The session under the heading of ‘Understanding Target Group: Migrant Workers’ was facilitated by the AICUF on 07 th December, in the AV Room, was organized in order to introduce and acclimatize the Target group to the members of AICUF, and to chalk out a framework of plan of action for the academic year. The programme that enjoyed the participation of over 70 AICUF members was inaugurated and addressed by Fr. Arun Luis SJ, the Director of the Social Works at Ashirvad, Bangalore. Having worked with the Migrant workers and especially the construction migrant workers Fr. Arun laid bare before the audience the plight of the migrant workers in Bangalore and the hardships they have to undergo to meet basic and minimal requirements of work and life. The exposition revolved around the areas of concern that are faced by the migrant workers, their settlement, living conditions, interventions and aids already provided and the various organizational setup that is built up already to address several of their issues. Further elaborating on the challenges facing the migrant workers Fr. Arun listed out the means by which the students of SJCL and especially the AICUF members can be a source of support in ways small and big to further the humane conditions of the migrant workers in Bangalore.

Addressing at the event Fr. Jerald D’ Souza SJ, outlining the role of the AICUF in reaching out to the people, invited the committee to be project oriented and not event oriented and suggested the members to assimilate the learnings of Fr. Arun and team in handling a greater movement of such kind. Mr Thomas Alexandar the coordinator also emphasized the need to be SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound) in forming goals, even at providing a tangible and significant helping hand.

By Thomas Alexandar J
The coordinator