Hands on Training to Assemble Solar Study Lamp – World Earth Day 2025 (22.04.2025)

 

  

Need of the Activity:

· Promotion of renewable energy solutions like solar power aligns with sustainable development goals.

· Empowers students and villagers with hands-on technical skills in solar lamp assembly.

· Encourages self-reliance and local innovation in addressing energy challenges.

· Increases awareness about clean energy and energy conservation.

· Solar study lamps serve as a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to conventional lighting.

· Strengthens the connection between educational institutions and rural communities.

On 22nd April 2025, part of celebrating WORLD EARTH DAY – 2025 a “Hands-on Training session for assembling solar study lamps” was successfully conducted under the initiative of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) in collaboration with the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering and SRM College of Agricultural Sciences. The event aimed to promote sustainable energy practices and enhance technical awareness among students and local community members. The training took place on the SRM College of Agricultural Sciences campus and saw active participation from school students, faculty members, and representatives from Minnal Chithamur, Baburayanpettai and Keezhathivakkam adopted villages. The program commenced with a warm welcome address by Dr. Anbarasan A., the overall coordinator of the event. He greeted all the dignitaries, faculty members, and participants, setting a positive and enthusiastic tone for the session. Dr. Anbarasan emphasized the importance of renewable energy in today’s world and highlighted the role of educational institutions in fostering sustainability and community empowerment. His remarks reflected the commitment of SRMIST and the College of Agricultural Sciences to the ideals of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan.

         The program was officially inaugurated by Dr. V. Thirumurugan, Nodal Officer of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan – SRMIST. In his inaugural address, he emphasized the importance of renewable energy, especially in the context of rural development. Dr. Thirumurugan highlighted how initiatives like solar energy not only help bridge the energy gap in underserved areas but also empower communities through sustainable and affordable solutions. 

             An insightful speech was delivered by Dr. Thirugnana Kumar S., Professor and Head of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding. In his address, he highlighted the critical importance of renewable energy in the current global context. He spoke about how adopting sustainable energy solutions like solar power can significantly mitigate the societal and environmental impacts of conventional energy sources. He emphasized that transitioning to green energy is not just a technological shift, but a responsibility to preserve our planet for future generations. His words inspired participants to consider their role in protecting Mother Earth through conscious and innovative actions. The event was graced by the presence of Mr. Govindhasamy, Panchayat President of Keezhathivakkam, and Mr. C. Balaji, Panchayat President of Minnal Chithamur. Their participation added significant value to the occasion and reinforced the community’s involvement in sustainable development efforts. On this occasion, Mr. C. Balaji delivered an engaging and thoughtful speech emphasizing the urgent need to combat global warming through renewable energy adoption and nature conservation. He commended the efforts of SRMIST and the organizing teams for initiating a program that not only educates but also equips individuals with tools to make a tangible difference in their lives and the environment.

        Participants were provided with individual solar lamp kits and guided step-by-step through the assembly process by Associate Professors and Lab in charge from EEE department Dr. Geetha, Dr. Usha and Mr. Saravanan. The session focused on understanding the components of a solar study lamp, including photovoltaic panels, batteries, LED circuits, and switches, along with safety practices and troubleshooting techniques. Mr. Velmani – AME and his team were part of this great initiative. This initiative not only empowered participants with practical skills but also reinforced the message of energy conservation and self-reliance. To further encourage the application of the skills learned, each participant was allowed to take their assembled lamp home, enabling them to use it in real-life situations and support their educational or household needs. The event concluded with a feedback session and the distribution of participation certificates. It was well-received by attendees and marked another successful step by UBA-SRMIST towards rural upliftment and sustainable development.

        The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Dr. N. Periasami, Village Coordinator – Keezhathivakkam. He expressed his gratitude to all the dignitaries, organizers, faculty members, and participants for making the training program a resounding success. Dr. Periasami specifically acknowledged the efforts of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan team at SRMIST, Ms.Aishwarya.L, Ms.Anju, Mr.Sridhar.N.S and Dr.sathiah – village coordinator Baburayanpettai. Also thank College of Agricultural Science for organizing such a meaningful initiative that directly contributes to rural empowerment and environmental sustainability.

Cycle Rally and Solar Study Lamp Workshop Commemorate World Earth Day 19.04.2025

 

Need of the Activity:

· Need of the Activity:

· Promoting Environmental Awareness: The event aimed to sensitize students and staff about the importance of environmental conservation and the urgent need to adopt sustainable practices, especially in light of climate change and increasing pollution levels.

