IIM-B hosts NGOs at Vista 2008

Participants brainstorm for solutions to NGOs' problems
 
BANGALORE: Corporate responsibility got a festive twist at Vista 2008, the annual management fest of the Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore.  Other than the regular gamut of management contests, Vista 2008 is hosting Sparsh, a contest where students come up with solutions for real issues faced by city-based NGOs. 

Eight select teams comprising two students from business colleges across India will be assigned an NGO. Within the allotted time, they have to visit the NGO, gain an understanding of the problem and propose a workable solution. Their solutions will be then judged by a panel of experts from the NGO sector.

"This year's Vista is hosting a unique event called Sparsh. It aims to see how business school students can work with NGOs to arrive at practical solutions for problems they face in the field," Amneet Singh Sangha, student coordinator, IIM-B said.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation, which conducts the midday meal programme and Janaagraha, which encourages citizen's participation in public governance, are participating in Sparsh.

"We hope students can arrive at innovative solutions for a strategy issue involving scalability of our programme. This involves creating awareness about democracy and governance in schools and currently covers 26 institutions," Arati Menon-Gupta, coordinator, Bal Janaagraha said.

Akshaya Patra Foundation has posed an operational issue involving reducing costs for their midday meal scheme. "If we could contribute our solutions and if it helps these NGOs even an iota, it would be great," Gautham M.N., coordinator Vikasana, a community services club at IIM-B said.

More than 50 international schools and 150 Indian business schools are participating in Vista 2008, which will be on till October 12. The theme for this year's fest is 'Emerging economies. Emerging realities.'

Another unique event held was Slog out, an online competition requiring participants to replicate the success of the Indian Premier League model by managing a team and increasing its net worth over a period of three days. Some of the events being held include Numero Uno, a hunt for the next CEO, Bizzare, a quiz contest and BzzWings, a business plan competition. Winners of the fest will take home Altar Vista, a rolling trophy.