Manipal: Volunteer Service Organization of Manipal University celebrating Daan Utsav from October 2 to 6, has come up with a brilliant idea of having a “Daan Rath” to propagate the joy of giving during the week. It was launched by the Vice Chancellor, Dr H. Vinod Bhat on Monday, and the Rath is already doing the rounds of the campus.

“Daan Rath is being used for the first time by VSO in Manipal,” said Anup Naha, Coordinator of VSO. This is the fourth edition of the Utsav. The Rath will go around the University campus and will make a brief halt at every institute. “People can donate whatever they choose, in kind, when the Rath is at their Institure,” Anup said. These will then be given to the needy.

India’s festival of giving’ got off a perfect start in Manipal University. Dr. H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor, Manipal University launched Daan Utsav at Manipal University by flagging off Tour de Manipal of Manipal Institute of Technology. The MIT students and faculty aim’s to connect Manipal Group campuses through cycling. Eleven of them were flagged off on their first leg to Mangalore campus. Bangalore and then Jaipur will follow. The VSO branch of Mangalore campus also launched the Daan Utsav celebrations by starting the ‘Gyaan Daan Saptah’ organized by Department of Forensic Medicine, KMC Mangalore.

Eleven events were planned and executed on the first day of the festival. The NCC Cadets did the ‘Swach Bharat Abhiyan’. The faculty of Manipal University supported the event. RedX and Rotaract Club of Manipal University organized a mass blood donation camp in which about 250 donated blood. ‘Aarogyaarpan’ was an event by the students from Manipal College of Nursing. They visited a slum in Indrali area and donated sanitary kits along with ration to the families.

The families were also given basic education on hygiene and sanitation. The Ecological Conservation and Habitat Restoration Organization (ECHO Manipal) conducted a plantation drive by planting 15 saplings on MIT campus to spread the awareness about importance of greenery.