The Gandhigram Rural Institute (GRI) is a participating institute under UBA. It has selected nine villages: Achampatti, Agaram, Chettiyapatti, Chethirapatti, Kondamanaikenpatti, KotturAvarampatti, Reyappanur, Ulapampatti and Valaiyapatti in Dindigul, Athoor and Reddiarchetram blocks of Dindigul district to carry out UBA activities intensively.
GRI has rich experience in planning and executing extension activities. The institute's vision is to promote a castless and classless society through instruction, research and extension. Hence the various departments and centres of the institute work almost on all the nine themes of Localization of Sustainable Development Goals through research projects, training programmes, extension activities and regular village placement programmes for students. Recognizing the extension of GRI, NCI, UBA awarded a perennial assistance award of Rs. 1,75,000/- in August 2020. GRI has constituted an advisory committee with senior professors from various disciplines to guide UBA activities. The executive committee consisting of ten young and vibrant Assistant Professors from various departments was formed to execute the work at field. This multidisciplinary team plans and executes programmes based on the people's felt needs by doing a situation analysis. Dr.S. Kavitha Maithily serves as the coordinator of UBA – GRI.
Living in the digital era, it is highly essential to address the issues of digital divide in rural India. The covid-19 induced lockdown made us to realize the need for access to computers and internet facilities in rural area. The digital divide is impacting the capacity of rural children to learn and develop without internet access, students cannot build the required technical skills as that of urban children.
Realizing this urgent need, UBA- GRI has mobilized 100 computers from Cognitive Technology Solution (CTS) Coimbatore. As corporate social responsibility CTS donated 100 computers worth Rs. 5 lakhs to GRI to carry out outreach activities through digital mode.
After procuring computers from CTS, UBA GRI interacted with the panchayat officials in setting up of rural digital knowledge hub, in the panchayats. Under GRI- UBA and Gram Panchayat partnership two rural digital knowledge hubs were established.
These hubs were established to provide accessibility to computers and internet services to rural children and youth. It is also planned to transfer the technologies at KVK, Agriculture Departments, Rural Technology Centres and others through these Knowledge hubs. Rural youth also expressed a need for online tuitions, educational guidance and training in competitive examination preparation. Interactions with various group are being done to work out the modalities of implementing the above said programmes. Five Computers were provided to each panchayat. One UBA training centre for students and Capacity building centre for rural youth and women were established at GRI.
Valayapatti, small hamlet of Chettipatti Panchayat and near to the foothills of Sirumalai. Majority of the women are involved in collecting herbs when they have no work in the village a they collect Herbal plants such as Nerunji (Tribulus Terrestris Linn), kanvazhi kilangu(Gloriosa superb) Saranathiroot,Kandankathiri (Solanum Xanthocarpum), SiruKurinjan Leaves (GymnemaSylvestre), Adathoda leaves (Justicia adhatoda ), Manjananthi root ( Morinda Tinctoria ), Thalaisuthiveru, Kodivalliveru, Avvaram poo ( Cassia auriculata) etc. Plant materials collected are sundried and stored till sufficient quantity is available with them and sold to shops dealing with herbal plants at Dindigul.They don‟t get a fair price for their material and the price will be less if small quantity is taken. Repeated camps in the village indicated the lacunae in collecting and processing of the herbs. The potential for herbs is also increasing in an exponential rate. Thus felt the need for training the women on value addition of the herbs for sale of safe herbs to the end users.
After the training the SHG women gained skills in making herbal tea bags, herbal chocolates and are interested in taking up it as an entrepreneurial activity. But they were in need of specific dryers to dry their herbs, and other basic equipments to start their business.
Skill Training Programme on Open Foot Wear Making
SHG women in Kalikampatti and Gandhigram Panchayats expressed a need for training in some new trades. So with the technical support of DDU – Kaushal Kendra, GRI three days skill training programme on Open FootWear Making was organized
Skill Training Programme on LED Bulb Making
In order to provide training eco friendly products training on LED bulb making was provided to rural youth. A heterogenous group consisting of educational qualification with tenth standard to engineering graduated participated in the training programme from UBA service villages. Apart from bulb making, repairing of the bulbs were also imparted to them and they prepared five LED products during the training programme.
