Unveiling Change: Building the Social Impact Club of Ashoka University

Anitya, the Social Impact Club of Ashoka University was formed to make the students of Ashoka and beyond aware of the social impact sphere and make them engage with the sector through our club. Initially, we were sceptical because existing clubs at the University focused on different aspects of the impact sector. However, we wanted to establish a niche where students could understand the intricacies involved in the space at an on-ground level. A huge motivation behind this was also to make them aware of the professional opportunities, an aspect often overlooked by people aspiring to enter the sector.

As a student-led initiative built in collaboration with the Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy (CSIP), we aim to foster community dialogue around social impact and how we, as students and leaders, can generate value in our communities and organisations. The club serves as a platform to connect students, organisations, and professionals in the social impact sector and create educational, experiential, and networking opportunities for community members.

We want to create a safe space for all members and individuals who interact with the club and its members. We aim to expose them to various social problems and help them understand and develop skills to solve them through events and initiatives. We currently have five departments within the club- Finance, Operations, Partnerships, Research, and Marketing and Communications with a strength of 25+ members. The journey so far has been challenging yet rewarding. With the endless support of our dedicated members, it is safe to say that we have successfully established our presence in the social impact sphere in our university and beyond.

So far, leading Anitya with the other Core Team members has been a wonderful experience for me. There were many ups and downs in my journey of setting up Anitya along with the other members, however, every step of the process has been enriching in its own way. I have gained invaluable leadership skills and knowledge, that would help me in my future endeavours. I am also thankful to our advisor, Rekha Rathore from CSIP, for providing guidance and support every step of the way. I am also grateful for this opportunity and the bond I have established with the club and its members. I will cherish it for the rest of my life.

(Nidhi Kalagarla is the Operations Head of Anitya, the Social Impact Club. She is an undergraduate student from the batch of 2024 at Ashoka University)