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Food is one of the most important aspects of our daily lives. Not only is it essential for our survival, but it also plays a significant role in our culture, social lives, and overall well-being. From the way we prepare and consume it, to the nutrients it provides, food is a fascinating topic that we can explore endlessly. In this blog, we’ll dive into the various aspects of food and how it impacts our lives.

First and foremost, food is a necessity for our survival. We need it to provide us with the energy and nutrients necessary to function properly. However, not all foods are created equal, and it’s important to consume a balanced diet that includes a variety of different foods. Our bodies require a range of nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Consuming a well-balanced diet ensures that we get all of these essential nutrients, which is vital for our health and well-being.

But food is more than just sustenance. It’s also a social and cultural experience. We gather around food for celebrations, holidays, and family gatherings. We bond over meals, share recipes, and pass down traditions from generation to generation. Food is an essential part of our culture and identity, and it’s through food that we can connect with others and share our experiences.

The way we prepare and consume food is also a critical aspect of our lives. Food can be prepared in countless ways, from grilling to baking, steaming to frying. Each method of preparation imparts a different flavor and texture to the food, and it’s through these techniques that we can experiment with different cuisines and flavors. Additionally, the way we consume food is equally important. Eating mindfully and taking the time to savor and enjoy our meals can help us appreciate the flavors and textures of the food and prevent overeating.

Food also has a significant impact on our physical and mental health. A poor diet can lead to a range of health problems, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. On the other hand, a healthy and balanced diet can help prevent these health problems and improve our overall well-being. Additionally, certain foods contain compounds that can positively impact our mental health, such as omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and nuts, which can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

It’s also worth noting that the food industry and agriculture have a significant impact on our environment. Industrial farming practices, such as monoculture and heavy pesticide use, can have adverse effects on the environment and contribute to climate change. Additionally, the food industry is responsible for a significant amount of waste, from the production of plastic packaging to the disposal of uneaten food. As consumers, we can make more conscious choices about the food we consume, such as buying from local farmers, reducing food waste, and choosing sustainably sourced foods.

Finally, food is a never-ending source of creativity and inspiration. Chefs around the world experiment with different ingredients and techniques to create new and exciting dishes. Food bloggers share their favorite recipes and food photography, inspiring others to try new foods and cuisines. And for those who love to cook, the kitchen is a playground for creativity, experimentation, and exploration.

In conclusion, food is a multifaceted and essential aspect of our lives. It’s through food that we can connect with others, express our creativity, and nourish our bodies and minds. However, it’s also important to be mindful of the impact that our food choices have on the environment and our health. By making conscious choices about the food we consume, we can create a healthier, more sustainable, and more flavourful world.

Written by: Rtr. Lithila Mahagedara,
Rtr. Dinura Wanigasekara and
Rtr. Akna Wijesingha

Edited by: Rtr. Imesha Ilangasinghe

Jumpstart is a name synonymous with the Rotaract Club of Achievers Lanka Business School, having been widely recognized for its efforts in providing a platform for jumpstarting the entrepreneurial journeys of young ideators since its inception. Being a signature project of the club, Jumpstart has also been the recipient of multiple awards and accolades year after year, a true testament to the impact it has made within the Sri Lankan startup arena and the Rotaract movement.

The main phase of this year’s installment of Jumpstart was Pitch It! Win It! The primary goal of the project’s first phase was to provide young entrepreneurs with a stage to showcase their business ideas or early-stage startups and compete for attractive prizes, including legal consultation and one-to-one mentoring sessions from Sri Lanka’s leading business coaching, leadership training, and mentoring institutions.

The Pitch It! Win It! phase of Jumpstart 2022 began in October and went through several events, including an introductory session, workshop series, preliminary round, mentoring sessions, etc. During the preliminary round, registered teams presented their business ideas to a panel of judges. After careful evaluation, the judges shortlisted four teams for the finale: Journe, Rayora, The Empress Kingdom, and Pluton Productions.

The finalists participated in three one-to-one mentoring sessions conducted by Mr. Mohammed Mafaz and Mr. Suwimal Rupasinghe, representing our Official Mentor Partners Show and Tell Presentations and the Biz Show LK, to prepare for the finale. Additionally, they went through a case study round where they were given a customized case study that revolved around their business idea. They were required to make a report based on the case study and present it to the judges before the finale. This round put their skills to the test and assessed their ability to face real-life problems that could potentially occur in their businesses.

