Lucknow: Creative effort to help Kerala flood victims

Students of Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow (IIM-L) gathered at Fun Republic Mall on Sunday afternoon and took an initiative to ‘sell their art work’ to help flood victims in Kerala.

‘Sell the painting’ exercise undertaken by students of Strategic Business Negotiation was aimed at honing their negotiation and persuasion skills.

The money collected will go to the Kerala Flood Relief fund this year. The students called it “learning with a cause for a cause” as the state is witnessing the worst natural disaster in recent times.

“The students learn how to negotiate in a situation where there is limited time and the interaction is with strangers,” explained Himanshu Rai, professor at IIM-L, who teaches the subject.

Though many students made their paintings, but those who were not good with the brush and colours, used the other option of getting something painted on a piece of canvas from their friend, said Rai.

The students had to sell their paintings for more than Rs 100. “But as it was for a cause, people happily opened their heart and wallet and bought many of our paintings, even for Rs 1,500-2,000,” said Sambhavi Ganguly, a second year student at IIM-L.

Her friend helped her paint a portrait of a girl looking out from a window. This piece of art fetched Rs 1,500.

“The effort of making a painting for a cause, despite being novice, got us to appreciate the fact that every goal is achievable on a solid moral ground,” said Ria Neogy, who hails from Kolkata. It took her sometime to sell the piece of creativity as the footfall at the mall was less than usual due to rain on Sunday afternoon.

Ria Neogy sold her two paintings – one for Rs 1,200 that of a tree and another for Rs 500.

“I have had one of the best learning experiences in the Strategic Business Negotiation course taught by Prof Himanshu Rai. Through this course, I have not only learnt the intricacies of negotiation, but I am getting a chance to put my learning into practice with the painting activity,” said Nihar Tandra who hails from Hyderabad.

Nihar added, “Since painting happens to be my hobby, I have been looking forward for this task. I had painted a cartoon figure.”

“It was fun to negotiate with people. The exercise provided us a platform to actually put into practice whatever we have learnt in class so far. This activity has generated a lot of interest among the students, even among those who were not enrolled in the course,” said Anil Kumar, another student.

First Published: Aug 20, 2018 12:58 IST