TREE PLANTATION UNDER UNNAT BHARAT ABHIYAN AT GOVT. SCHOOLS, NATTARASANPATTU

In a well known quote by Warren Buffet, it is said “someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago”. This is true in today’s scenario as greenery is required to balance the environment. The students and teachers of Government Primary and Higher Secondary School at Nattarasanpattu, Kundrathur block, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu put forth a request to SRM Institute of Science & Technology for donation of plants, as there are no shaded trees in their school ground.

On 26^th February 2019, SRM Institute of Science & Technology organized “Tree Plantation” at Nattarasanpattu Government Primary and Higher Secondary School under the aegis of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, a flagship programme of Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India with aim to accelerate development and growth in villages through participatory and appropriate technologies. A team of 50 enthusiastic NSS student volunteers and staff from Maintenance Department with required equipment, planting materials and manpower visited the schools. 

A whole day was dedicated to this event as it required levelling the school ground with mud, followed by planting 28 saplings of Albizia saman/rain tree and Peltophorum pterocarpum/yellow flame tree, fencing and watering. 

Through this participatory process, local residents, students and teachers actively engaged in cleanup of the school ground and tree planting. Under the instructions of Head Master, the students volunteered to form groups and each group pledged to look after and nurture one tree.

On the same day, the students also took part in plastic awareness drives in the vicinity of both the schools. This was in keeping with objectives of University Grants Commission’s directive to make swachhata part of education and also Swachh Bharat Mission to achieve clean India by 150^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in 2019. 

There were interactive sessions with students on the importance of cleanliness, sanitation and greenery. They shared their swachhata-related practices at school and home. 

The students said “trees are literally the source of life on this earth. They help preserve environment by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide and are also responsible for keeping the air fresh and clean”

Link to

http://www.srmuniv.ac.in/tree-plantation-govt-primary-school-nattarasanpattu

http://www.srmuniv.ac.in/campus_connect/spectrum

SRMIST CONDUCTS 'MEDICAL CAMP AND SWACHHATA RALLY' AT THENMELPAKKAM

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is not just a Government Scheme, but a revolutionary mechanism with the aim of transforming rural India. One of UBA's prime focus area is 'Rural Health'. And that's what SRM Institute of Science & Technology also aimed at on 20th February 2019, by organizing "Medical Camp and Swachhata Rally" at one of the UBA adopted villages, Thenmelpakkam. This is also in line with the series of events planned across SRMIST to commemorate 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The medical camp was conducted following requests from community during the recent gram sabha meeting held on 26 January 2019 and results of the baseline household survey that revealed that the community suffer from old-age related ailments, diabetes etc.

The morning of 20 February commenced with a rally of enthusiastic students and faculties from NSS, highlighting the importance of cleanliness and stop using plastics. This is in keeping with the recent notification from TN Government mandating "ban on one-time use and throw-away plastics" effective 1st January 2019. 

The rally was flagged off by Dr.A.Sundaram, Dean (Medical), SRMIST and stressed on the importance of keeping our surroundings clean.

The rally was well-received by the villagers and passers-by. Armed with Captivating Posters and Thought-Provoking Banners, they voiced their cause, gathering support along the way. The rally ended at the Govt Middle School, which was the venue for the Medical camp.

The Medical Camp was graced by

            Dr. A. Sundaram, Dean (Medical), SRMIST

Mr.M.S.M. Vallavan, Deputy Supt. of Police (Vandalur Division)

Mr.S.Christopher,Block Educational Officer ,Kattankulathur

Dr.V.Thirumurugan, Associate Director (CL),M.E, PhD-SRMIST/UBA Nodal Officer 

Dr.M.Logaraj, Professor, Community Medicine
Dr.T.Rajasekaran,Professor Mech Engg, NSS coordinator 
Mr.T.Elumalai, Ex-President of Thenmelpakkam and 

Mr.S.Chitra,Assistant Head Master ,Govt.Middle School

Tmt.Nirosha, President, Management committee of Thenmel Pakkam School

Ms. Irene Sambath, UBA Project Associate hosted the event.