The Pitch It! Win It! Finale was held on March 11th, 2023, at the Sri Lanka Technological Campus (SLTC) of TRACE Expert City. 

Here, the finalists pitched their business ideas to the judges once more after making improvements based on the one-to-one mentoring sessions they received. The panel of judges consisted of Mr. Shohan Kulasuriya, Ms. Nevindee Amarasinghe, and Ms Pulani Ranasinghe. The keynote speaker for the event was Mr. Ahamed Tharick Razick, who spoke about the importance of being passionate about what you do and provided words of encouragement for the finalists, urging them to continue and develop their business idea without limiting them to the competition.

The event concluded with Journe being declared the winner of the Pitch It! Win It! phase of Jumpstart 2022, followed by Rayora as the first runner-up, Pluton Productions as the second runner-up, and The Empress Kingdom as the finalist. 

Each of the four teams was awarded a set of prizes that included legal consultation hours by E-Law Chambers, one-to-one mentoring sessions by Curveup, Ramindu Randeni Leadership Academy, Good Life X, and Soulbound Tokens by Niftron. On the 24th of January, the finalists had their initial individual session with Good Life X at Trace Expert City. The following day, on the 25th of January, they had their second session with Mr Ramindu Randeni at the Ramindu Randeni Leadership Academy. During these sessions, they gained valuable insights on various topics such as evaluating product suitability, recognizing target markets and customers, as well as delving deeply into their personal and business concepts.

The Rotaract Club of Achievers Lanka Business School would like to thank its Bronze Sponsor, Sri Lanka Technological Campus, and its partners TRACE – Sri Lanka, IEEE Innovation Nation Sri Lanka, Good Life X, Curveup, Niftron, E-Law Chambers, Show and Tell Presentations, The Biz Show, Ceylon Today, ChoKoLAATe, Foto Design, and Loshi’s Bakes for making the event possible. A special thank you goes out to Mr. Hasanka Padukka and Mr Manodya Nabadawewa for their immense support in making this event a success.

The club would like to extend its gratitude to the keynote speaker and the judges for their time, knowledge, and insight in selecting and encouraging the finalists. Finally, congratulations to the finalists for making it this far, and best of luck in all their future endeavors. 

Jumpstart 2022 will be back with some exciting initiatives designed especially for young ideators and entrepreneurs. Stay tuned to our social media pages for more updates! 

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jumpstart_achievers/ 

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Jumpstart.Achievers 

Linkedin- https://www.linkedin.com/company/jumpstart-by-rotaract-club-of-achievers-lanka-business-school 

Written by: Rtr. Hiruni Hettiarachchi
& Rtr. Gavin Dias Abeygunewardene

Edited by: Rtr. Imesha Ilangasinghe

Anime is a term that refers to a style of Japanese animated entertainment that has become increasingly popular around the world. The word “anime” is derived from the Japanese pronunciation of the English word “animation”. While it originated in Japan, anime has a dedicated fanbase all over the world, with millions of people tuning in to watch the latest episodes of their favorite shows.

Japanese Animations are well-known for its distinct visual style that features colorful characters with large eyes and exaggerated facial expressions. It covers a wide range of genres, from action-adventure to romance, science fiction to comedy. Anime also often tackles complex themes and topics, including politics, social issues, and philosophy.

The history of anime can be traced back to the early 1900s, when Japanese filmmakers began experimenting with animation techniques. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s and 70s that anime began to develop its own unique identity. This period saw the rise of popular anime series such as “Astro Boy” and “Gatchaman”, which helped to establish many of the tropes and themes that would come to define the genre.

Today, anime continues to thrive in Japan and around the world, with countless new shows being produced every year. It has become a major cultural export, with many anime series being dubbed into multiple languages and distributed globally. Anime also has a strong presence online, with dedicated fan communities and streaming platforms making it easier than ever to access and enjoy anime content.

Anime is a unique and diverse form of animated entertainment that has captured the hearts of millions of people around the world. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious about the genre, there’s no denying the impact that anime has had on popular culture, and its influence shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

There is a significant growth over the past few decades for Anime in terms of its popularity and its impact on global culture. From its early origins in Japan to its current status as a major cultural export, anime has become an important part of the entertainment industry and a beloved art form for millions of fans around the world.

