We conduct ‘Thinking Social’ seminars and webinars at various institutes to promote social entrepreneurship.
IIM Calcutta Innovation Park organized a “Thinking Social Webinar” on“Post Covid – Mental Health on Corporate Workspace”. The speakers were Mr. Jay Ranjan Ram- a psychiatrist and Co-founder of the Mental Health Foundation. Mr.Soubhik Das- CEO & Cofounder of Manastik. Manastik provides Teleneurology services to dementia patients & caregivers using Artificial Intelligence. Ms.Harshita Lalchand- Cofounder at All is Well. It is a startup incubated by NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore. It is among the “Top 100 Women-led-startups” from the Women Start-up Program 3.0. Mr.C.D Mitra is a Strategy Coach & Mentor for Start-Ups & Entrepreneurs, Professor of Marketing, Corporate Master Trainer, Branding & Innovation Consultant, and Social Enterprise Evangelist.
The session was on the challenges faced by the employees covid in terms of mental health in the workplace. Workplace mental health includes leaders advocating resources and healthy culture, as well as managers proactively creating a safe, supportive and sustainable environment. Mental health is connected with emotions and communications. Enhancing access to mental health services including telepsychiatry, early assessment, treatment and psycho-social support, screening and support for specific groups where appropriate, implementing long-term measures to mitigate the impact of economic recession on mental health, and addressing stigma during the pandemic are paramount in addressing the problem.
IIM Calcutta Innovation Park organized a “Thinking Social Webinar” on the Pros & Cons Of Moving The Global Economy From A Fossil Fuel Base To Alternative Energy. The speakers were Mr. Piyush Jaju from Co-founder of SwitchON Foundation, ONergy Solar, ONganic Foods, and ONSkills. Mr. Syed Masihur Rab: CEO of Citadel Enterprise Pvt Ltd. He is an entrepreneur who is bringing innovations to the e-vehicle arena. Mr.Pankaj Choudhary –Co-founder of Carbon Minus. Mr. Ananth Aravamudan: He has more than 25 years in technological development, product R&D, and social entrepreneurship.
The session was on the change of the way of using energy sources. Its impact on socio-economy and humanity as well. There are a lot of pros and cons of renewable energy and fossil fuels, too. Both have a huge impact on the environment, energy sector, everyday life, and the future of humanity. The difference is even greater if we look at the pollution of coal vs solar energy. Coal is the most polluting fossil fuel on Earth, meanwhile, solar energy is not polluting at all.
IIM Calcutta Innovation Park organized a “Thinking Social Webinar” on “Handicrafts Supporting Sustainable Livelihood” The speakers were Priya Krishnamoorthy, Founder & CEO 200 Million Artisans. Madhura Dutta, Co-director, Banglanatok.com, Madhura Dutta Is a well-known name in the Culture & Development space. She is the co-director at Banglanatak dot com. Ankit Kumar, Co-Founder & CEO, Shoegaro. Kong laishah Rymbai is the successor of Kong Prissila Rymbai, who is the proprietor of “EriWeave”. Suman Mukhopadhyay: Director Bangla Natak dot com, Mentor of IIMCIP for the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Agiye Bangla and Smart 50.
The session was on how India has evolved as a leading Nation in terms of Crafts & Creativity post-pandemic. India being a country of rich heritage and culture, is not getting enough economical sustainability in terms of Handicrafts. The stereotype thinking of creativity as being a hobby rather than an economy must get a breakthrough. Advance training is required, there are only 1-2 buyers for artisans on average. It is a diverse sector that has huge scope to work on, good stories are required, and a narrative of enterprises is appealing.
IIM Calcutta Innovation Park organized a “Thinking Social Webinar” on “Breaking the Barriers- Undoing the implicative barriers of disability”. The speakers were Sumit Agrawal: Founder and CEO of PR Signal. He is the miracle man having cerebral palsy and 70% body restrictions who grew up isolated, now a founder of a PR company named PR Signal. Soumita Basu is the founder of Zyenika Inclusive Fashion which enables people with chronic illnesses, disabilities, and different body types to fulfill their basic need of dressing up, with ease and dignity. Llewellyn D’sa, is the CEO & Founder of Robo bionics. Under his leadership, Robo bionics won the National startup award 2021 under the Medical device category and the technology Harare mela 2022.
The session was on breaking the silos on disability and making the disability as inclusive. The word empathy is extensively overrated in the domain and it’s okay to call a person disabled rather than specially-abled or differently abled. The word sympathy and empathy is not required to treat them as equal is all that they are looking for. Not only the physical pressure but again the peer pressure of the society to prove themselves is always there the least that we can do is to accept them and not pity them.