Parvaah – The Social Initiative of K. J. Somaiya College of Engineering has been working for the cause of LGBT Rights. Team Parvaah will conduct workshops in association with the Humsafar Trust, to clear misconceptions about the LGBT community, among students, people off-campus and everyone in the society. Parvaah will take part in the Pride Parade organized by the QAM community in a bid to change the perspective of the society and stand for the rights of the LGBT community. Parvaah will also perform a short play, to create awareness regarding LGBT, in various malls, metro stations and local stations. There will also be a workshops on campus, where there will be a film screening pertaining to the LGBT community, followed by a Q&A session. The Parvaah team will also be signing pledges by celebrities and students on campus to raise awareness about the rights of the LGBT community.
Parvaah, started under Symphony- the cultural fest of the college- in 2015 with the aim of creating awareness and bringing about a change. Each year Parvaah undertakes social initiatives based on relevant issues in the society and this year, Parvaah stands with the pride and rights of the LGBT community. The LGBT Campaign commenced from January 11, 2017.
Supporting its students in the initiative, the Principal of the college, Dr. Shubha Pandit, said: “Every living being has a natural emotion of love; Either of loving anybody they want to and of being loved by anybody.” Celina Jaitly, Bollywood actor and an ardent supporter of LGBTQ rights, also praised the efforts of the students. “Wonderful to see such initiatives, more power to Parvaah,” she said.
The Mumbai Queer Pride will be held on 28th January from 3pm, and will start from August Kranti Maidan.