Enactus Panjab University shines light on health and environment at Shimla Workshop

Chandigarh March 1, 2024: Enactus SSBUICET team of Panjab University embarked on a transformative journey to the Centre of Excellence, Government College (CoE GC), Sanjauli, Shimla, where the team orchestrated an impactful workshop on Health & Environment in collaboration with CoE GC, Versatile Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., Municipal Corporation Chandigarh and Corporate Sustainability Council, Women's Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CSC WICCI), Chandigarh, conveyed Prof. Seema Kapoor, Faculty Advisor of Enactus team and State Vice president of CSC WICCI, Chandigarh. The three days visit to Shimla and around served as a platform to showcase and promote innovative products made by underprivileged communities.

The highlight of the event was a powerful street play that delved into the societal stigmas surrounding menstruation and the importance of breaking free from patriarchal thinking. Through compelling storytelling and emotive performances, the play shed light on the challenges faced by women and girls in managing menstruation and emphasised the need for open dialogue & awareness and use of eco-friendly cloth based sanitary napkins which are environmentally friendly and do not contribute to landfill as they are reusable, said Shubham Dhiman, President of Enactus team.

In addition to the play, Enactus team showcased a range of innovative products made by underprivileged communities under Enactus projects. Under project Dhra which aims at preserving the dying art of pottery and providing potters with a continual source of income the team showcased clay products like kulhads, cups, handcrafted items, Project Uday which aims at providing a sustainable source of income to the underprivileged women showcased cloth products including sanitary napkins and scrunchies, highlighting the importance of eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastic productsand under Project Arpan in collaboration with Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh  displayed Dhoop being made by self-help groups from waste flowers collected from temples, exemplifying the importance of repurposing natural resources and promoting eco-conscious practices.These products garnered significant attention and appreciation in local markets of Shimla and surrounding areas, including Lower Bazar, Middle Bazar, Sanjauli, Dhalli, Summer Hill, and Chalaunthi with many expressing interest in adopting eco-friendly alternatives and supporting local initiatives.

Prof. Bharti Bhagra, Principal, CoE GC, appreciated the Enactus team for conducting this meaningful workshop in collaboration and said her college will like to organize more such workshops in future also. Prof.Himani Saxena, Women Cell Convener, Prof.Anupama & Tarini Kanwar and other faculty and staff members of college praised the team for such societal activities.

Shubham conveyed that team’s visit to Shimla was an opportunity to amplify team’s message of empowerment and social responsibility. Through innovative initiatives and impactful storytelling, the team is working towards creating a more equitable society where every individual can thrive.