While establishing Rural Digital Knowledge Hubs in village a need was felt to train the youth in Computer Hardware and Maintenance. That demand was expressed by youth from various sectors. Hence this training programmed was organized. Four persons with disabilities also participated in the programme. Four graduates those who are running computer centres also attended the programme and expressed it was highly useful to them and they need not spend for maintenance of computers. Youths from Kallikampatti and Thoppampatti panchayats also undergone this training programme. They will be trained further to maintain the computers in Digital Knowledge hubs.
Establishment of Bala Shanti Sena
Shanti Sena is the unique feature of Gandhigram Rural Institute. It provides training in nonviolence to youth. Realizing the need for training in non violence to all age groups and all localities it is proposed to organize Bala Shanti Sena Units in service villages of UBA under perennial assistance fund.
`If we are to reach real peace in this world we shall have to begin with children’
SDG 16 stressed the need to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development. Peaceful societies will be developed only when we inculcate good values, positive attitudes and train children in peace building activities. Hence a need is felt to establish Bala Shanti Sena Units at village level to train children (10 –15 years) in peace and non-violence. Giving positive inputs at this habit formation stage will help to develop them into a socially responsible peace brigades.
The objectives of forming Bala Shanti sena units are
To develop children as peer educators and peace makers With these objectives Bala Shanti Sena was established at Valayapatti hamlet of Chettiyapatti panchyat with 40 children in the agegroup of 10 – 15 years. The inaugural function was held at Gandhigram Rural Institute on 16.10.21. The children from the village visited the Gandhian Constructive Museum and enrolled as Bala shanti sena member.
Dr.T.T.Ranganathan, Vice Chancellor incharge inaugurated the programme. Dr.M.William Baskaran, Dean and Professor in Shanti Sena delivered the Keynote address. Dr.L.Raja, Professor in Lifelong learning, Dr.K.Ravichandran, UBA - RCI coordinator and Dr.M.Mani, Chief Organiser felicitated the programme.
UBA Volunteers, handle classes to Bala Shanti Sena children through participatory approach under the guidance of faculty members. Group Discussion, Transect walk, role play were the methods used to create interest among the children. The topics covered during the classes are presented in Table VII.
Topics to be Covered for Bala Shanti Sena Children
| Personal Empowerment | Peace Building | Local Admimistration | |
| Theoretical Inputs |
*Personal Hygiene and Sanitation *Life Skills *Value Education *Nutrition Education *Goal Setting
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*Need and purpose of shanti sena *Roles and Responsibilities of Shanti Sainik *Biographies of Peace makers
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*Functions of Gram Sabha
*Local resources (natural,institutions) and issues
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| Practical Inputs |
Yoga, Meditation, Counselling, First Aid Classes, Camps on Naturopathy Motivation |
Organising interreligious prayers cultural programmes, learning patriotic songs. Role play and drama |
Interaction with officials and elected members of local administration Knowing the rural development programmes Discussion forums on local resources/issues Participation in Gramsabha, Wardsbha meetings.
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One day workshop on Moral Development with perennial fund and three days training on non violence and Panchayat Raj was organized with the financial support of RGNIYD to Bala Shanti Sena Children.
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WORKSHOP ON MORAL DEVELOPMENT FOR CHILDREN OF BALASHANTI SENA
The Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed to be University) (AISHE – U 0453) under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, Perennial Assistance Fund has established the BalaShanti Sena unit in one of the adopted villages Valayapatti in October 2021. Forty-three children in the age group of 10-15 years are enrolled in it. Every week scholars and students from GRI
visit this village and conduct classes on personal hygiene, health and nutrition, Gandhian ideals, local resources, ecosystem and administration. During their visit they identified that the children have few behavioural issues and need orientation and guidance to overcome the issues like mobile addiction, using abusive language and disruptive
behaviours. So a one day workshop to achieve behavioural changes through drama art was organized.
