The Delhi Government today felicitated 124 students of various universities and colleges for participating in student volunteers programme at night shelters conducted by Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB).
According to a government official, the idea behind the programme was to sensitize college students regarding problems faced by homeless in Delhi.
Participating students were asked to submit their case studies, experiences and suggestions. A panel of DUSIB selected top three case studies and gave them monetary rewards. All the participating students were given certificates.
First year MA student of Delhi School of Social Work, Ashvina Basnet, bagged the first prize of Rs 20,000.
"I was moved by story of pain of elderly living at night shelters. I did a case study on the plight of 72-year-old widow, who was abandoned by her children after her money got over. She was staying in the night shelter for last seven years," said Basnet.
"I am so proud to see such students who are busy working with homeless when others are busy with google hangout and chat. This is true service to humanity. Last year with the help of Delhi residents were made shelter for homeless in dysfunctional buses and ship containers.
"We will make this programme bigger next time and will personally participate with students," Deputy Chief Minsiter, Manish Sisodia, said while attending the programme.
DUSIB received more than 600 applications from the volunteers and after screening only 124 were selected.
"All the selected students were given an orientation and were then deployed at nearest night shelters where they were made to interact with homeless. Based on their experience, they shared suggestions with us which will be soon implemented," said a senior DUSIB official.
"We have started mapping of homeless people in Delhi and have started their identification process. We have started identifying them issuing Aadhar card at Yamuna Pushta night shelter.
"Our aim is to provide shelter to homeless and empower them to get living and become a part of mainstream society," Ashish Joshi, Member (Finance), DUSIB said.