The function began by observing a two-minute silence tribute for the sad demise of our beloved CRPF jawans who lost their lives in Pulwama terror attack.

Welcome address was delivered by Dr.V.Thirumurugan, Associate Director (CL). He mentioned about the UBA activities conducted so far at Thenmelpakkam and other adopted villages. He thanked the dignitaries for gracing the function amidst their busy schedule.

Dr.A.Sundaram, Dean (Medical), SRMIST delivered the inaugural address. He stressed the importance of inculcating simple personal hygiene practices in our day-to-day lives, and extend the same cleanliness activities to our society. Thereby, the entire community stays healthy. 

       

The audience eagerly awaited to listen to chief guest of the day Mr. M.S.M. Vallavan, Deputy Supt of Police (Vandalur Dicision). He spoke about the martyrs of Pulwama attack and immense contribution of such personnel who safeguard our motherland from foreign attacks. 

He also invited one of the school students to stage to speak about this incident. The student was appreciated with a shawl for being up-to-date with current events happening in the country and encouraged teachers to inculcate such reading habits in children.

He expressed his happiness when the students sang Tamil Thai Vazthu with full vigor. He threw open a challenge to SRM students among audience to sing Tamil Thai Vazhthu without mistake. One of the students, a Dentist volunteered to sing. His effort won him Rs.5000 from Mr.Vallan. 

The student donated Rs.4000 to the Assisted Head Mistress of Govt Middle School. The AHM on behalf of the school thanked the student for his generosity and willingness. 

The key message delivered by Mr.Vallavan to the audience was to wear helmets while driving. He specially mentioned about "Kavalan App", which not only girls but anybody could download it and use on their phones for their safety. He mentioned about its usage and functions. He ended his speech with a promise that he will do his best to render his service to service-minded institutions and to all people.

Mr.S.Christopher, Block Education Officer, Kattankulathur in his speech highlighted his own contribution as panchayat leader in village development. He too expressed his condolence for the demise of the jawans and inspired the students with he stories of hardships these jawans face while protecting our country. He welcomed SRM University gesture of engaging with rural community and doing what they can for village upliftment. 

Mr. T. Elumalai, Ex-President thanked SRM for their commitment and relentless effort to serving his village. He was proud of his people who stand united as one community for any matter that concerns their village. As a token of gesture and gratitude, he presented the all dignitaries on stage with a shawl. The UBA team also presented all chief guests with a shawl. 

Mrs.Chitra Assistant Head Master proposed the vote of thanks. She presented few requests for SRM Managament, one of which was to establish a  'digital classroom', which will be facilitated as per the Village Development Plan of Thenmelpakkam.

The programme ended with distribution of writing pads for students free donated by NSS team, which had key message about  'Hand Wash' inscribed on it, a gentle reminder to students about keeping their hands clean at all times. 

The function concluded with National Anthem.  Refreshment was served to app present and medical camp commenced.

The student volunteers helped the villagers to visit the each of the check up stands: dental, eye, general checkup, blood sugar testing and medicine dispensing. It was an coordinated effort by all general physicians, dentists, nurses and lab technicians. 

Link to

http://www.srmuniv.ac.in/event/medical-camp-and-swachhata-rally                

http://www.srmuniv.ac.in/campus_connect/spectrum

                 

SRMIST'S FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING AND ECE DEPARTMENT VISITS UBA ADOPTED VILLAGE

Head of Department and research scholars from Food Process Engineering and faculty from Biotechnology department of SRMIST visited Irular colony of Orathur village on 8th February 2019.

Here a community of 25 households of Scheduled Tribes reside below poverty line. There are no toilets and only 3 households use LPG for cooking. So, development activities will be targeted towards upliftment of this colony. Spoke to the residents and encouraged them to form self-help groups.

