It’s digital creativity for Mumbai Rotaractors

Here is a 20-year-old Rotaract club that has embraced digital technology to open up a platform for its members to showcase their talent in photography, art and literary work. An online student ­magazine, Mozaic being run by RAC
N M College, RID 3141, attracts more than 70 submissions each month for its 10-page journal which caters to Mumbai’s youth.

Over the last six months, the web ­magazine has gained popularity with increasing hits as the entire design and content are nicely packaged by a ­Rotaract team led by its ­Digital Communications Director Aayush Dalal, who is also the ­editor of Mozaic. “Dalal ­coordinates with Masumi Doshi, a core team member, to bring out the digital magazine. We upload the pages on our social media handles, ­including ­Instagram, which has over 3,000 followers across Mumbai,” says Prachi Jiphra, Club ­President. “The ­magazine is open to outsiders also and not just limited to Rotaractors alone. We are keen to open the digital space for those who can write, ­comment and ­analyse the evolution of ­technologies which impact us in many ways.” With a ­membership of over 300 students, the web platform has opened an effective handle for the club to ­present its news and views for its growing subscribers.

Rotofest show

In December, they organised Rotofest, a multi-event ­extravaganza attracting Rotaractors, NGOs and college students from different parts of ­Mumbai. “We had around 15 ­contingents from colleges and Rotaract clubs for this two-day conclave which had a number of programmes covering fine arts, youth contests and social events for children from NGOs,” she says.

Under the ­Handful of Grains project, a team of 20 ­Rotaractors collected ­foodgrains from schools, ­institutions and residential colonies during a 20-day special drive, and distributed it to over 30 families in Usgaon, a village in Thane district.

In another ­community project, these Rotaractors give micro-loans to ­beneficiaries to start fruitful, self-sustainable ventures like candle-making and selling edible items. “We contact ­sponsors, create awareness on social media and mobilise donations to collect enough money to give loans to ­small-time ­artisans and aspiring ­entrepreneurs,” says Prachi.

Candle-light march

The Rotaractors took out a candle-light march from the ­Churchgate Railway station to the CST station to mark the 10th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. “We also ­performed a flash mob outside the CST station to create awareness among commuters on the 26/11 terror strike and pay homage to those killed in this dastardly attack,” she adds.