Covid-19 pandemic is once-in-a-lifetime crisis. From Lockdown 1.0 to Unlock 1.0, India has heard numerous heartwarming stories of ordinary citizens rallying to the aid of the gravely impacted, attending to the nation’s critical needs and aiding the government machinery of settling down with the COVID challenges.
The 9,000 strong alumni network of IIM Kozhikode has also contributed to the COVID-19 relief efforts. The efforts began earlier in May with the setting up of an alumni relief fund, through an IIMK alumnus-owned portal dreamwallets.com. The community raised around ₹28 lakh through this 30-day funds crowdsourcing drive. It then prioritized food, PPE, and transportation support in collaboration with IIM Women Social action Group and well-known actor Sonu Sood. Notably, the community provided for travel support for the migrant labourers to go back to their hometowns in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and other states.
Meanwhile, the collected funds supported the meals for daily workers. The alumni association also distributed relief kits to families and hygiene kits to policemen. It supported shelters for children and artisans to survive the tough financial situation. It also contributed to the construction and management of an operation theatre and labour room for COVID-19 patients and provided medical care for bedridden and homecare for tribal cancer patients. Finally, the community also provided for daily fodder and medical expenses for animal shelters.
Through its journey, IIM Kozhikode Alumni Association (IIMKAA) has collaborated with Petoo.in, Govt Medical College Kozhikode, Shishumandir School, Abhudaya foundation, Make a difference foundation, contributed to food relief for the labourer in Mizoram, Kozhikode Police, Akshay Patra, Miharu, Sevanagar, Daya pain relief clinic, Educate Girls, Anjuman-I-Islam’s Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, People tree foundation, Goonj Foundation, Miles 2Smile IQRAA hospital and others.
“It was remarkable to see that all the causes were backed by IIMK Alumni, faculty and students. The current students of IIMK contributed by raising funds through various innovative initiatives like online art Action by Myartgarage.com, Digital posters by Misfit Monk and other online sporting events by the current sports and student communities,” said Deepika Raikwar, President, IIM Kozhikode Alumni Association (IIMKAA).
Alongside relief and aid work, the alumni association also spearheaded a gamut of online programs for this fundraiser and to help the alumni interact remotely during the last few months. The programs included weekly interactions with professors, panel discussions on career paths led by illustrious alumni, online quizzes and a five-hour-long virtual talent showcase marathon broadcast on IIMK’s YouTube channel. The Alumni network has, through a weekly series, titled ’Roll Call’, offered its community an opportunity to learn and develop management skills through talks and connects with the professors of IIMK, on its skill development platform (IIMKAN).
The Relief efforts were closed by a launch of a dazzling IIMK Anthem #Badloinmainclass on IIMK’s YouTube channel. The song has been written, composed, and sung by IIMK alumni and has been shot on the beautiful IIM campus.
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