One factor contributing to anime’s growth has been its expanding availability through various media channels. In the past, anime was primarily distributed through VHS tapes or DVDs, limiting its reach to a niche audience. However, with the advent of online streaming services and digital downloads, anime has become more accessible than ever. Popular streaming platforms such as Crunchyroll and Funimation provide fans with easy access to thousands of anime titles, many of which are subtitled or dubbed in multiple languages.

Anime’s growing popularity can also be attributed to the global appeal of Japanese pop culture. Anime has played a significant role in the spread of Japanese culture around the world, with fans embracing everything from Japanese fashion and music to food and technology. Japanese anime studios have also capitalized on this trend by creating content that appeals to international audiences, including English-speaking voice actors and diverse storylines.

Moreover, anime has gained a new generation of fans through the popularity of social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. These platforms allow fans to create and share their own anime-inspired content, from cosplay photos to fan art and memes. This has helped to build a vibrant online community of anime enthusiasts who share their love for the medium and engage with new and classic anime titles.

Finally, the increased recognition and critical acclaim for anime has contributed to its growth. Anime films such as “Your Name” and “Weathering With You” have received worldwide acclaim, winning awards and breaking box office records. The success of these films, as well as the growing appreciation for anime as an art form, has helped to raise the profile of anime and attract new fans.

In conclusion,  anime’s growth can be attributed to a variety of factors, including its expanding availability through digital platforms, its global appeal, the popularity of social media, and its increasing recognition as an important art form. As anime continues to evolve and gain new fans around the world, it is clear that it has become a major cultural force with a bright future ahead.

Written by: Rtr. Sivashanker Sivacumaran

Edited by: Rtr. Imesha Ilangasinghe

Embracing the true spirit of the holiday season, the Rotaract Club of Achievers Lanka Business  School planned “A Christmas to Remember” project to celebrate Christmas in 2022. This project  was organized by community services avenue. 

Marking the true significance of Christmas by giving more than receiving, the purpose of the  project was to help the less fortunate during Christmas. In phase one of “A Christmas to  Remember”, we raised funds to provide essential groceries to people in need. Phase 1 of the  project kicked off on December 16 and was completed on December 28, 2022. We successfully collected monetary donations in Phase 1 of the project.  

Uncle Christo, who works at the Achievers Lanka Business School has been struggling financially  due to the economic impacts of Sri Lanka. He has been a great help to the Rotaract Club as well.  We, therefore, decided to show our gratitude by supporting him financially in his most difficult  moments. Therefore, dry rations, stationary donations worth LKR 13,000, and an LKR 2000  voucher to purchase fresh produce were gifted to Uncle Christo, from the collected monetary  funds.

In Phase 2 of “A Christmas to Remember”, the members of the Rotaract Club of Achievers Lanka  Business School along with the Rotaract members from RACNSBM, RAC Alumni of the University  of Moratuwa and RAC Colombo Mid City got together to spend an evening purposefully with  elders at Methodist Elders’ Home-Kirulapone. We celebrated the wonderful Christmas by Singing  Carols and creating memories with the elders. In addition to Phase 2 of the project, “A Christmas  to Remember”, the “Food Voyager – Phase 2” project took place at the elders’ home. Together  with all the participants and the elders, we made Christmas cookies and decorated them. Phase  2 of the two projects took place on December 28th from 2:30 P.M. onwards. Since sharing is  caring, the baked cookies were then shared among participants and elders, making the month of  December memorable.

This concludes the lineup of the project “A Christmas to Remember” for the 2nd Quarter by the  Rotaract Club of Achievers Lanka Business School. Carrying the festive spirit, love, and goodwill  in our hearts, we celebrated Christmas in 2022 by giving back to the community.

Written by: Rtr. Imesha Ilangasinghe

The Rotaract Club of Achievers Lanka Business School transitioned to yet another glorious year with their 13th Installation Ceremony. This marked an unforgettable day in the calendar of RACALBS, as the newly appointed board of officials began their year of “Redefining a Legacy”.

The ceremony was a sight to see! The path leading to the stage was illuminated with jars of flowers and fairy lights, and the event begun with the lighting of the oil lamp decorated beautifully by the incoming board members.

The outgoing president Rtr. Bipash Suriyage called the ceremony to order, followed by the National Anthem, Rotaract Formalities, and welcome address by the project chairpersons Rtr. Seshan Kingsley and Rtr. Zulfiquar Aysha.

Next, the guests got a glimpse into the club’s amazing journey throughout the past year with the secretary’s report presented by Rtr. Sandithi Jagoda.

