Festivity with a social motive

The annual intercollegiate festival of Xavier's College has today become synonymous with competition, excitement and campus legend. Any collegian is acquainted with Malhar - which is a red letter event in the planners of college students.

By adding refreshing elements, every year Xavier's has elevated their event to a level which has made it the essence of all college festivals.

This year, the organisers have planned to include social endeavours and initiatives along with amusement and interactive activities.

'Chakachak' is one such event which was born in 2007 and since then has been an integral part of this festival. “The participants congregate and then embark on a mission to clean a particular area, which includes picking up garbage in a particular area. We have a system wherein we weigh the amount of garbage that is collected and accordingly adjudge who has done a good job,” says Shriya Pilgaonkar, chairperson of the Malhar event.

Over the last two years, Chakachak has gone to different places in the city. In 2007, Chakachak was held at Juhu beach and Shivaji Park beach.

In 2008, Chakachak was adopted by the students and they had cleaned up St Xavier's College and the Azad Maidan. "Chakachak continues to be a part of this year's festival allowing us to contribute in a unique way. We plan to send our volunteers to other areas as well. No other college festival has a similar social theme and we are enthusiastic to have converted it to a successful event. We hope to see better participation this year," says Pilgaonkar.

The second endeavour is a workshop called 'Here comes the sun'.

The group will work with inmates at a senior citizens home at Andheri called 'Little Sisters of the Poor', providing its inhabitants with some fun and frolic. "I'm emotionally attached to my grandparents and think it's important for today's youth to treat senior citizens with respect," says Chryslynn D'Costa, assistant director (workshops). 

The activity has been envisaged to encourage sensitivity and inculcate a sense of responsibility towards the elderly. 

The students will also be undertaking a tree plantation drive, a small initiative to increase the green cover and protect the environment.

It is a cause that they plan to be committed to even after the Malhar festival ends. “We have tied up with the Giai Foundation. All interested students along with the NGO will undertake a trek to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park which will be followed by a tree plantation drive. As we will be adopting the trees this will be a continuous drive as we will be committed to it even after the festival ends," informs Pilgaonkar.

The inter-collegiate festival commences on August 14.