CHENNAI: Come summer, it is the season for internship for college students.This summer, we tracked a few students who decided to become socially conscious by choice. In spite of not being compelled by curriculum to intern in an organisation, these youngsters spent time with city NGOs in what seems to be an emerging trend.Jayaraman S (21), a fourth year student of Panimalar Engineering college, who worked with CRY (Child Rights and You) in one of their slum projects at Suriya Nagar in Kotturpuram, is a totally transformed person after his brief three-month tenure at the NGO.Jayaraman said, “It was a life changing experience working in CRY. Previously when I walked on the road and saw someone in trouble, I would keep away, hoping somebody would come to their help. But today I would be the first person to reach out without fear and help them.” Pallavi Priya Yadav (19), a BA-LLB Honours student from Chanakya National Law University, Patna, is currently interning with the HelpAge India — Chennai office, for she has a heart that goes out to the elderly.Pallavi, who chose to spend her summer holidays with the elders, said, “I always feel they are a neglected lot, and as I am spend more time with them, I am beginning to understand their need to talk to someone; they hardly have any listeners, and they are almost like little kids.” Sonal Jain (18), a student from Symbosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune, is experiencing a shift in perspective as she interns with The Banyan.Sonal said. “I spent time with the mentally differently-abled people, listening to their life stories, their struggles, and seeing for myself the way social workers and other therapists work with them.It really expanded my view of things; earlier, I hardly had any understanding of any of this.” Diya Deb, Manager, Volunteer- Action, CRY-Chennai, who manages the internship programme, said, “Previously it was only the social worker and management student who had to intern as a part of their curriculum. Now we see a steady trickle of students from other streams, who are coming to us purely out of interest, even though their curriculum doesn’t demand it.” Diya also said, “After their exposure with us, most of the student continue to work as volunteers either with us or with any other NGO. I am sure the experience of working with an NGO impacts them as they continue to be socially conscious individuals in whatever they do later in life.” Diya’s claims seem to be true as the student interns have similar things to say.Jayaraman is hopeful that he will continue to work for children’s issues as it is something that is close to his heart, even as he charts out his career in engineering.“Working on children’s issues is something close to my heart,” he said.“Even when I continue my career, I’ll find time to work for children’s education, because education is only way these kids can improve their life,” said Pallavi, who wants be a Human Rights lawyer and wishes to continue pursuing her passion for serving.
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