Then came the time for the outgoing president to address the gathering one last time.

In his speech, Rtr. Bipash fondly reminisced his year as president. After presenting tokens of appreciation and certificates to several dignitaries and his board of directors, Rtr. Bipash received a token from his board members.

It was finally time to introduce the incoming president of the club, Rtr. Sandithi Jagoda, who was collared as the 13th President of RACALBS!

Rtr. Sandithi addressed the gathering as the newly appointed president, following which she inducted her new board of directors.

District Rotaract Representative Rtn. Rtr. PP Ahamed Hussain, District Rotaract Chair Rtn. PP Farzana Khan, and Chief Guest and President of the Rotary Club of Colombo Mid Town Rtn. Dhamitha Pathirana then took the stage to address the audience.

Rtr. Sandithi then presented tokens to several dignitaries, followed by felicitations and the vote of thanks delivered by the newly appointed secretary Rtr. Vinuri Ramanayake.

The event ended with a beautiful rendition of ‘Master Sir’ by directors Rtr. Mahira Dissanayake and Rtr. Hiruni Hettiarachchi, with Rtr. Sandithi terminating the 13th Installation Ceremony of RACALBS.

Written by: Rtr. Hiruni Hettiarachchi

Photographs courtesy of Charaka Welihinda Photography

Although we are all destined to live on this planet, how we live does make a difference. We prefer to look the best and dress according to fashion. The purpose of life gets enhanced by fashion, and it updates us about current trends. Before getting to know a person, the first impression we notice is how they dress and look. Therefore, it can be stated that fashion is a silent language.

“Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of life”

– Bill Cunningham

Meaning of Fashion

Our level of life is raised and improved through fashion. The way we act, the technology we use, and everything else we pick are all based on current trends.

Have you ever considered where we spend the majority of our earnings? Most of our income is spent on fashion-related expenses such as shopping, branded things, and eating out. The majority of us are not going to think of dining outdoors as a part of fashion, but it is. Starting from scratch, up until it gets served to customers, the entire process of the food-making and dining experience is an art. When it comes to outdoor dining, the expansion of food trucks along the roadways is a reflection of the growing trend of eating from mobile kitchens. 

Fashion goes hand in hand with the food industry when the customers bring value to it. A great example would be, having fun in the great outdoors and uploading images, and videos on social media. This builds social media trends and marketing standards to promote businesses and much more.

The need to keep up with the latest styles and trends in fashion is what usually drives many of us to work harder and earn more money. Fashion allows us to conceal our physical defects and seem more appealing, boosting our self-actualization and confidence.

Additionally, we can argue that fashion plays a significant part in the generation gap. If we were to look at old photographs of our parents and grandparents, we would notice that they all used to dress differently. They had various hairstyles and chose different colors and shoes. All these are according to the trends and social acceptances of the time.

“Fashion is about something that comes from within you”

– Ralph Lauren

We should acknowledge that fashion is a significant aspect of life that cannot be ignored. It is something that connects you to society is fashion. For instance, the once-famous tech giant Nokia collapsed because it failed to innovate in line with the trend, although its competitors did with rapid adaptability. In the information and technology field, Apple company made sure to set technological trends and standards. It resulted in them having the highest long-term customer base in the market. The Apple company became globally famous because of their insightfulness and detail in their product with impeccable customer satisfaction.

Fashion nowadays plays a significant role in people’s lives. It now serves as a means of expression. It never fails to draw attention and is accessible to everyone, regardless of age. Do not slow down no matter how old you are; instead, enjoy every moment to the utmost.

Written by: Rtr. Ashfaq Ahamed

Edited by: Rtr. Imesha Ilangasinghe

“Success is Not Final; Failure is Not Fatal: It is the Courage to Continue that Counts”

Different people interpret success in many different ways. For some it may be having a multi-storied house, driving the most expensive car, having a six-figure in your bank or it may be even having a beautiful family. Despite success in that a very opinioned definition, people often struggle in reaching the “success” they give opinions to because all humans are never content when satisfying their wants. But the fact that people miss out on is that without failure there is no success. We are often scared to fail, scared to take a risk, and scared to make a big step but it’s the courage to hold on Despite our fear of failure, it keeps us going. We often look at failure on a negative aspect rather than looking into the silver lining of the dark cloud.

