IIT Bhubaneswar conducts health and hygiene camp at Haripur Panchayat area as part of Unnat Bharat Abhiyaan

08TH SEP, 2019 Bhubaneswar: The National Service Scheme (NSS), Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) and medical teams from IIT Bhubaneswar jointly conducted a health and hygiene camp at Argul High school which comes under the Haripur, Panchayat of Khordha District. Several people from Haripur, Podapada, Kansapada, Arugul and other neighbouring villages attended the health camp to get treatment for various ailments. Podapada, Argul and Kanspada are in fact villages adopted by IIT Bhubaneswar under the UBA scheme with a vision to make a positive difference to the quality of life of the people residing in these villages.

Prof RV Raja Kumar said on the occasion that "the Ministry of HRD, Govt of India has embarked on a Programme called, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan. (UBA) aimed at making use of the Institutes like IITs, NITs, Central Universities and other institutions under the Ministry to adopt nearby villages and do technology and other interventions to help improving the quality of life in these villages. IIT Bhubaneswar has been participating in this programme in a spirited way by adopting six villages, apart from other programmes of the ministry. We have been carrying on several activities in these villages and the medical camp is also one of them.In this process we have also been able inculcate sensitivities towards social responsibilities amongst our students, which adds to the holistic nature of education being imparted at IIT Bhubaneswar. The response from the villages has also been very encouraging".

About 200 people attended the camp wholeheartedly and drew benefits from the health camp. Our doctors conducted free health check-up for the attendees and based on their prescription, free medicines were provided to the villagers. A first-aid kit box was also gifted to the Sarpanch of Haripur Panchayat.

The NSS students as part of their Extra Academic Activity (EAA) embarked on a 'Cleaning Mission' at the neighbouring villages. The program concluded with a heart-felt thanks and appreciation by the village Sarpanch, and other villagers to the doctors and the NSS and the UBA teams. Present at the event were Dr. Srikant Gollapudi and Dr. Bankim Mandal from EAA, Dr. Snehasis Choudhuri (NSS program officer) Dr. Seema Bahinipati and Dr. Tarakanta Nayak from UBA, Dr. Ashima Sarkhel and Dr. Subashish Nag, (Medical Officers) Medical Unit, IIT Bhubaneswar. The EAA and UBA teams are thankful to the Director IIT Bhubaneswar and Prof. V R Pedireddi and Prof R K Panda for their encouragement and guidance during the organization of the event.