Enactus is a global nonprofit organization that encourages students to use entrepreneurial action to create positive social impact. The Enactus organization at Rajalakshmi Engineering College in Thandalam has been a shining example of passionate student-driven initiatives for social change since its inception in 2006. It was through the collaborative efforts of motivated students, dedicated faculty coordinator, and supportive administrators that this vision for a better society was brought to life.
Disposal of flowers in rivers, oceans, etc, leads to water pollution as well as it adversely affects the aquatic life. The Ikebana project has started with successful production of scented candles. Enactus has been in the candle business for 6 months now. Soon we will enter the fertilizer market with our own fertilizer and in the fashion market with our scrubs.
With the huge outbreak of covid-19 we came up with an idea of selling masks and reassurance kits for safety purposes. We also worked on raising awareness about the importance of wearing masks and maintaining social distancing, as well as providing education on proper hand hygiene. We not only provided masks, we also sold sanitizers, gloves, bioenzyme cleaner and kabasura kudineer.
To manage the paper waste we came up with the idea of making paper seed pens. It is estimated that 2 tonnes of recycled paper saves 32000 litres of water, 4 cub/mtr landfill and 2.5 barrels of oil. The Kaagith Project serves as a shining example of how innovation and environmental consciousness can merge to create practical solutions for a greener future.
Our team is always on the go when it comes to competitions. We are delighted to be within the top 50 among the thousands of colleges from all over Tamilnadu in TamilNadu Student Innovators Programme (TNSI) for our project Ikebena. The top projects are to be funded by our government as an encouragement. We are selected within the first 141 ranks in the Prajjwala Challenge. We also participated in the Enactus Nationals event which goes by the tag WE ALL Win . The nationals provided us with good exposure and we gained a lots of insights on other products.
The core team of Enactus REC visited kiloy village in Sriperumbudur to engage the natives in making candles. Being a gram panchayat of 1413 people, our aim was intended to teach the habitants, the art of naturally scented candles. The villagers were intrigued and determined to know deeper about our project. They found it delightful to make aromatic candles from dried flower petals and beeswax. Most of the villagers were daily wage workers. This was an effort made to improve the livelihood of the people who lived in that village. They beamed with sense of pride after having learnt to make our exclusive candles. Our club is well driven to make sure that every project provides the people of low sustenance a good profit.
Dr. M. Millicent Mabel, Asst. Professor of biotechnology, as the coordinator of the Enactus club at Rajalakshmi Engineering College, has played a pivotal role in guiding and inspiring students to create positive social impact through entrepreneurial action. She took the initiative in guiding students and also providing them tremendous support!