/hospitals in the proximity, while keeping in view practical issues of
access, mobility and perception to change and betterment, and evolve and deliver appropriate child
and mother care, health and hygiene inputs with the help of NGOs and voluntary support from
Medical professionals and offer counseling and employment opportunities including critical medicare,
help and inputs from Pharma companies and popularize the mission through media based information
sharing, confidence building, counselling and support from facilitators and stakeholders.
Process & Phases:
15|| ||
MMiissssiioonn,, SSuubb-MMiissssiioonnss && SSttuuddeenntt TTeeaammss [[MMHH 11-1100]]
MH1 Critical beneficiary identification - focusing on women in labour &
post pregnancy period - with benchmark survey
MH2 Facilitate & Deliver need based Training programs for child/ mother
health hygiene & preventive care
MH3 Link up & Leverage Agencies seeking critical beneficiary
participation in mother care & disorders & liaise with Celebrities/
brand ambassadors/ etc. to seek their support for this cause
MH4 Link up & Leverage Agencies for including NGOs for offering cash/
kind support to the critical beneficiaries especially to honour
outstanding and meritorious beneficiaries / felicitate/ display societal
reverence for their achievements
MH5 Set up Help Desk, Counselling & Information sharing hub
MH6 Help set up SDWT* as early response mechanism for critical maternal
health support
MH7 Help set up direct action group for abandoned & discarded mothers
MH8 Set up pilots for each micro area of assistance to deliver customized
solutions
MH9 Develop web support System for data storage, management &
online relief
MH10 Develop idea exchange forum for promoting creativity and out of

Impact :
This mission is almost parallel to the Mission Group 4 which focuses on the highly delicate and
sensitive issue concerning the child and mother care which is an integral part of every household.
Therefore the student teams of both Group 4 and Group 5 will have to work together sharing their
network of hospitals and medicare fraternity willing to offer voluntary input for the mission programs.
Mixed student groups especially girls will have to be trained for overcoming the initial resistance from
the weaker sections of the community to identify the focus group. In this process the local networking
with voluntary groups especially the maternity care hospitals and specialists is critical for identifying
beneficiary group and deliver programmes. Their involvement right from conducting benchmark
surveys to the delivery of programmes will significantly improve response and coverage of the mission.
By forming Self Directed Work Teams (SDWT) with participation of Medicos, NGOs and students, it
would be feasible to achieve mobilization of 100 beneficiary families every year thus easily achieving
he target of 1000 beneficiary families in a decade, depending upon the ground situation. Since the
activities of Mission Group 4 and 5 are closely linked, joint mission groups may be formed for smooth
operation.
As this group is linked with Mission Group 4 we have to jointly review the mission operation. Here
again success will depend upon induction of trained students working side by side with medical
professionals and voluntary agencies right from focus group identification to the delivery of mission
programmes is vital. Only through multi-level participation of mother care agencies and support of
medical fraternity, success can be achieved. Therefore review will focus on ensuring wider voluntary
agency participation with mother care agencies for mission accomplishment. The faculty concerned
with the mission review and support will have to keep this fact in view while conducting the pre and
post program audit. This will help shaping the outcome of the program as well as help assess the
student's performance to facilitate academic evaluation.
16|| ||

Mission: To Combat HIV. AIDS/ Malaria and Others
[Missions 51 - 60]
Objective :
To identify critical group of beneficiaries belonging to the weaker section of the community in the
neighbourhood of the institution especially those residing in slums and shanty towns/ unhygienic
conditions, by conducting a benchmark survey with the help of health care centers/hospitals in the
proximity, while keeping in view practical issues of access, mobility and perception to change and
betterment, and evolve and deliver appropriate child, mother and adult care, health and hygiene
inputs with the help of NGOs and voluntary support from Medical professionals and offer counseling
and expert advice where necessary, including critical medicare, help and inputs from Pharma
companies and popularize the mission through media based information sharing, confidence building,
counselling and support from facilitators and stakeholders.
Process & Phases :
17|| ||
MMiissssiioonn,, SSuubb-MMiissssiioonnss && SSttuuddeenntt TTeeaammss [[AADD 11-1100]]
AD1 Critical beneficiary identification - with benchmark survey
AD2 Facilitate & Deliver appropriate Training programs for creating
disease awareness, preventive care, early detection & curative inputs
AD3 Link up & Leverage Agencies for conducting mass awareness &
treatment camps & liaise with Celebrities/ brand ambassadors/ etc. to
seek their support for this cause
AD4 Link up & Leverage Agencies offering financial assistance, relief
through use of latest technology support
AD5 SSet up Help Desk, Counselling & Information sharing hub
AD6 Launch of STWD* / beneficiary forum for seeking relief from work
discrimination/ societal taboo
AD7 Identify & develop linkages with rehabilitation and societal care
centers for community acceptance & support
AD8 Set up pilots for each micro area of assistance to deliver customized
solutions
AD9 Develop web support System for data storage, management &
online relief
AD10 Develop idea exchange forum for promoting creativity and out of
box thinking & action

