Udupi: When the “Ice Bucket challenge” was converted into the “Rice Bucket challenge” it was a small step towards the alleviation of poverty. The students of Manipal, took this challenge around the city through their efforts and made a difference to a lot of people.
The idea of rice bucket was developed by Manju Latha Kalanidhi at Hyderabad and she shared the new concept on Facebook.
Impressed by the same, Srinija, a third-year B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications (BAJC) at the School of Communication initiated the campaign here at Manipal. She donated three kg of rice to a female cobbler at the Udupi City Bus Stand.
Srinija called on every one to take the challenge; especially those who can afford to donate a minimum 3 kg rice to the needy.
She also opined that the ice bucket challenge campaign causes lots of water wastage and many get hurt physically while pouring the ice water on their head, instead it is wise to do something safe and helpful to others
Inspired with her small effort, her friends, juniors and others students followed her; one student said that though we have classes and project works, we find time after the class.
As soon as Ms. Srinija posted the challenge on her Facebook account, it was taken up by two of her juniors – Ayushi Jain and Bhooma Meghana, both students of first year BAJC. Ms. Jain said she donated three kg of rice to a labourer.
Another student of first year BAJC Karthik Rajagopal donated three kg of rice to a cobbler couple – Amavasai and Chinnathai from Salem in Tamil Nadu – in Udupi
The students want more and more publicity for the campaign and said that it should not be limited to the students only. Professionals, elders and youth should take this as a responsibility and come forward for the good cause.