Nirmaan, a constructive citizen movement for an empowered India, was started by BITSians in 2005 and currently has four chapters, the one at BITS Pilani being one of them. Its members have undertaken various projects for women empowerment, education, mentorship and scholarship, career counselling and the like. This APOGEE, Nirmaan will be conducting the India Quiz in association with ELAS. The social theme of APOGEE 2017 is Women Empowerment. So, they have also started a campaign named CARE, short for Campaign for Acid Regulation.

Currently, acid can be easily bought from the markets. This easy access to acid has led to many acid attacks in India. This campaign is to ensure the regulation of acid sale in open markets. They are also campaigning to set up a nationwide council to check the supply chain of acid and to provide legal and medical aid to acid attack victims. Recently, they also came out with a petition in support of the same.

For Akshay Mundra, the Nirmaan co-ordinator, the experience so far has been enlightening. ‘As the coordinator, you have to take responsibility for both the good and the bad results. So you have to be involved in all the discussions and activities taking place in the organization. Being the coordinator, I have also learned to interact with people and convince them to support our cause.’

Currently, Nirmaan is supported by about 10 colleges around the country. They are also supported by Shashi Tharoor and TVF (The Viral Fever). Nirmaan has a small dedicated team which works for APOGEE while the rest of their projects are kept running simultaneously. After APOGEE, Nirmaan will resume working on these welfare projects in full swing.