The hype about the JOYFEST activities was much evident as volunteers of
the National Service Scheme of IIT-M took to a hitherto unscaled territory-
the hostel zone. A cheerful banner near 'Himalaya' had told the insti that
this is no wild dream of some desperate NSS coord, but something bigger.
E-mails about the programme had also reached each inbox to add to the general
enthusiasm.

Coordinators wearing the JOYFEST t-shirts and badges(sometimes worn on their
shirt-buttons, professionally!) led fleets of volunteers on bicycles to
the hostels assigned to each group. The volunteers, over 200 in total, proceeded
to their assigned wings geared up with the trademark 'NSS bags' and an informed
tongue. They left no room unstirred and bags started filling up. Those who
already knew about the programme handed heavy polythene bags to the beaming
volunteer prepared with his 'Hello's and 'Good afternoon's. Some were sorry
that they didn't quite have anything to give and others happy to be able
to contribute.That category which usually says, 'what pain da macha!' was
surprisingly absent. Angry faces woken up from sleep on a Sunday afternoon
'evolved' into smiling ones after the volunteers explained the whole exercise.
This aspect of the programme- the awareness and goodwill generated amidst
the actual collection- is its true success.

The sheer number and types of donations spoke volumes about the NSS' gross
underestimation of the hostels' ability to contribute. From clothes and
shoes, to books and to chocolates saved for an empty afternoon- everything
gave the volunteers a hard (but enjoyable) time. Moreover, the donations
truly reflected the spirit of the 'Joy of Giving' week (watch the promotional
video on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDtBD4PVDXc&feature=player_embedded).

For the organizers it was a unique experience and a source of valuable inputs
for future activities in the hostel zone. As a coord put it, “It was
a dream of the NSS family for the last two years to have some collection
programme in the hostel zone”. Now the feasibility of such an exercise
has been demonstrated to great success. We are made proud by the fact that
the student community of IIT Madras alone was able to contribute such a
significant amount of quality stuff to the needy people of our country.
It is simply exciting to be a part of the current focus on human development
in the developing countries by themselves (as against the old developed
nations-aid paradigm) and to rightly exist as some of the most fortunate
in the country.

M.Akhil - Member, NSS Family