XLRI Jamshedpur’s social initiatives committee, Team SIGMA-oikos, led by Agnim Chakraborty, successfully concluded Daan Utsav 2025, the institute’s annual celebration of the Joy of Giving Week, held from October 24th to 31st. The week-long festival witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, faculty, and staff, reaffirming XLRI’s commitment to community welfare and sustainable development. Over 10,000 lives are expected to be impacted.
The closing ceremony, graced by Smt. Smitha Pankaj (IFS), Regional Chief Conservator of Forests, Singhbhum, Jharkhand, Fr. Donald D’Silva, S.J., Dean (Administration & Finance), and Dr. Sanjay Patro, Dean (Academics), celebrated the collective spirit of giving that defined this year’s edition.
This year’s campaign raised more than ₹2.19 lakh, marking a 61% increase over last year, through the Wish Tree initiative supported by more than 350 donors. Alongside, the Cloth Donation Drive collected clothes from 14 schools and campus contributors, amounting to over 30,500 clothes, more than double last year’s record and were distributed to 4100+ individuals in 25+ villages. The funds and collected clothes will benefit partner NGOs Utthaan, People for Change, and ALIG, which work for transgender empowerment, vocational training for children, and food-grain distribution to underprivileged families. The collected clothes will be distributed across some of the remotest parts of Jharkhand via SEEDS.
Complementary initiatives added to the spirit of service. The Menstrual Awareness Drive reached over 200 women, distributing ₹45,000+ worth of sanitary pads and promoting hygiene education in rural areas. The First-Aid Training equipped 150+ students with life-saving skills, while Digital Literacy and Art Mela sessions engaged 60+ children, nurturing creativity and digital confidence. Under the Gift of Time initiative, 24+ volunteers spent quality time with 200+ residents of R.P. Patel Cheshire Home and Nirmal Hriday old-age homes, spreading warmth and companionship. In collaboration with Udaan Foundation, the Diya and Candle Stall supported artisans with visual impairment, achieving ₹42,500 in sales, up 52% from the previous year’s ₹27,800.
Speaking at the ceremony, Fr. D’Silva remarked, “We may be privileged, but true leadership lies in service. Daan Utsav reminds us that each small act of kindness creates ripples of hope in society.”
The Chief Guest, Smt. Smitha Pankaj, lauded the students’ efforts and encouraged them to continue uplifting underserved communities. As a symbolic legacy, she urged Team SIGMA-oikos to plant a tree on campus, one that would grow over the years and welcome them back as alumni.
With record-breaking participation and heartfelt community impact, Daan Utsav 2025 stood as a proud expression of XLRI’s enduring ethos, “For the Greater Common Good.”
