A Mumbai Rotaract club dreams big

A single Rotaract club in Mumbai, Rotaract Club of Jai Hind College (RACJC), RID 3141, has done a bunch of very interesting projects, which makes its president Khushi Shetty, smile proudly as she looks back on the year just gone by. For one, she managed to do what so many other past presidents of her club had only dreamt about — hold a Lit fest, complete with a book launch.

Among the projects done by this club of 178 members, 70 per cent of them women, one of their best is the hosting of Masti Mela, a vibrant and joyful fun fair for the children of Asia’s largest slum — Dharavi. This initiative aimed to bring happiness and excitement into the lives of these children growing up in a huge slum, offering them a break from their daily, not too shiny lives.

A variety of engaging games and activities was held to capture the children’s imagination and ignite their enthusiasm. Some of the most popular games were ball-throwing and ring toss which came with prizes when the children hit the target. ‘Find the correct tile’ was designed to improve their observation skills, and the ‘jumping jack’ gave them enough scope for screams of delight. “A candy floss stall provided a sweet treat, adding to the festive atmosphere and leaving smiles on the children’s faces. Understanding the importance of nourishment, our club ensured that the children were provided with a nutritious lunch, consisting of dishes like idli chutney, pav bhaji, and sheera for dessert. Masti Mela was not just about creating a fun fair; it was about spreading love, happiness, and a sense of community. The event showcased the transformative power of simple acts of kindness and the profound impact they can have on the lives of others,” said the 2022–23 club president Khushi.

The day ended with joy and laughter; “we believe the memories of this day will stay with these children for a long time,” said club secretary Zainab Jetpurwala.

Coming to the next project, the Mumbai Students Film Festival, organised by the club recently, marked the fifth year of providing a platform to aspiring young filmmakers. The festival got 20 entries of short films of 10–12-minute duration, and showcased a diverse range of topics and perspectives. Well-known industry professionals, including Karthik Mallur, Saurabh Bharat, Priyanka Tanwar and Apoorva Shaligram, served as judges, lend-ing their expertise and guidance to the event.

Masti Mela was not just about creating a fun fair; it was about spreading love, happiness, and a sense of community.
– Khushi Shetty, IPP, RAC Jai Hind College

“The top 10 films were selected for screening at the prestigious Creative Adda venue in Versova. The audience was captivated by the filmmakers’ artistic prowess and storytelling abilities, witnessing firsthand the depth of talent among the next generation of filmmakers. The films explored intriguing themes, including Mumbai’s vintage car culture and the hidden masks worn by teenagers in today’s complex society,” says Khushi.

Prizes were given for best direction, cinematography and editing. The winners were awarded citations and monetary prizes. The festival concluded on a high note as the entire team came together to celebrate their accomplishments. The atmosphere was filled with joy and enthusiasm as the participants showcased their unity through the vibrant RACJC dance and shout.

In June, the club organised its highly anticipated Lit Fest 23 in collaboration with Speaking Souls and Re-Create Spaces, providing a vibrant platform for literary exploration and artistic expression. The itinerary was packed with captivating events, including a book launch and conversation with the author Chattanathan. A stand-up comedy show titled ‘Comedy Central,’ an open mic event called Alfaaz, a mesmerising musical evening with VibeZ, and a pop-up marketplace, were also held.

The book launch and a Q&A session with Chattanathan, author of The Heel, gave the audience an insight into his writing journey. The stand-up comedy show featured the talented comedians Rowland Dominic and Praveen Pandya, providing a refreshing break filled with laughter. “Alfaaz gave budding poets and spoken word artists a platform to showcase their work, fostering a supportive and inclusive creative community. The musical evening VibeZ featured talented musicians and singers who captivated the audience with original compositions and Bollywood Mashups, creating a mesmerising atmosphere,” adds Khushi.

The pop-up marketplace where the Rotaractors raised funds for some of these projects by giving stalls on rent, allowed small businesses to promote their brands and offered the participants a chance to explore and support local entrepreneurship. “This further enhanced the festival’s vibrant atmosphere, fostering a sense of community and collaboration,” added Zainab.

Very excited about pulling off a lit fest — after all the Jaipur, Bengaluru and other big literary festivals make huge headlines all the time — Khushi said: “I am so happy that we were finally able to put together a lit festival. This has been dreamt of by many past presidents, but they simply couldn’t do it. But this year, we said we have to do it. So we first talked to some of our past presidents, learnt about their dreams, ideas and plans. At the end, my team decided on a one-day event with a pop-up market.” Her core team for these events had seven members.

I am so happy that we were finally able to put together a lit festival. This has been dreamt of by many past presidents.

She explains that the pop-up market is a kind of flea market but on a smaller scale and with brand exclusivity, giving small businesses an opportunity to offer brand exclusivity, and that really interested the crowd. “We put on offer a book launch, movie discussion, stand-up comedy, poetry, and brands from small businesses… all in one place, giving the audience a different kind of experience.”

She adds that “in a bid to foster global awareness and cultivate a spirit of diplomacy among young minds, the club once again organised the fifth exciting event — an educational simulation of the United Nations. This inspiring initiative aimed to provide students with “an invaluable opportunity to delve into the world of international affairs and work collaboratively towards crafting resolutions for pressing global issues.”

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) was simulated with the agenda of discussion being the violation of human rights in conflict zones. “Over the course of two intensive days, the simulation brought together a diverse group of students, each representing a different country. Through role play and lively debates, participants stepped into the shoes of diplomats, grappling with real-world challenges and devising innovative solutions. The event not only tested their knowledge of global affairs but also honed their negotiation, critical thinking and public speaking skills.”

The Model UN initiative aimed to provide students with an invaluable opportunity to delve into the world of international affairs and work collaboratively towards crafting resolutions for pressing global issues.

In the end, a draft resolution was presented. Participants had the opportunity to contribute their ideas, engage in productive discussions, and collaborate to form a resolution that represented their collective wisdom. The event underlined the importance of teamwork and cooperation in achieving common goals. But to take away the grimness of the debate, the youngsters also planned an entertainment segment, where they “engaged in a series of lighthearted activities. They exchanged anonymous messages through chits, adding an element of intrigue and surprise to the proceedings. Dancing and enacting various roles provided a platform for self-expression and creativity, allowing participants to unwind and enjoy themselves,” she added.

Asked what next Khushi smiles: “Now that a new Rotary year has begun, I have given the baton to the new leader, also a woman, Vedika Bansal. And our club will continue to do fun and meaningful events,” she adds.

(More projects by this same club in the next issue)