To educate, inspire and foster the spirit of participatory action, Catalyst Learning Services hosted Social Innovators Meet, a networking event. Social Innovators Meet is an attempt to bring together social entrepreneurs, educationists, CSR and HR professionals, researchers, innovators, current students and alumni of Catalyst to provide and strengthen the ecosystem for people who are seeking collaborations for sustainable and inclusive growth.
Prof Satyajit Majumdar is a renowned entrepreneurship educator with over forty years of experience. He is currently the Dean of Management and Labour Studies and Senior Professor- Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. Prof Majumdar has been instrumental in developing social change policies and is on the Governing Board of National Innovation Foundation, an autonomous body under the Government of India. He has also authored several books on Social Entrepreneurship and has done in-depth research on the entrepreneurial sector and start-ups in India. Professor Majumdar was the chief guest for the event along with Sujay Dixit, CEO, TISS Incube Foundation, Aamod Chandratre, AVP TISS Incube Foundation – mentors to 300+ path breaking startups and enterprises. Senior government officials also participated in the meet.
The session began with an introduction to Prof Majumdar by Sauraveswar Sen. Following which, participants had to present a pitch of their ideas of impact; discuss and seek advice on any challenges they are currently facing.
Prof Majumdar addressed the audience with a firm stance against the ‘agency theory’ : ‘We have to change the narrative that there is a “giver” and there is a “taker”, we are all stakeholders’. Secondly, he requested the participants to re-think about “role models” in the society by citing an example of girls who cycle 44 Km to and fro to their school in Jharkhand. “They are a far greater achiever than most of us”.
Founder-Mentor of Catalyst Learning Services, Sauraveswar Sen said “I am extremely delighted and grateful to 50+ social innovators for exchanging their valuable knowledge and expertise with each other in the second Social Innovators’ Meet today after our first attempt in 2022. India is at the cusp of a huge societal overhaul and it is important for us to prepare professionals for tomorrow who can lead this shift towards development of humanity at large.”
“We need visibility to our vision of empowering women in tribal communities on land rights’ ‘ cited Sikha Roy, an Ashoka Fellow and Anshuman Sarkar from SRREOSHI Durgapur.
“We have been able to reach out to 30,000 parents to support them with inputs and help them raise their children well, thereby empowering parents to transform their families, and become more effective in the workplace”, highlighted Dr Arnab Basu, co-founder of Yancha Positive Parenting.
Emma France, Director of Impact Entrepreneurship Programs at HEC Paris and Felix Beaulieu, Co-founder “On Purpose” both resonated with “connecting each other’s work” that the Social Innovators’ Meet facilitated.
Angira Chakravorty Dasgupta, a certified mental health therapist and founder of ‘Healing Rhyyithm’; Souvik Saha, Founder of People For Change; Dr Abdur Rafique, senior researcher with Indian Grameen Services; Goranbose Gram Bikash Kendra; Nishi Srivastava, Diversity and Inclusion Lead and Biz. HR, Tata Motors Limited, Kolkata and Assistant Secretary, NHRDN Kolkata Chapter; Samaritan Help Mission; Dr Amrita Panda, Founder, Deepranjani Foundation working with autism; Ratul Basu from Reach India Trust; Goutam Kulsi from RISE Foundation, IISER Kolkata; Shayari De, Founder, All About Architecture; ‘SaveMissingGirls’; ‘Earth and Partners’; F Cube – Forest2Fiber2Fashion; Avijit Mahato, Mahatma Gandhi National Fellow; the Catalyst team – Rahul Thakur, Arunima Malik, Anamitra Sinha, Sambit Jana shared their perspectives on effective collaboration and networking.
Current students of Catalyst representing University of Calcutta, Amity University, Muralidhar Girls College were keen to get involved as volunteers or interns with the thematic areas of mental healthcare, livelihood, community development, climate change, circular economy, domestic violence, human trafficking, CSR partnerships discussed by the participants.
Catalyst alumni – Joshita Nag working against Child Sexual Abuse with RAHI Foundation; Prantik Mitra, Strategy Director, MicroEnergy Credits; Shreya Karmakar, Climate Resilience and Disaster Risk Reduction, PwC India and Sananda Paul, Counseling Psychologist were also hosted at the event.
Sujata Chatterjee, MD, Founder of upcycling initiative Twirl Store, supported the event with laptop sleeves and key ring holder as gifts for the guests made from “wasted fabric”.
The event ended with networking over refreshments and the closing remarks of senior PR and Branding consultant Shilpi Jaiswal Sen who took everyone on a journey of how a social innovation can be sustained with the help of press and media coverage.
Are you interested in a rewarding career with the social sector – sustainability – climate action ? Register for a Career Mapping Session. Here are some ways Catalyst can help you:
- Entrance Exam Preparation: Catalyst provides specialised coaching and guidance for various entrance exams related to social sciences, public policy, and development studies. This includes exams for admissions into top institutions like TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences), IIT, IIPH (Indian Institutes of Public Health), Azim Premji University, and others. Comprehensive study materials, mock exams, and expert guidance are provided to ensure students are well-prepared.
- Career Mapping: Catalyst offers career mapping services to help individuals identify their strengths, interests, and career goals within the social sector. This includes helping students understand the various career paths available, such as social work, public health, development studies, and more.
- Skill Development: The social sector demands a unique skill set. Catalyst conducts skill development programs that focus on essential skills like research, data analysis, project management, and communication. These skills are vital for success in roles related to policy analysis, program management, and advocacy.
- Internship and Project Support: Catalyst assists students in finding relevant internships and projects within the social sector. This hands-on experience is invaluable for building practical skills and understanding real-world challenges in areas like healthcare, education, and community development.
- Interview Preparation: For students aiming to secure admissions to prestigious institutions or land jobs in the social sector, Catalyst conducts interview preparation sessions. This includes mock interviews, feedback, and guidance on how to present their skills and experiences effectively.
- Networking Opportunities: Catalyst organises events, workshops, and seminars that provide networking opportunities with professionals and organisations in the social sector. Building a strong professional network is essential for career growth and finding job opportunities.
- Mentorship: Experienced mentors from Catalyst provide one-on-one guidance and support to students and professionals. They offer insights into the industry, share their experiences, and help mentees navigate their career paths.
- Customised Training: Catalyst understands that individuals come from diverse backgrounds and have different career aspirations. They offer customised training programs tailored to the unique needs and goals of each student or professional.
- Continuous Learning: The social sector is dynamic, and professionals need to stay updated with the latest developments. Catalyst offers continuous learning opportunities through webinars, workshops, and access to relevant publications and resources.
- Placement Support: Catalyst provides assistance in job placements and fellowships within the social sector. They connect students and professionals with organisations that align with their career goals.
About Catalyst: Since 2011, students and working professionals have been able to successfully craft a career with Bachelors and Masters programmes offered by TISS, Azim Premji University, TERI, XIM, IIT, Nirmala Niketan, NLSIU, Sciences Po, London School of Economics and Political Science, Symbiosis, IIMC, ACJ, XIC, JNU, Ambedkar University et al with capacity building training for development sector and climate action at Catalyst.
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