Student Leader Interview - Ananya Verma, LSR

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1. Tell us more about your role & responsibilities at your college.

I headed a project called Friendicoes, under NSS, which is an NGO dedicated towards the betterment and welfare of animals. As a part of NSS, every project had a pre-decided number of volunteers to be a part of that team and serve the respective causes; however, Friendicoes had the highest number - 60. The project included looking after the campus dogs and their needs and also to serve the ones at the shelter. 

Jobs on campus included feeding the dogs, getting medical attention to sick or injured dogs and make sure their vaccinations are done on time. It was just like keeping a pet. At the shelter, dogs needed to be walked, their crates to be cleaned and other related stuff. As a project head, I needed to make sure that all that is done, on time. 

As a mandate in NSS, volunteers had to do a certain number of hours, so to keep a check on it was also my job. Maintaining their hour logs, motivating them to do their best, reprimanding volunteers who were lagging, organise fundraisers, it was a hectic one. But at the end of the day, I was glad I took up the role. 

2. How did you rise up to your position, and how can a student aspiring the same, approach it?

I started as a volunteer to the project and committed to it, so much so that my project heads noticed my efforts and gave me an entire sub-project to look after. I also won the 'Best Volunteer' certificate. 

I never stopped putting efforts and bagged the position of being the project heads of one of the 26 projects under NSS, LSR. And to anyone who aspires to take up a leadership role, you must commit and put in efforts so that people around you notice how much you feel for the project. 

3. What's it like to juggle between a leadership role and normal college life?

While in college, I was always juggling between the roles of being a student and paying attention to discipline as interesting as Psychology or give more and more to the cause I felt deeply for - serving animals. I won't say it was an easy choice because I had to give up one thing to have another, but it was a wholesome experience. 

From feeding my campus dogs, taking the ones in need to the vet, paying attention and time a team of 60 volunteers to pulling all-nighters to complete my practical reports and prepare for tests, I was always doing something. In the end, I passed the year and accomplished being the project head I always wished I had. 

4. What have been some of your biggest challenges and learnings from what you do?

Initially, I didn't realise that it would be too much to take at one go. It was hectic, undoubtedly and I was still learning. It took me a month or two, to get used to the schedule, to devote my after college hours, to manage time because Psychology was not easy on me, too. 

I wanted to give up mid-way. There were too many things to supervise like I stated above. One thing it taught me was patience. That there is no point rushing anything. The more calmly you analyse a problem, the better and reliable will be the solution. 

5. Do you enjoy the kind of influence you hold at such a young age?

Of course, yes. To be a guide to so many young minds, and help them show them how giving and loving animals are, meant a lot. It's always good to hear that I was there for my team, when they needed me and be their go-to person, I was glad my bond extended beyond professional role. 

Dealing with animals isn't easy because they can't communicate their needs, but to be a viable source to help the unspeakable was everything.

Interview by - Ananya Gosain