On 02.01.2022, at the GRI – Creche Valaiyapatti Dr.A. Suriakanthi (Professor – Retired, GRI), a child development specialist inaugurated the Workshop. In her inaugural address, she stressed the importance of good behaviours through
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stories. |
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Mr.T.Selvam, a Drama teacher from Madurai |
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served as the resource person. Through games, songs, puppet shows and group discussions he imparted moral education to the children. Forty children participated in the workshop with lots of enthusiasm andinterest. They themselves listed down the good behaviours in them and the behaviours which they want to change in them. This platform serves to realize their strengths and weakness and guided them to inculcate social sensitivity. During the feedback session, thechildren expressed they need this type of workshop frequently. Dr.S.Kavitha Maithily, Coordinator UBA motivated the children to serve as |
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junior volunteers of UBA and as change agents to maintain good hygiene and sanitation at their homes/village. It is proposed to organize a series of programmes to enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of the children and to mould them as our volunteers in village development. Thus through Balashanti sena children, UBA is trying to reach their families. Dr.P.S.Sreedevi and Dr M.Muthukumar executive membersof UBA, GRI organized this workshop. |
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WORKSHOP ON MORAL DEVELOPMENT FOR CHILDREN OF BALASHANTI SENA
The Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed to be University) (AISHE – U 0453) under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, Perennial Assistance Fund has established the BalaShanti Sena unit in one of the adopted villages Valayapatti in October 2021. Forty-three children in the age group of 10-15 years are enrolled in it. Every week scholars and students from GRI
visit this village and conduct classes on personal hygiene, health and nutrition, Gandhian ideals, local resources, ecosystem and administration. During their visit they identified that the children have few behavioural issues and need orientation and guidance to overcome the issues like mobile addiction, using abusive language and disruptive
behaviours. So a one day workshop to achieve behavioural changes through drama art was organized.
On 02.01.2022, at the GRI – Creche Valaiyapatti Dr.A. Suriakanthi (Professor – Retired, GRI), a child development specialist inaugurated the Workshop. In her inaugural address, she stressed the importance of good behaviours through
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served as the resource person. Through games, songs, puppet shows and group discussions he imparted moral education to the children. Forty children participated in the workshop with lots of enthusiasm andinterest. They themselves listed down the good behaviours in them and the behaviours which they want to change in them. This platform serves to realize their strengths and weakness and guided them to inculcate social sensitivity. During the feedback session, thechildren expressed they need this type of workshop frequently. Dr.S.Kavitha Maithily, Coordinator UBA motivated the children to serve as |
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junior volunteers of UBA and as change agents to maintain good hygiene and sanitation at their homes/village. It is proposed to organize a series of programmes to enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of the children and to mould them as our volunteers in village development. Thus through Balashanti sena children, UBA is trying to reach their families. Dr.P.S.Sreedevi and Dr M.Muthukumar executive membersof UBA, GRI organized this workshop. Participation in Gram Sabha
Students and faculty members of GRI regularly attend the gram sabha meeting. In 2021-22, UBA team attended attended gram sabha meeting at Chettiyapatti Panchayat on 02.10.21 and Kalikampatti Panchyat on 01.05.2022. UBA executive members attended Gram sabha meeting at Chettiyapatti panchayat on 02.10.21 . Dr. Kirubakaran, Director, Rural Energy Center, GRI presented the findings of energy survey carried out in the village . It was resolved to implement the Perspective plan on efficient energy utilisation in Chettiyapatti in collaboration with Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, Rural Energy Center, Gandhigram Rural Institute, Gandhigram
Gram panchayats have been mandated for the preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) for economic development and social justice at the village level. Gandhigram Rural Institute provides guidance in the preparation of GPDP in its UBA service villages. Development of Spatial Natural Resource Plan UBA – GRI has submitted a SEG proposal titled „Development of Spatial Natural Resource Plan for GPDP in Chettiyappati Gram Panchayat, Athoor Taluk District, Tamil Nadu. One lakh was sanctioned for the project and work is in progress. An integrated micro-level spatial natural resource development plan will be prepared for Chettiyapatti panchayat and it will be included in GPDP after presenting in the Gram Sabha meeting Promotion of Malnutrition Free Gram Panchayat In convergence with Poshan Abhiyan, GRI UBA will formulate a strategy to promote malnutrition free panchayat in co-ordination with Kalikampatti panchayat functionaries. ICDS functionaries, School Teachers, SHG members, Youth Club members, Bala Shanti Sena volunteers and Home Science students of GRI will be involved in this task. Regular Mahila Sabha, Balasabha will be conducted to create awareness on malnutrition. Nutrition Security Survey and Nutrition audit will be conducted and action plan for promotion of Malnutrition Free Gram panchayat will be presented in the Gramsabha
With the perennial fund, UBA GRI has established
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