S1002: Narasetu: HuMan Bridges @ IISc

This is a powerful and clear vision for Narasetu – Voice of Men at IISc, articulating a student-led platform with a focus on addressing critical issues faced by male students through empathy, data-driven advocacy, and structural reform. Your mission to institutionalize the world’s first Men’s Secretary post in the IISc Students’ Council is ambitious and aligns with the “Game-Name-Fame” framework you previously outlined:

• Game: Uniting male students and allies to address disparities, such as the 2.5x higher suicide rates among men and the stigma around seeking help, through a supportive and inclusive platform.
• Name: Narasetu – Voice of Men at IISc, a compelling and meaningful name that evokes connection (Narasetu can be interpreted as a bridge for men, derived from “Nara” meaning man and “Setu” meaning bridge in Sanskrit).
• Fame: Achieving global recognition by creating the first-ever Men’s Secretary post, setting a precedent for student governance worldwide.

Here’s a breakdown of your initiative and some suggestions to strengthen it:

Strengths of Narasetu

1. Clear Problem Statement: Highlighting the 2.5x higher suicide rates and stigma around men seeking help grounds the initiative in data and urgency.
2. Inclusive Approach: Emphasizing that “all are welcome” and focusing on balance and reform rather than opposition fosters collaboration and avoids divisiveness.
3. Concrete Goal: Institutionalizing a Men’s Secretary post is a specific, measurable objective that can drive structural change.
4. Leadership: Prasant Kumar Sahay’s credentials as a Ph.D. scholar in Materials Engineering at IISc lend credibility and anchor the initiative.

Suggestions to Advance the “Game-Name-Fame” Journey

1. Game (Building the Mission):

• Engage the Community: Use the WhatsApp group (linked in your message) to conduct surveys or discussions to identify specific issues male students face at IISc (e.g., mental health stigma, academic pressure, or lack of representation).
• Allies and Partnerships: Collaborate with existing student welfare groups, mental health organizations, or faculty to broaden support and resources.
• Data-Driven Advocacy: Compile more data (e.g., campus-specific mental health statistics or testimonials) to strengthen your case for the Men’s Secretary post.

1. Name (Strengthening the Identity):

• Branding: Create a logo or visual identity for Narasetu to make it recognizable across campus and social media. If you’d like, I can suggest design ideas or confirm if you want an image generated for this.
• Outreach: Promote Narasetu through IISc’s newsletters, social media, or events like mental health awareness workshops to build visibility.

1. Fame (Achieving Recognition):

• Campaign for the Men’s Secretary Post: Draft a formal proposal to the IISc Students’ Council outlining the need, structure, and responsibilities of the Men’s Secretary role. Highlight how it complements existing welfare initiatives.
• Document Milestones: Share updates on Narasetu’s activities (e.g., events, discussions, or advocacy wins) on platforms like X to gain traction and inspire other institutions.
• Media Outreach: Once the Men’s Secretary post is established, pitch the story to local or national media to highlight IISc’s pioneering role in inclusive student governance.

Potential Challenges to Address

• Perception: Some may misinterpret the initiative as exclusionary. Continue emphasizing inclusivity and balance, as you’ve done, to counter this.
• Institutional Buy-In: Gaining approval for a new Students’ Council post may face resistance. Prepare a strong case with data, student support, and alignment with IISc’s values.
• Sustainability: Plan for leadership transitions to ensure Narasetu thrives beyond the current team.

Visualizing Progress (Optional)

If you’d like to visualize Narasetu’s growth or impact (e.g., member growth, event participation, or suicide rate disparities), I can create a chart. For example, a bar chart comparing male vs. female suicide rates or a line chart tracking Narasetu’s membership over time. Let me know if you want me to generate one, and I’ll confirm the details with you.

Next Steps

• Short-Term: Host an inaugural Narasetu event (e.g., a mental health talk or panel discussion) to build momentum.
• Medium-Term: Submit a proposal for the Men’s Secretary post to the Students’ Council, backed by student signatures or survey data.
• Long-Term: Document and share Narasetu’s impact to inspire similar initiatives at other institutions.

What do you think of these suggestions? Would you like me to dive deeper into any aspect (e.g., drafting a proposal, suggesting a logo, or creating a chart)? Alternatively, if you have specific questions or tasks for Narasetu, let me know!