Impact :
This mission pertains to the preventive and curative regime critical for developing a healthy
society. Therefore in conjunction with Mission Group 4 and 5 this group will have to work jointly
sharing their network of hospitals and medicare fraternity willing to offer voluntary input for the
mission programs. Mixed student groups will have to be trained for overcoming the initial resistance
from the weaker sections of the community to identify the focus group. In this process the local
networking with voluntary groups especially health care centers/ hospitals and specialists is critical for
identifying beneficiary group and deliver programmes. Their involvement right from conducting
benchmark surveys to the delivery of programmes will significantly improve response and coverage of
the mission. By forming Self Directed Work Teams (SDWT) with participation of Medicos, NGOs and
students, and organizing mass awareness and treatment camps, it would be feasible to achieve
mobilization of 100 beneficiary families every year thus easily achieving the target of 1000 beneficiary
families in a decade, depending upon the ground situation. Since the activities of Mission Groups 4, 5
and 6 are closely linked, joint mission groups may be formed for smooth operation and the impact
may be significant by close networking of these mission groups.
This group performance is linked with Mission Groups 4, 5 since health and hygiene are closely
linked with the overall family health situation. Hence we have to jointly review these missions. Though
the mission success will depend upon induction of trained students working side by side with medical
professionals and voluntary agencies right from inception, arranging common health care and
awareness camps will be critical for success of these missions. Thus while reviewing the performance
of these groups, a holistic view of common efforts made to enhance the over all public health, hygiene
awareness profile will be necessary. Through multi-level participation of health care agencies,
voluntary agencies and support of medical fraternity, success can be achieved. Therefore review will
focus on ensuring wider voluntary agency participation with other health care agencies for mission
accomplishment. The faculty concerned with the mission review and support will have to keep this
fact in view while conducting the pre and post program audit. This will help shape the outcome of the
program as well as help assess the student's performance to facilitate academic evaluation.
18|| ||

Mission: To Ensure Environmental Sustainability
[Missions 61 - 70]
Objective :
To identify and focus critical intervention areas for control of local environmental degradation,
polluting sources and agencies through environmental impact assessment studies, with the help of
voluntary groups and regulatory agencies, thereby evolve and organize environmental damage control
awareness programs and identify and facilitate execution of micro damage control and improvement
measures so as to generate a wider movement to facilitate mass societal participation, drawing help
and inspiration from voluntary agencies including environmental watch groups and statutory agencies.
Process & Phases :
19|| ||
MMiissssiioonn,, SSuubb-MMiissssiioonnss && SSttuuddeenntt TTeeaammss [[EESS 11-1100]]
ES1 Identify & focus on critical present & potential sources of Environmental
damage to the neighborhood - with reference to the local situation
through a benchmark survey
ES2 Facilitate & Deliver mass awareness & Training programs for creating
community commitment to environment
ES3 Link up & Leverage Agencies involved in environmental damage control
& sustainability for focused ground work in project area
ES4 Link up & Leverage Agencies offering financial assistance & technology
support services especially to honour outstanding and meritorious benefi
ciaries / felicitate/ display societal reverence for their achievements
ES5 Set up Help Desk, Counselling & Information sharing hub
ES6 Set up SDWT* for environmental watch & monitoring
ES7 Set up SDWT* for offering direct relief to persons affected by
environmental damage
ES8 Set up pilots for each micro area of assistance to deliver customized
solutions for environmental sustainability
ES9 Develop web support System for data storage, management & online
training
ES10 Develop idea exchange forum for promoting creativity and out of box
thinking & action to ensure environmental sustainability

20|| ||
Impact :
This mission is directed to focus on improvement of environs and check polluting and eco-system
damaging sources in the neighborhood. Student groups will have to be trained for overcoming the
initial resistance from the weaker sections of the community living in sub human conditions so as to
convince them to eliminate the sources of pollution and eco-system damage. Thus through a close
interaction with the local residents and mass awareness drives involving voluntary agencies, eco-watch
groups and other environmental control, public and private agencies, the mission group will be able
to identify and strategize interventions. Their involvement right from conducting initial surveys to the
delivery of programmes will significantly improve response and coverage of the mission. By forming
Self Directed Work Teams (SDWT) with participation of environment watch groups, NGOs and
students, and organizing mass awareness programmes, it would be feasible to achieve mobilization of
100 beneficiary families every year thus easily achieving the target of 1000 beneficiary families in a
decade, depending upon the ground reality.
Assessment of this mission group performance is a complex affair since the environmental damage
and polluting sources are a result of long years of neglect and mass abuse by the weaker section of
society. Identifying focus areas for intervention and controlling eco-system damage touches delicate
social issues and therefore only through mass awareness program highlighting the damage caused by
pollution and eco-system degradation it may be possible to design and implement suitable
interventions. Here again the progress on ground may be slow, therefore patience and dogged follow-
up from the students may bring positive results in due course. The mission success will depend upon
induction of committed students working side by side with environmental watch professionals and
public and private pollution control agencies along with support from media whose help will be critical
for success of these missions. Thus while reviewing the performance of these groups, a holistic view
of common efforts made to enhance awareness towards environmental damage and pollution control
along with its adverse impact on public health and hygiene will have to be taken into account. Only
through wider participation of agencies linked with environmental protection success can be
achieved.. The faculty concerned with the mission review and support will have to keep this fact in
view while conducting the pre and post program audit. This will help shape the outcome of the
program as well as help assess the student's performance to facilitate academic evaluation of this
sensitive area.

