Kartavya: Why Ride a Bike When You Can Drive the Nation?

People complain about how things are not working, how the politicians and the government are not doing enough. Politicians are corrupt, system is messed up blah blah blah… I should admit even I have complained. How many times have you heard people around you saying “Hume apne desh k liye kuch karna hai!” and actually doing it? I found a group of students who wanted to do something for the society they live in and are doing it.

Kartavya-DTU, a startup by students of Delhi Technological University, is an attempt to remind the leaders of tomorrow about their social responsibility which has become a matter of great relevance in today’s world. “We had no compulsion to do it but just an inner call to give back to the society in what little way we could” shares Ankit Goel, Founder and President of Kartavya DTU.Kartavya-DTU which was started by a group of friends who had an urge to work for the society has now become the most active social group in the campus and is already reaching out to a number of social issues like women safety, child labor, child literacy and environmental degradation “The wide domain we work in makes us quite unique” Ankit adds. Kartavya-DTU being entirely a student-run startup and not being controlled by any external authority empowers them to directly plan, access and impact the problems faced by society without any external politics. “With startups booming in all money making sectors, I felt it is equally important for students to step into social field where we can explore our potential and utilize our time to help people. Just as a business helps the economy grow, we believe in helping India grow” exclaims Ankit.

Kartavya-DTU plans to branch out to other colleges to address social issues. They have carried out plantation drives, books and clothes donation camps and women defense workshops. A unique event was organized in which orphans were shown movies in the college premises. Kartavya-DTU also teaches mathematics, science and basic computers to the under privileged and provides them books for free.The members and volunteers of Kartavya-DTU are equally excited with the work they do. “It made me realize that our contributions are not enough and how much more we can do to our society” shares Vidit Aggarwal, Vice-President, Kartavya-DTU. "Working in kartavya has always been a great experience ! Through kartavya I contribute my bit to the society. Its so wonderful to be a part of Kartavya-DTU", shares Shreya Gupta, a 2nd year student at DTU. Anjali Shankar, General Secretary and a volunteer since the inception says, “It feels amazing to serve the needy in the society along with our immediate family!”

“Koi NGO kyun ni join kar lete?” claims many people who doubt that such a social venture will work out. “We had to invest our money to get things going and we still do not have a regular sponsor. The efforts of our team brought some recognition when Kartavya-DTU won the National Student Entrepreneurship Forum’s ‘Young Innovator Program’ in Delhi region. Most of the societies today are more interested in profit producing startups. Ours was a joy producing startup as I call it” shares Ankit.How do you manage college and startup at the same time?

“I still feel I have time to start 3 more and so does each one of us” Ankit says with a smile. Kartavya-DTU presently operates from college, but have plans to move to a permanent office in days to come. Operating from college saves you money, you see.

The founders feel satisfied and find immense pleasure as they are able to use their leadership skills for a social cause. “If you really feel like starting something just do it! College is the best place to try, fail, learn and succeed” he advises with a blink.

“It is our basic responsibility to give back to the society, and that’s how we named the startup as ‘Kartavya’ the Hindi acronym for the same” concludes Ankit.

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