Moving towards the idea we call success, requires a lot of hard work, consistency, discipline, endurance, and most importantly the quality to enjoy the journey despite the pain and hardships that come our way. It is always hard to start, harder to keep moving, and even harder to finish. However, often when things get hard, we tend to quit, we feel it is too much, and we feel tired but we always need to remember that a quitter never wins and a winner never quits. It’s a deliberate choice we need to make to put in the work, and make sacrifices on the things we love and enjoy the most, like our sleep, our eating patterns our idling hours for a temporary time to reach a permanent freedom awaiting the other side of the line. People are often lazy to do so. They feel that running on the infinity loop is okay to do because everyone does it, but if it’s easy, everyone would be doing it and, that’s why the person who wakes up with a strong determination, makes that hard decision, stands above the average than the many others who run on the infinity loop.

Throughout the journey people will try to bring us down and, more than others it is sometimes our mind that brings us down by filling the energy inside of us with negativity and downfall. Rather than admiring the success of another person and speaking about their journey, we must make it a point to create our own success story making it a beautiful one for many to read and to be inspired. After all, there is a difference between a person that works eighteen hours a day and sleeps eighteen hours a day.

“If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right.”

— Admiral William H. McCraven

Sometimes it’s the little things that go a long way. We are all born with the potential to change the world but it’s that we haven’t found a purpose or the eagerness to unlock the potential. Sometimes we think it’s about making a big move at once, opening a big company at once, or driving a luxury car at once but good things take time. Even little things like making your bed every morning can add a positive attitude to your day, giving you a sense of pride that you have achieved something small.

“Great successes come through great failures”

If not for Michael Jordan not being chosen to his high school basketball team, if not for Walt Disney being told he “lacked creativity,” if not for Abraham Lincoln being rejected many times to enter politics, if not for Oprah Winfrey being told she was “unfit for TV” they wouldn’t be the people that they are today, whom we admire, love and respect a lot. If it wasn’t for their failures there wouldn’t be such a major success. The most successful stories are the ones that have the most bitter-sweet failures. So, when failure knocks you down make sure to pat yourself on the back and remember you have a purpose, and most importantly remember why you started.

“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”

– Vincent Van Gogh

Written by: Rtr. Gavin Dias

Edited by: Rtr. Loshini Gnanasambanthan

Jumpstart was launched as a signature project of the Rotaract Club of Achievers Lanka Business School under the Professional Development avenue, for students to get corporate exposure and jumpstart their professional careers. Over time, it modified into a platform that gives aspiring entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka the opportunity to kickstart their entrepreneurial journeys. Since its inception in 2017, Jumpstart has undergone multiple exhilarating changes that have opened up countless opportunities for its participants and substantially enhanced their professional lives.

If you are someone that wishes to become a successful entrepreneur with a business idea that could change the course of history but feels you don’t have the necessary skills or understanding of startups, then Jumpstart is the ideal place for you!

Read on to find out everything you need to know about Jumpstart 2022!

This year’s theme for Jumpstart is ‘Empower, Embolden, Emblaze’, which perfectly sums up our aim to empower aspiring entrepreneurs to step up to the challenge, embolden them with all the tools and skills necessary to take their first steps, and help emblaze their entrepreneurial journey.

Jumpstart 2022 will happen under three categories:

1. Boardroom Challenge 
2. Pitch It! Win It!
3. Shark Tank

Introduction session

An introduction session will be held at the start of the event to make potential participants aware of why they should participate in Jumpstart this year.

Boardroom Challenge

This challenge is aimed at students of Achievers Lanka Business School, where they can prop their ideas and learn through trial by analysing companies. The students will be divided into teams and instructed to run a case study on the standards provided. Ultimately, they will dispense the information gathered by presentations to a panel of judges on preset criteria.

Pitch It! Win It!

A platform where entrepreneurs and idea wizards may present their business ideas to a panel of judges and compete for huge prizes to jumpstart their venture. All Pitch It! Win It! contestants are required to attend a number of workshops tailored to improve their performance in the preliminary round.

Workshop Series

A series of workshops will be organised, which aims to inform participants about several important aspects that should be taken into account when developing their business ideas and ultimately experiencing success. These seminars will be crucial in helping the participants get ready and equipped since they will provide them with a general understanding of entrepreneurship, starting with the fundamentals, and help them prepare the best possible pitch for Pitch It! Win It!