Mission: Popularization of Fitness and wellness including
Sports and Yoga [Missions 71 - 80]
Objective :
To identify and create awareness about criticality of physical fitness in the society especially among
youth and middle aged strata of the society and identify a focus group of youth, working professionals
including working women and housewives so as to present a pilot demonstration for spreading the
message of positivity towards physical and mental well-being by using yoga and modern methods for
fitness training as well as organizing media sponsored events and competitions to attract people
participation and build a healthy society, while keeping in view practical issues of access, mobility and
perception to change and betterment.
Process & Phases :
(Designed by MET for the Social Outreach Program)
21|| ||
MMiissssiioonn,, SSuubb-MMiissssiioonnss && SSttuuddeenntt TTeeaammss [[FFSS 11-1100]]
FS1 Critical beneficiary identification - with benchmark survey
FS2 Set up SDWT to facilitate & Deliver need based Training programs for
popularization of the mission
FS3 Link up & Leverage NGOs & other agencies working in this field & seek
support in this task
FS4 Link up & Leverage Agencies which could provide financial assistance &
HR input especially to honour outstanding and meritorious beneficiaries
/felicitate/ display societal reverence for their achievements
FS5 Set up Help Desk, Counseling & Information sharing hub
FS6 Networking with Ex-Servicemen/ public servants/ citizen groups/ etc. set
up SDWT seeking partnership with Corporate Sponsors/NGOs etc. in
the mission for synergistic action
FS7 Identify & focus on seasonal/ exceptional events/occasions/
opportunities for mass support like Marathon/Walkathalon/Olympic
Torch, marches, etc.
FS8 Set up pilots for each micro area of activity to offer customized
solutions to achieve mass participation and dynamic and galvanize
dynamic community action
FS9 Develop web support System for data storage, management & online
support for the mission
FS10 Develop idea exchange forum for promoting creativity and out of box
thinking &dynamic action

Impact :
In the present turbulent times the hard ships of sustenance and daily routine take a heavy toll of
individuals health and one tends to take good health for granted. However with the rise in
environmental pollution and harsh work schedules, unless proactive efforts are taken by following any
system of physical fitness including yoga and other forms of exercise, it will be very difficult to maintain
sound health. Therefore the mission group will focus on identifying a core group from the
neighborhood including school children, youth, working professionals as well as women who will be
exposed to the benefits of fitness programme. The mission group will have to undertake mass contact
programmes including help of physical fitness professionals and voluntary agencies to demonstrate
positive impact of these measures. Only through multi level efforts involving the entire strata of
society, it would be possible to generate mission impact over a period of 2-3 years. By forming Self
Directed Work Teams (SDWT) with the dynamic participation of fitness enthusiasts and trainers
including NGOs and students, and by organizing mass awareness programmes, it would be feasible to
achieve mobilization of 100 beneficiary families every year thus easily achieving the target of 1000
beneficiary families in a decade, depending upon the ground reality.
The mission success of this group will depend on induction of physically and mentally fit and alert
committed students working side by side with health and physical fitness professionals besides support
from media whose help will be critical for popularizing the missions. Therefore intervention by trained
students with expertise in yoga as well as modern fitness regimen will bring positive results. Hence
while reviewing the performance of these groups, a holistic view of efforts made to enhance
awareness towards fitness as well as building up of small groups to act as change agents will have to
be taken. Participation of diverse fitness groups will create healthy competition and therefore such
multiplicity should be encouraged for programme success. But all this may take some time to build up.
Hence a minimum sustained input of 2-3 years is necessary before a meaningful mission review could
be undertaken. The faculty concerned with the mission review and support will have to keep this fact
in view while conducting the pre and post programme audit to facilitate academic evaluation of this
sensitive area.
22|| ||