We discussed about innovative ideas that when implemented will uplift the economic conditions of the villagers through self-help groups, such as organic farming, processing, packing and selling dried food, pickle, jam, jelly, snacks making, etc. SRM Food Process Engineering Department will provide required training and assistance.

A community kitchen is planned where women can prepare their meals. A novel biogas plant prepared by Biotechnology Department was explained to the villagers, which will be in connection with the community kitchen.

Faculties from SRM Electronics & Communications Engineering along with a UNICEF Consultant visited Irular Colony of Orathur village as a follow-up visit on 11th February 2019 to encourage womenfolk to form self-help groups to take up livelihoods activities and encourage building a twin-pit toilet with support from Government and SRM.

Met the Panchayat Secretary and villagers of Orathur village to discuss priority needs of the village. 

Had detailed discussion on areas of natural resource management, physical infrastructure, entrepreneurship and skill development, social infrastructure and development, economic productivity, technology for livelihood and employment, e-governance/rural electronics, civic and other amenities, swachh bharat abhiyan toilets. 

SRMIST SUPPORTS KINDERGARTEN OF PANCHAYAT UNION MIDDLE SCHOOL, THENMELPAKKAM

Mahatma Gandhi envisioned a better India primarily through the system of education. Unnat Bharat Abhiyan scheme works on the visions of Ghandhi. Right to Primary Education (also elementary education) is a fundamental right in India. Primary Education will enable a child to learn to read and write, and forms the foundation for a child's basic knowledge.

  

Panchayat Union Middle School at Thenmelpakkam, one of the UBA adopted villages of SRMIST from Kattankulathur block, has taken stride to commence Kindergarten in English medium and admitted 12 students. 

With an intention to retain the appointed English teacher and increase the strength of students, SRMIST in coordination with the School's Management has extended to financially support the monthly salary of the appointed Kindergarten teacher.

SRMIST'S UBA ADOPTED VILLAGES PARTICIPATE IN "BUTTERFLIES", A PRE-MILAN SPORTS AND CULTURAL EVENT

On the 2nd of February 2019, SRMIST hosted "Butterflies", a pre-Milan event where students from government schools were invited to experience a day of college life. 

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan project at SRMIST collaborated with "Butterflies" and in coordination with schools' management, students from three government schools of UBA adopted villages (Orathur, Pattaravakkam, Thenmelpakkam) participated in the various sports and cultural competitions exclusively organised for them.

It was a platform for the students to exhibit their talents and we hope to motivate them to aim higher in their lives and make a difference.

http://www.srmuniv.ac.in/sites/default/files/2019/spectrum-volume-12-issue-5.pdf

FACULTIES FROM SRM COMPUTER SCIENCE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT VISIT UBA ADOPTED VILLAGES

A team of enthusiastic faculties from Computer Science Engineering Department - SRM Institute of Science & Technology visited Anjur and Thenmelpakkam on 29th January 2019 to study the feasibility of implementing the "Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas" (PURA) scheme. 

At the Govt Primary School, Thenmelpakkam, Kattankulathur block, Kancheepuram

PURA is a strategy for rural development in India, a concept given by former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam. It proposes that urban infrastructure and services be provided in rural hubs to create economic opportunities outside of cities. Physical connectivity by providing roads, electronic connectivity by providing communication network, and knowledge connectivity by establishing professional and technical institutions will have to be done in an integrated way so that economic connectivity will emanate

At Panchayat Office, Anjur, Kattankulathur block, Kancheepuram, TN

They visited the schools of both villages. Unfortunately the schools were closed due to teachers strike. They met the Village Officers and spoke to local residents explaining about the purpose of their visit and asked them about their livelihood conditions, about the youth population in the village, basic facilities available in their village. They noticed one section of the village thrived well in terms of socio-economic status. They focused their attention on those sections of village that required upliftment and visited those areas where the most downtrodden lived.

With residents of Pavalar Street, Anjur village, Kattankulathur block, Kancheepuram