The series will be comprised of the following workshops:

1. Problem Identification: 25th November
2. Business Canvas Model: 1st December
3. Finance and Bookkeeping: 6th December 
4. Intellectual Property Rights & Data Protection for Startups: 8th December
5. Digital Marketing
6. Preparing a Proper Business Plan
7. Pitch Perfect

Prior to the Preliminary Round, the contestants will get a fantastic opportunity to advance their skills through the workshop series, and all the Pitch it! Win it! contestants are encouraged to participate in them.

Preliminary Round

The participants will pitch their business ideas at the Pitch It! Win It! – Preliminary Round after the workshop series. The choice of using Sinhala, Tamil, or English for their presentations is up to the participants. Translators can be arranged for participants that require them with prior notice to the organisers. The presentations will be followed by a Q&A session with the judges. The participants will be quizzed on topics including the application, viability, return on investment, etc. of their business ideas. The teams with the most creative business ideas will move on to the Finale.

If chosen for the finals, each finalist will also be assigned a mentor who will aid them in getting ready for the Finale.

Grand Finale

The Pitch It! Win It! – Grand Finale will feature the Preliminary Round finalists. Each team will be given assignments to evaluate their capabilities in various areas, including strategic thinking and decision-making. After the Preliminary Round, details on the Finale’s specific format will be released.

The top three Pitch It! Win It! teams will each receive prizes that will help them grow their companies. Prizes worth LKR 100,000 will be given to the winners in this category, including co-working spaces, IT solutions, HR solutions, portfolio solutions, web hosting, and mentoring.

Registrations for Pitch It! Win It! will be open real soon!

Shark Tank

This will be a networking event, done in the guise of a competition, where growth-stage startups will be able to meet with potential investors from a variety of industries who might be interested in providing them with capital in exchange for a return for equity in their companies. This category is for people or groups who run growing businesses.

After enrolling, contestants will be asked to present an overview of their startup based on the following criteria as part of the selection process for this category:

1. Existing revenue generation
2. Scalability
3. Profitability/impact
4. Business Model
5. Traction

After several rounds of discussions, the chosen individuals or teams will get the chance to pitch their business to potential investors. The participants will receive professional advice from potential investors, and a chosen number of businesses will get the opportunity to participate in advanced incubation or acceleration programs, which could eventually lead to potential investments. Additionally, they will gain from the opportunity to forge enduring relationships with customers.

Registrations for Shark Tank will be opening after the Workshop Series!

If you are an ideator or an entrepreneur, Jumpstart 2022 is not an opportunity you want to miss. Stay connected with the social media pages of Jumpstart by the Rotaract Club of Achievers Lanka Business School for more information!

Written by: Rtr. Hiruni Hettiarachchi & Rtr. Himaki Mendis

Edited by: Rtr. Vinuri Ramanayake

Before we understand the concept of gender equality, we need to ensure that we have a fundamental idea of what equality means. Making sure that each individual has an equal opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents, despite the major demographic factors inclusive of religion, race, and gender, is considered to be one of the most essential factors required to ensure that equality among the cultures or sexes is nurtured. Gender equality is a human right that expects all genders to be provided with equal chances and opportunities in all aspects.

Dating back to when women were only expected to engage in domestic duties, it is evident that they were viewed as the weaker part of the community. Their opinions were often neglected when it comes to making certain decisions due to the common practice of relying on men for financial support.

Due to societal norms around the world, the majority expects women to be patient and soft. They are working for the “man that provides for the family”. Upon review, it can be stated that being born as a female is considered an offense in some parts of the world, taking into consideration the fact that the mother is blamed by those who have not been educated from a biological standpoint, about the said “mishap”.

“Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong.”

– Emma Watson

Other than these two genders, the different genders such as non-binary, transgender, etc. have been going through many hardships for a very long time. They were not even treated and accepted as a part of society for years. And they still find it challenging to live a simple everyday life. History shows us enough evidence that society has never been fair to them. Although we can see the state of acceptance by society, and the improvement of people’s attitudes towards them, they continue to face exclusion and discrimination. These occur in the industries such as education, employment, and health care – as well as within homes and communities. And many were harassed, beaten, sexually assaulted, tortured, and killed.