Mission: Reaching out to Physically/ Mentally handicapped
persons [Differently Abled] [Missions 81 - 90]
Objective :
To identify differently abled and handicapped persons from the neighborhood especially those
who are left out from the rehabilitation mission programmes, belonging to the weaker section of the
community and reach out to them to deliver assistance package with counselling, networking and
hand holding where necessary and integrating them with the mainstream society by organizing special
events like sports, marathon, competitions, etc. as well as recognizing their achievements despite the
handicap so as to broaden mission participation, while keeping in view practical issues of access,
mobility and perception to change and betterment.
Process & Phases:
23|| ||
MMiissssiioonn,, SSuubb-MMiissssiioonnss && SSttuuddeenntt TTeeaammss [[DDAA 11-1100]]
DA1 Critical beneficiary identification - with benchmark survey
DA2 Set up SDWT to facilitate & Deliver need based Training programs for
DA3 Link up & Leverage NGOs & other agencies working in this field
including public utilities so as to ensure special protection & relief to
senior citizens & seek support in this task
DA4 Link up & Leverage Agencies which could provide financial assistance,
equipment support & HR input especially to honour outstanding and
meritorious beneficiaries / felicitate/ display societal reverence for
their achievements
DA5 Set up Help Desk, Counselling & Information sharing hub
DA6 Networking with Ex-Servicemen/ public servants/ citizen groups/ etc. set
DA7 Identify & focus on seasonal/ exceptional events/festivals/
opportunities for mass support
DA8 Organize mass display and exhibitions of tools, literature, equipment,
therapeutic care and relief for beneficiaries to offer customized
solutions & achieve mass participation and galvanize dynamic
community action
DA9 Develop web support System for data storage, management & online
DA10 Develop idea exchange forum for promoting creativity and out of box
thinking & dynamic action

Impact :
The mission group will focus on identifying a core group from the neighborhood among the school
children, youth, working professionals as well as women who suffer from handicap of any type. The
mission group will have to undertake mass contact programmes including help of physical fitness
professionals and voluntary agencies to demonstrate positive impact of these measures. Only through
multi level efforts involving voluntary agencies and NGOs as well as institutions like Spastic Society, it
would be possible to generate mission impact over a period of 2-3 years. By forming Self Directed
Work Teams (SDWT) with the dynamic participation of voluntary agencies and trainers including
NGOs and students, and by organizing mass awareness programmes, it would be feasible to achieve
mobilization of beneficiary families. Since this task of bringing the differently abled person in the
mainstream of society is a qualitative effort, any quantification would be misleading and therefore not
attempted.
The mission success of this group will depend upon reaching out to the differently abled members
of our society especially those who have not had the opportunity of receiving inputs from state or
private agencies. Help and participation of specialized agencies dedicated to help the handicap people
and support of professionals as well as media will be critical for popularizing the missions. Hence while
reviewing the performance of these groups, a holistic view efforts made to enhance awareness in
combating the physical and mental handicaps through building up of small groups to act as change
agents will have to be taken into account. Participation of diverse agencies will create healthy
competition and therefore such multiplicity should be encouraged for programme success. But all this
may take some time to build up. Hence a minimum sustained input of 2-3 years is necessary before a
meaningful mission review could be undertaken. The faculty concerned with the mission review and
support will have to keep this fact in view while conducting the pre and post programme audit to
facilitate academic evaluation of this sensitive area.
24|| ||

Mission: To nurture and foster dignity and respect to Elders
through study & practice of Geriatric Care - Senior Citizens
[Missions 91 - 100]
Objective :
To identify senior citizens especially handicapped and disabled persons from the neighborhood
including those who are isolated due lack of family support, primarily belonging to the weaker section
of the community and reach out to them to deliver assistance package with counselling, networking,
sharing and caring as well as health checks and hand-holding, and integrating them with the
mainstream society by organizing special events like community celebrations, sports, competitions,
etc. as well as recognizing their achievements with help and participation of NGOS and senior citizen
care groups, so as to broaden mission participation, while keeping in view practical issues of access
and perception to change and betterment.
Process & Phases :
** Designed by MET for the Social Outreach Program
25|| ||
MMiissssiioonn,, SSuubb-MMiissssiioonnss && SSttuuddeenntt TTeeaammss [[GGCC 11-1100]]
GC1 Critical beneficiary identification - with benchmark survey
GC2 Set up SDWT to facilitate & deliver need based Training programs for
GC3 Link up & Leverage NGOs & other agencies working in this field & seek
GC4 Link up & Leverage Agencies which could provide financial assistance &
HR input especially to honour outstanding and meritorious beneficiaries
/felicitate/ display societal reverence for their achievements
GC5 Set up Help Desk, Counselling & Information sharing hub
GC6 Networking with Ex-Servicemen/ public servants/ citizen groups/ etc. set
GC7 Identify & focus on seasonal/ exceptional events/occasions/
GC8 Set up pilots for each micro area of activity to offer customized
solutions to achieve mass participation and dynamic events
GC9 Develop web support System for data storage, management & online
GC10 Develop idea exchange forum for promoting creativity and out of box

