Outreach Activity Report: Community Catalyst 2.0

Name of the Activity: “Community Catalyst 2.0”
Category of the Activity: Outreach Programme
Organising unit: Department of Computer Science, in collaboration with the NSS Unit of The Bhawanipur Education Society College.
Date/ duration of the activity: 19/07/2025
Time: 9 am to 7 pm.
No. of Participants: 31 (23 Students, 5 Teachers and 3 support staff).
No. of Beneficiaries: 60 students of Sundarban Pathshala

Objective of the activity:
The objective of Community Catalyst 2.0 was to foster a sense of social responsibility and empathy among students by actively involving them in a meaningful outreach initiative. Through their visit to Sundarban Pathshala, the event aimed to support underprivileged children by donating essential school supplies and providing lunch, while also offering students a first-hand experience of community engagement. It encouraged them to reflect on the importance of giving back to society, understand the value of compassion, and contribute positively towards the betterment of marginalized communities.

Brief description of the activity:
As part of the outreach initiative Community Catalyst 2.0, students and faculty members from the Department of Computer Science, in collaboration with the NSS Unit of The Bhawanipur Education Society College, visited Sundarban Pathshala in Kanthal Beriya, Sundarban. The school, run by the NGO Naihati WIN, caters to underprivileged children in the region. During the visit, the team interacted with the students, distributed school essentials such as bags, notebooks, pencils, crayons, and drawing books, and also arranged lunch for 60 schoolchildren. The activity was filled with joy, creativity, and emotional connection, leaving the children with cherished memories and a renewed sense of community spirit.

Outcome of the activity:
The outreach activity Community Catalyst 2.0 proved to be a deeply enriching experience for both the volunteers and the children. The event successfully brought smiles to the faces of 60 students by addressing some of their basic educational needs and offering them a day of warmth, care, and nourishment. For the participating college students, it was a transformative experience that instilled a strong sense of empathy, gratitude, and social awareness. The interaction fostered a spirit of community service and highlighted the impact of small acts of kindness. Overall, the initiative strengthened the bond between academia and social responsibility, encouraging students to become compassionate and active contributors to society.