Since Indian universities have started conducting classes online there have been numerous complaints of unavailability of resources like laptops that has become a hindrance to continuing education.IIT Bombay has set an example by crowdsourcing Rs 4 crores from its alumni and the public till date. A total of 700 students have received help till now.
Announcing the success of the initiative, Director Dr Subhasis Chaudhuri said that it is overwhelming to see such a response. He also shared a few pieces of interaction between the donors and the students in a Facebook post from his official account. "Through this portal I solicited funding support from public as well as from our own alumni, before the start of the semester, for the benefit of those who would not have laptops to attend the online courses. A large number of people came forward and we raised about Rs 4 crores and we supported all students whoever needed the help," wrote Dr Chaudhuri as he thanked everyone for their support.
The Director also shared responses that have poured in from the students who have got the laptops. "I am a second-year student from the Energy Science and Engineering Department. I live in a small village in Haryana. I want to be a professor and for that I have to study well in my current course. Nowadays all the classes are online and to attend them I needed a laptop. Today I have a laptop and I am attending all the lectures in the proper way. Thanks a lot for such a great support. Your generosity has helped me to be one step closer to my goal and has inspired me to help others by giving back to the community. I hope, one day I will be able to help other students achieve their goal just as you have helped me," wrote a student.
The donations are still on at https://acr.iitb.ac.in/donation/