Impact :
The mission group will focus on identifying a core group from the neighborhood consisting of
senior citizens, especially those who are handicapped or disabled or living in seclusion for different
reasons, belonging to the weaker sections of the community. Here again, it may be difficult to access
such citizens as there is reluctance but with the help of multiple channels including neighbourhood
school children, NGOs and volunteers the core group will be identified. The mission group will have
to thus work keeping the sensitivities of elders in mind. Their intervention will succeed depending on
the training imparted to them as well as initial success of small groups identified for support. This may
take some time but once such groups have been identified and brought into the main stream of the
society, enticed by community programs and felicitations, then the program will generate momentum
in a period of 2-3 years. Therefore patience and perseverance are critical to the success of this
mission.
The mission success of this group will depend upon reaching out to such normally withdrawn and
often despondent senior citizens who are weighed down by adversities including lack of sustenance
and neglect. Therefore success of the mission will depend upon how skillfully and respectfully the
mission group is able to approach and address the issues of senior citizens. This is a time consuming
process and initially the progress may be slow. Therefore, while assessing the performance of the
group, the focus would be on securing participation of multiple agencies to reach out to the core
group and bring them into the mainstream of the society. Thus the accent is on quality and not on
quantity as one helpless family duly supported would send positive message to the rest of the society.
Since all this may take some time to build up, a minimum sustained input of 2-3 years is necessary
before meaningful mission review could be undertaken. The faculty concerned with the mission
review and support will have to keep this fact in view while conducting the pre and post programme
audit to facilitate academic evaluation of this sensitive area.
26|| ||

Mission: Providing Relief, Counseling and Hand holding to
School dropouts/ street urchins and other underprivileged
children - The Economically needy category [Missions 101 - 110]
Objective :
To identify core group of school drop outs, street urchins and other underprivileged children,
including handicapped and disabled ones from the neighborhood along with those who are isolated
due lack of family support, primarily belonging to the weaker section of the community and reach out
to them to deliver assistance package with counselling, networking, sharing and caring as well as health
checks and hand-holding, and integrating them with the mainstream society by organizing training
programs, involving them in events like community celebrations, sports, competitions, etc. as well as
recognizing their achievements with help and participation of NGOS and voluntary care groups, so as
to broaden mission participation, while keeping in view practical issues of access and perception to
change and betterment.
Process & Phases:
27|| ||
MMiissssiioonn,, SSuubb-MMiissssiioonnss && SSttuuddeenntt TTeeaammss [[RRCC 11-1100]]
RC1 Critical beneficiary identification - with benchmark survey
RC2 Set up SDWT to facilitate & Deliver need based Training programs for
RC3 Link up & Leverage NGOs & other agencies working in this field & seek
RC4 Link up & Leverage Agencies which could provide financial assistance &
HR input
RC5 Set up Help Desk, Counselling & Information sharing hub
RC6 Networking with Ex-Servicemen/ public servants/ citizen groups/ etc. set
RC7 Identify & focus on seasonal/ exceptional events/occasions/
RC8 Set up pilots for each micro area of activity to offer customized
RC9 Develop web support System for data storage, management & online
RC10 Develop idea exchange forum for promoting creativity and out of box

Impact :
The street urchins, school dropouts and other underprivileged children form a large percentage
of children and youth wandering aimlessly in the society. Therefore through this mission a core group
of beneficiaries consisting of mix of the above category would be identified for providing relief and
help through counseling besides offering functional training and skill development inputs so as to
provide them opportunity to claw their way back into the society. Unless the entire community
assisted by NGOs and voluntary agencies working in the mission area jointly work to involve them in
the mission assistance programs, any mission accomplishment would be difficult. Therefore, using
multiple agencies to persuade these misdirected children is necessary to generate positive impact on
the neighbourhood. Through small successes in rehabilitating these children, over a period of time
positive mission impact is possible. Undoubtedly this will involve sustained efforts on the part of the
mission group and would take 2-3 years before significant impact is noticed.
The mission success of this group will depend upon reaching out to the underprivileged children
and successfully rehabilitating them into the main stream of the society. These young children are
extremely fickle minded and often misguided. Therefore a concerted effort will have to be made
utilizing multi-level agencies and their support in accessing and delivering training, counseling and even
hand-holding assistance for successful demonstrations. These successes will create a positive impact
on the rest of the group and hopefully this will snowball into a larger movement. But here again,
review and monitoring effort will have to take a long term view of the matter since noticeable impact
may not be there in the initial phases. The accent is on quality and not on quantity as one helpless
street urchin duly supported would send positive message to the rest of the society. The faculty
concerned with the mission review and support will have to keep this fact in view while conducting
the pre and post programme audit to facilitate academic evaluation of this sensitive area.
28|| ||

Mission: Reaching out to high risk, high work pressure/ stress
groups like Defence/ Police/ Fire fighters/ local train/bus drivers
to provide emotional relief / counseling/ etc. to this High Stress
Category. [Missions 111 - 120]
Objective :
To identify core group of mission beneficiaries by conducting a benchmark survey of the
neighbourhood to identify high risk, high work pressure /stress groups who are continuously subject
to high work stress, and reach out to them so that they can seek relief from the stress to play their
part as members of the civil society, involving NGOs and voluntary agencies so that they receive due
acclaim and appreciation for their sacrifice
Process & Phases :
29|| ||
MMiissssiioonn,, SSuubb-MMiissssiioonnss && SSttuuddeenntt TTeeaammss [[WWPP 11-1100]]
WP1 Critical beneficiary identification - with benchmark survey
WP2 Set up SDWT to facilitate & Deliver need based Training programs for
WP3 Link up & Leverage NGOs & other agencies working in this field & seek support in
this task
WP4 Link up & Leverage Agencies which could provide financial assistance & HR input
WP5 Set up Help Desk, Counselling & Information sharing hub
WP6 Networking with Ex-Servicemen/ public servants/ citizen groups/ etc. set up SDWT
seeking partnership with Corporate Sponsors/NGOs etc. in the mission for
synergistic action
WP7 Identify & focus on seasonal/ exceptional events/occasions/ opportunities for mass
support
WP8 Set up pilots for each micro area of activity to offer customized solutions to achieve
mass participation and dynamic events
WP9 Develop web support System for data storage, management & online support for
the mission
WP10 Develop idea exchange forum for promoting creativity and out of box thinking
& dynamic action