· Encouraging Green Lifestyle Choices: Activities like the cycle rally and sapling planting were organized to inspire participants to embrace eco-friendly habits, such as using bicycles over motor vehicles and contributing to green cover through tree planting.

· Hands-on Learning for Sustainability: The Solar Study Lamp Assembly Workshop provided practical exposure to renewable energy solutions, empowering participants with knowledge and skills to adopt and advocate for clean, sustainable energy alternatives.

In remembrance of World Earth Day, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan - SRM Institute of Science and Technology organized a Cycle Rally and a Solar Study Lamp Assembly Workshop on April 19, 2025, to promote environmental sustainability and raise awareness about green practices among students and staff. The rally was flagged off from the Clock Tower Circle, following an inspiring address by Dr. N. Venkata Sastry, Director of the Career Center, who highlighted the urgency of banning single-use plastics to safeguard the planet. Dr. S. Ramya, Associate Professor of EFL and Coordinator of the SRM Cycle Club, welcomed the participants and announced the launch of a WhatsApp group to keep members updated on future green initiatives. Dr. V. Thirumurugan, Associate Director (Campus Life) and UBA Nodal Officer, convened and flagged off the rally, encouraging participants to embrace eco-friendly lifestyles. Forty-five students cycled to SRM Care Farm at Gudalur, where they planted saplings after a healthy breakfast, symbolizing their commitment to a greener future. The second session featured a hands-on Solar Study Lamp Assembly Workshop, where participants learned about renewable energy and built solar-powered lamps as sustainable alternatives to traditional lighting. The success of the event was made possible by the dedicated efforts of Ms. Anju (UBA Associate), Mr. Velmani (AME), Mr. Sridhar, and Mr. Rajendran (Maintenance Department), who ensured the smooth coordination of all arrangements. Participants were awarded certificates in recognition of their contributions to environmental awareness. This impactful initiative fostered community engagement, practical learning, and environmental stewardship, instilling the values of sustainability and conservation in all who took part.

                                     

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) Project Visit Report - Minnal Chithamur

   

Date of Visit: April 3, 2025

Location: Minnal Chithamur Village

Principal Investigators: Dr. V. Sujatha

Co- Principal Investigators: Dr. A. Vimala Starbino.

Objective of the Visit:

The visit was planned as part of the preliminary work for sanctioned Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) project PREDICTIVE MODELLING FOR SOIL ANALYSIS AND CROP SELECTION WITH ML AND IOT.

The primary objectives were:

•  To initiate field-level engagement for project implementation.
•  To interact with local authorities and community stakeholders.
•  To assess the soil quality, fertilizer selection and crop selection in the given land
•  To collect preliminary data related to soil testing and analysis and crop selection methods followed by the farmers 

Activities Conducted

•  Discussed with the farmers about the type of crop and soil and its fertility
•  We had a productive discussion with the Village President to explain the objectives of our UBA    project. We received their full cooperation and support for future activities.
•  A focused discussion was held regarding the crop and fertilizer selection methods followed by the farmers currently. The Village President acknowledged the need and welcomed the idea of evaluating its feasibility.
•  Our student teams interacted with several farmers and village residents to understand their daily routines, types of crops grown, and issues in fertilizers selection.
•  Discussion with professor in Soil department of SRM Agricultural college about the collection of soil samples

Observations:

• Farmers mainly try to perform soil analysis before sowing and before fertilization.
• There is a visible lack of understanding in crop selection methods and access to soil testing facilities.
•  Most crops are selected randomly based on their instincts with no scientific methods involved and lands are excessively or under fertilized due to lack of knowledge about them.

    Follow up action:

    A follow-up visit is planned to meet more farmers and collect detailed data on:

•     Collecting soil samples to perform a manual soil analysis for better understanding of the   methodologies involved.
  
•     Creation of dataset for fertilizer recommendation and crop selection.
  
•     Development of a compact soil testing kit with model implementation and IoT features.

   We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. V. Thirumurugan, UBA Coordinator of our campus, and Mrs. Anju and Mrs. Aiswarya for their valuable support in organizing transport, lunch, and refreshments, as well as for their efforts in coordinating the village-level visit. We are also deeply thankful to our Head of Department, Prof. Dr. T. Muthuramalingam, for graciously granting OD permission and encouraging our team's active participation in this rural development initiative. Their collective support played a vital role in making the visit smooth, effective, and truly meaningful for both faculty and students.

The first visit to Minnal Chithamur was successful in establishing initial rapport with the community and identifying critical areas of intervention. The insights gained will guide the subsequent steps of the UBA project implementation.