We can start attaining Gender equality from the smallest part of the community, which is home. We can begin by accepting them, showing respect, and cooperating. Parents have the habit of providing pink to girls and blue to boys, buying cars and gun toys for the boys and dolls and kitchen sets for the girls. As parents, we should encourage our children to respect their differences and give them a proper environment to grow, learn, preserve and be non-biased about their choice of colors, toys, and games. Whatever a child sees and learns in childhood will be reflected when they become adults. Children pick up knowledge and are influenced by what they see and hear from others. They frequently mimic people they observe in books, movies, and their environment. So, the lesser the gender prejudice mannerisms in any characters portrayed in the media, the better environment is provided to the children to absorb equality.

Gender equality in education is crucial because it has a huge impact on children. Giving unbiased examples, including all students in courses, having comprehensive sex education programs, and supplying adequate sanitation facilities should be maintained. Due to inadequate school facilities, reports show that many females drop out of school.

When it comes to the work environment, giving women and men the same respect is the first step in the practice of gender equality. Equal possibilities for promotion must exist to ensure better equality in the work culture.

Equal participation by all genders in decision-making, household tasks, and care needs to be encouraged. Everyone must be treated with respect and on an equal footing. As gender equality improves the safety and health of our communities, promoting gender equality can result in a more peaceful society. Involving women and gender-diverse groups in all decision-making processes can lead to sustainable peace in the long run.

Written by: Rtr. Divani Canisius

Edited by: Rtr. Imesha Ilangasinghe

“There is no better way to thank God for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark.”

-Helen Keller

Blind Walk is an initiative commemorating World Sight Day on the 2nd Thursday of the month of October, making it the largest eye donation campaign in the world; to create awareness about blindness, raise funds to support the community, and raise pledges for eye donation. What started with three Blind Walks in 2014 has developed into a global program involving 55 locations in five countries in 2016. World Sight Day is an International Day of Awareness, held annually on the second Thursday of October. World Sight Day is a reminder to you, to love your eyes. World Sight Day is an opportunity to focus the world’s attention on eye health as a global issue, raises awareness of eye health amongst individuals, families, and communities, and is a platform to influence decision-makers to prioritize eye health initiatives and help activate demand for eye health services globally.

Living with the invisible is not easy, the people who are blind, have a lot of limitations in their life. There are difficulties in work and living in society. They cannot drive and work in a career that requires their eyes to be important. Some people who are acquired blind, might still not accept their status, feel sadness, and fear, and cannot take care of themselves. Visually impaired people have a harder time of life than normal eye people. The striking experience of Blind Walk is that a visually normal person is blindfolded and led along a 1 to 1.5km route, which is utterly in the darkness on the road for an hour. This will give the feeling of being visually impaired and to understand the darkness of their world. The objective of Blind walk is to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and improved quality of life, for all blind and visually-impaired people.

The Rotary Club of Colombo Mid Town along with the Rotaract clubs of Achievers Lanka Business School, Australian College of Business and Technology, Colombo Mid Town, and University of Colombo Faculty of Management and Finance join together to organize the BLINDWALK in Sri Lanka. Blind Walk is an award-winning project initiated with the aim of alleviating the plight of the visually impaired. However, the Blind Walk 2021 was held virtually with a Talk Show and an open mic night due to the pandemic. Last Year a blind challenge was held among the Rotaractors to experience the hardness of doing daily activities with a blindfold. Dr. Vasuki Gurusamy, a consultant Eye Surgeon from The Kalubowila Teaching Hospital was the guest speaker on the Talk show and she gave an insightful view on Blindness and its reasons. Blind Walk 2022 is going to be held for the sixth time, and this year in a different way including the walk and a carnival.

The Blind Walk 2022 is planned such that it reaches more audiences than before. This year’s Blind Walk will witness the walk and a carnival happening on the 22nd of October 2022 at Viharamahadevi Open Air Theatre Car Park. The theme of the walk this year will be “Walk for light, in sight” and it aims to promote pledges for eye donation, collect funds to support the visually impaired, and provide them with an opportunity to reveal their talents in the open mic night. The walk will start from Viharamahadevi park at 3 p.m. and let a normal person blindfolded and led by a visually impaired person to an extent of a 1.5 km route. Then it will be followed by a fun-filled Carnival. This will consist of various types of stalls and DJs where the members of Rotaract and a few visually impaired people will perform on the stage. After 2 years of virtual sessions, The Blind Walk 2022 welcomes you all to get the real feeling of Blind Walk.

Let’s join together and get a wholesome feeling of lighting up the darkness in someone’s life!

Written by: Rtr. Ramajini Gnanasuthan

Edited by: Rtr. Imesha Ilangasinghe