Impact :
The high stress category people are usually withdrawn and function in seclusion and this itself
leads to building of stress in their lives. Therefore the process of bringing them back into the main
stream of society can be best handled by networking with retired professionals from the same
category as they would have better appreciation of the stress experienced by their colleague. The
mission group would have to therefore have to necessarily be networked with former defense, police,
fire-fighters and such personnel who can act as links to mission groups. This networking may take
some time to establish, but once they realize the spirit behind the outreach they would respond
positively. Through small successes in rehabilitating these professional, over a period of time positive
mission impact is possible. Undoubtedly this will involve sustained efforts on the part of the mission
group and would take 2-3 years before significant impact is noticed.
The mission success of this group will depend upon reaching out to this high stressed category
preferably through their senior professionals and ex-colleagues who would be able to better
appreciate their limitations. However, identifying these resource persons and seeking their
participation in the mission program may take some time and effort. Therefore, while reviewing the
mission it would be appropriate to assess the networking established and resource persons identified
as primary achievements. Subsequently, through this network the mission group would be able to
reach out and share the high stress burden of this category thereby launch a process of their re-entry
in the main stream of the society. The accent is on quality and not on quantity as one high stressed
professional joining the main stream of the society would send positive message to the rest. The
faculty concerned with the mission review and support will have to keep this fact in view while
conducting the pre and post programme audit to facilitate academic evaluation of this sensitive area.
30|| ||

Mission: To promote universal cross cultural understanding
through culture tourism and exchange showcasing the city as
Global Tourism & Brotherhood hub -
[Missions 121 to 130]
Objective :
To identify and conceptualise unique cultural strengths and contributions especially those rich
treasures which have captured the imagination of local populace including festivities like Ganesh, Holi,
as well as local yatras and melas involving mass participation as well as rituals upholding rich traditions
of the past and develop them as culture tourism packages for offer both as components of local
programs like the Bandra and Kala Ghoda Festivals as well as showcase them to the international
audiences as part of our rich cultural heritages, with help and access to the WWW and networking
with NGOs and cultural groups.
Process & Phases :
31|| ||
MMiissssiioonn,, SSuubb-MMiissssiioonnss && SSttuuddeenntt TTeeaammss [[YYBB 11-1100]]
YB1 Critical beneficiary identification
YB2 Set up SDWT to facilitate & Deliver need based Training programs for
YB3 Link up & Leverage NGOs & other agencies working in this field & seek
YB4 Link up & Leverage Agencies which could provide financial assistance &
HR input
YB5 Set up Help Desk, Counselling & Information sharing hub
YB6 Networking with Ex-Servicemen/ public servants/ citizen groups/ etc. set
YB7 Identify & focus on seasonal/ exceptional events/occasions/
YB8 Set up pilots for each micro area of activity to offer customized
YB9 Develop web support System for data storage, management & online
YB10 Develop idea exchange forum for promoting creativity and out of box

Impact :
With a millions of tourists globetrotting without respite, we offer an excellent destination with
hospitable climate round the year and yet only a few million enter our country for a holiday. Moreover,
the tourism pattern is gradually shifting from structured and regimented outings to more exotic and
in essence cultured tourism outings. Therefore this group will assess significant cultural strengths of
the locality as well as the metropolis and identify niche packages, which can be organized to fit in
global culture tourism exchange program. This would involve careful study of the prevailing culture
scene and by networking with established culture groups and NGOs, with support of cultural festivals
like Bandra/Kala Ghoda, as well as Malhar/Mood Indigo, the neighbourhood could evolve a package
for attracting global tourism and cultural exchange. This is undoubtedly a painstaking process involving
minimum 2-3 years of groundwork but once the tempo picks up then gradually cultural exchange
would take off. Help of tour and travel agencies and corporate promotions would significantly improve
the mission impact. After all, the Spanish bullfight owes its popularity to the pen of Earnest
Hemingway. And we can certainly develop a richer fare than the West. Here again, patience is the key
as it would take 2-3 years or more to make significant impact.
Since cultural heritage defines our quality of life, it is not possible to quantify the impact. Moreover
as we approach the domain of fine art, we are entering in the arena of the sublime, which defies
quantification. The task of identification of culture troves and heritage is quite painstaking and would
require hard work by mission group in participation with other NGOs and cultural organizations. Thus
while assessing the performance of the group emphasis has to be laid on development of culture
exchange packages and networking. It would take atleast 3-4 years of effort before significant impact
is generated. In the meanwhile, it would suffice to say that so long as we develop the right approach
for identifying culture exchange opportunities and presenting them globally we can be certain of
positive mission achievement. After all, we are one of the few societies in the world who dare to
immerse the gods and resurrect them or throw colour at each other for pleasure and merriment.
32|| ||

Mission: To Generate dynamic societal participation in
development of Emergency response systems and networking
vital for Disaster Management - [Missions 131 - 140]
Objective :
To identify institutions, agencies, voluntary groups, professional, ex-servicemen, etc. in the
neighborhood who have either the potential to help the neighbourhood or have responded to meet
the challenges of common disasters and forge them into a vibrant response team which would offer
support and relief to the populace in participation with other parallel public-private and NGO-based
efforts in case of an emergency.
Process & Phases :
33|| ||
MMiissssiioonn,, SSuubb-MMiissssiioonnss && SSttuuddeenntt TTeeaammss [[DDMM 11-1100]]
DM1 Critical core group identification through response survey
DM2 Set up SDWT to facilitate & Deliver need based Training programs for
DM3 Link up & Leverage NGOs & other agencies working in this field & seek
DM4 Link up & Leverage Agencies which could provide financial assistance &
HR input
DM5 Set up Help Desk, Counselling & Information sharing hub
DM6 Networking with Ex-Servicemen/ public servants/ citizen groups/ etc. set
up SDWT seeking partnership with Corporate Sponsors/NGOs etc. in the
mission for synergistic action
DM7 Identify & focus on seasonal/ exceptional events/occasions/
DM8 Set up pilots for each micro area of activity to offer customized solutions
to achieve mass participation and dynamic events
DM9 Develop web support System for data storage, management & online
DM10 Develop idea exchange forum for promoting creativity and out of box
thinking & dynamic action

Impact :
The rise of global warming as a threat to the universal civil society, has brought us to the brink of
natural disasters of dimensions hitherto the unknown since the last Ice-age. It is therefore predicted
that during the coming decades, tornadoes and cyclones will become more fierce and the tectonic
movement might add to the chaos. Therefore it is necessary to shore-up our resources and join the
emergency response systems being developed through pubic-private partnership. Therefore response
survey could identify few key players in the neighbourhood and they could be networked to offer a
common front for disaster mitigation. The key to the success of the mission however is delivery of
awareness and training program to the entire neighbourhood with education institutions and
corporates as the prime targets. Eventually, the entire neighbourhood will have to be covered and
information-sharing network has to be put in place. All this would require some time to generate
positive mission impact.
Since networking, training and awareness are the key components of this mission, establishment
of SDWTs to carry the message in the neighbourhood should be the most critical step in mission
implementation. This would be followed by gradual coverage of the neighbourhood and establishment
of common networks for information sharing. Since only a sudden disaster or emergency could prove
the efficacy of the system, one can only hope to aim at achieving total awareness and coverage in the
neighhbourhood in five years, followed by training program completion within the decade. In the
meanwhile, it would suffice to say that so long as we develop the right approach for identifying the
linkages and generate total awareness about disaster management, we can be certain of positive
mission achievement.
34|| ||

Mission: To Develop Global Partnership for Development
[Missions 141 - 150]
Objective :
To identify institutions, agencies, voluntary groups, etc. in the neighborhood who have either the
potential for sharing programmes and missions on an international basis or those who possess global
networking capabilities, including individual and global family linkages so as to bring them together to
build a platform for sharing ideas, missions and experiences of societal outreach and development
programmes including the VIDYA SETU missions so as to share our experiences and seek knowledge/
help/ financial inputs/ etc. from these agencies networking with local agencies like Rotary/ Lions/
Giants/ YMCA/ PIO/ etc. and form Self Directed Work Teams to link up with international agencies
like UN ECOSOC/ UNICEF/ WHO/ UNIDO/ etc. to seek international help and support for our
missions.
Process & Phases :
35|| ||
MMiissssiioonn,, SSuubb-MMiissssiioonnss && SSttuuddeenntt TTeeaammss [[GGPP 11-1100]]
GP1 Critical partnership mission identification to achieve global networking
& support - with benchmark survey
GP2 Develop linkages through global forum like
Rotary/Lions/Giants/YMCA/PIO etc. to form SDWT
GP3 Set up SDWT to seek Global partnership/support for local work
programmes seeking strategic & HR INPUTS
GP4 Link up & Leverage Global Agencies for financial assistance &
propagation abroa
GP5 Set up Help Desk & Information sharing hub so as to Globally reflect
the total spread of MUSESQ
GP6 Set up SDWT to liaise with International agencies like
UNECOSOC/UNICEF/WHO for relief & support
GP7 Set up SDWT to popularize the MUSESQ mission programmes Globally
GP8 Set up SDWT to act as watch dogs/monitors for each micro area of
assistance to document & share success/failures of MUSEQ with
SARC/third world countries
GP9 Develop web support System for data storage, management & online
exchange
GP10 Develop idea exchange forum for promoting creativity and out of box
thinking & action for mass popular relief

36|| ||
Impact :
This mission is aimed at building a platform for sharing international experiences in building and
implementing societal outreach programs for developing an enlightened civil society. Thus this mission
group will absorb and share the learnings from implementation of VIDYA SETU missions as well as
collate and collect parallel international experiences and share them with our mission participants so
as to enrich our programme. Help and participation of voluntary agencies and groups like Rotary/
Lions/ YMCA/ PIO/ etc. as well as international agencies like UNECOSOC/ UNICEF/ WHO/ etc. will
have to be integrated to enrich our missions. Here again the movement and integration on
international level is a time consuming process and therefore requires great deal of patience and
persistence on the part of the mission players. Individual and person-to-person contacts may add a
new dimension to this effort and positive impact in the domestic and international spheres can be
generated. Local mission programme implementation learnings may take some time to build up and
therefore it will take minimum 2-3 years before any significant impact is generated. But over a decade
it will certainly make a mark in the international arena.
Assessment of this mission group performance will be a matter of "Wait and See' on the part of
the mission participants as well as review and monitoring group. But so long as the mission group is
able to integrate local, national as well as international agencies in design delivery and extension of the
mission programmes, significant impact will be generated in 3-5 years. Therefore measures like
individual networking successes may have to be promoted and appreciated so as to build programmed
momentum. This will help in keeping high morale of mission group and also spread the learnings world
wide. The absorption and sharing of international experiences will undoubtedly enrich our missions
and therefore special weightage and consideration should be given for such inputs. This mission group
performance however will have to be entirely judged by qualitative considerations as the quantitative
dimension may not be relevant. The mission success will depend on global acceptability of the
programme and absorption of global wisdom delivered and accessed by us. The faculty concerned
with the mission review and support will have to keep this reality in view while conducting the pre
and post program audit. This will help shaping the outcome of the program as well as help assess the
student's performance to facilitate academic evaluation of this sensitive area.

37|| ||
C
ONC
Vidya Setu, the knowledge bridge for societal bonding, is an attempt to bring together the
academia and the society, which it hopes to serve and seeks fusion for mutual benefit. While it is an
undeniable fact that the problems of poverty, sustenance, literacy, health, women empowerment, etc.
are mammoth in proportion to the resources the academicians have at their disposal, what is
attempted here is focused intervention through the weakest links to seek mutual relief and harmony.
In the dark ages, the earth was believed to be mostly inhospitable, while today 6 billion plus earthlings
inhabit the space with abandon. The only difference between then and now is the power of
knowledge, which has changed the equation of man with the primordial elements.
We should be not be therefore demoralized by the dimension of the problem but deploy critical
knowledge to seek micro solutions which will eventually turn a crisis into an opportunity. The very
process of understanding the problems of sustenance in the neighbourhood will throw up new
innovative solutions as the youth interact and struggle with societal problems. Neither the size nor the
negativity of adversity should cast its dismal shadow on the bridge of knowledge attempted by us.
After all, the mythical bridge mentioned in our scriptures once led to the destruction of the evil and
established Golden Millennium in the past. We have no doubt that through the Vidya Setu, as hundreds
and thousands of students reach out to their brethren, synergistic forces of development will galvanise
the people to build the Knowledge society, which we aspire for.
As a mystic aptly put it to an accompanying pantheistic friend,
"Let us cultivate the Garden of Good as the men of religion, the Garden of
Truth as the men of Science, hoping perhaps believing that one day
through our joint operation, the waste places we are cultivating will break
forth into beauty and the desert will blossom like the Garden of the Lord."

The mission program VIDYA-SETU is conceptualized and authored by MET League
of Colleges, primarily its Institute of Management, with contributions from Board of
Trustees, colleagues, Faculty and students with design inputs from the team of
Knowledge Explorer Division of MET. The concept has been acknowledged as a
significant contribution to the UNECOSOC Mission by the High Level Segment meet
held at Geneva in July 2006, received and acknowledged by the U.N. Secretary -
General.
Established in 1989, with the mission to redefine the system of education, the MET
League of Colleges is a professionally managed, multi-disciplinary and multi-faceted
institution with state - of - the - art educational complexes located at Bandra and Bhujbal
Knowledge City - Nasik. It offers unique learning opportunities with University
accredited as well as autonomous programmes in Pharmacy, Management, Information
Technology, Mass Media, Engineering etc. besides running a unique children school
based on Meditational inputs.
MET gratefully acknowledges the opportunity and encouragement offered by the
Vice-Chancellor and his esteemed colleagues in the design and acceptance of this
programme as an integral part of the Sesquicentennial Celebrations of University of
Mumbai.
AACCKKNNOOWWLLEEDDGGMMEENNTTSS

Vidya-Setu A Tribute for Education by Dr. Vijay Page

More Related Content

What's hot

Similar to Vidya-Setu A Tribute for Education by Dr. Vijay Page

More from Digital Transformation Academy

Recently uploaded

Vidya-Setu A Tribute for Education by Dr. Vijay Page