As a part of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), a programme of MHRD, Government of India, IIT Bhubaneswar established Science Laboratories in Schools in two of the six villages adopted by IIT under UBA. Prof. R V Raja Kumar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar inaugurated the labs at Argul High School and Khudupur UP Schools today i.e. 14.07.2017. Mr. Manoj Kumar Mohanty, ADM, Bhubaneswar graced the occasion as Guest of Honour in the place of Collector, Khordha. The Principals, teachers and students of these schools participated in the inauguration whole-heartedly.  

 

Prof. Raja Kumar addressed the students faculty members and teachers. He called upon the students to take best of the benefits out of this newly built labs established by IIT Bhubaneswar under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA). Director, IIT Bhubaneswar emphasized that such initiative made by the Government of India having a pious objective to bring of the village level schools to the main stream wherein IIT is playing major role in a spirited manner to make this mission a success. The best of brains can take birth anywhere, either villages or urban areas and village students need not have any hesitation to aim high. The present mission will help nurturing those brains in fulfilling the dreams of the schools. He also called upon the students to come to IIT campus in a open house programme visit the labs, interact with the faculty and students and take inspiration for future growth. The JEE aspirants from the region can also take guidance under Personal Assistance Learning (PAL) Programme going to be organized by IIT Bhubaneswar shortly at its Samantapuri campus. Prof. R. V. Raja Kumar delivered an inspiring speech at the school, emphasizing on the need for conducting experiments to strengthen the quest for scientific knowledge.

 

Prof. R. K. Panda, Dean Research and Development in his speech emphasized the importance of rural population which is 68% of the Indian population can contribute significantly if nurtured at elementary school level. ADM, Mr. Mohanty motivated the students in his address and congratulated them for having their dreams fulfilled in the presence of Director and other faculty members. He also thanked the entire IIT management for initiating such a noble cause under the Central Government flagship programme. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Seema Bahinipati, Assistant Profesor, School of Basic Sciences.

 

The programme was a part of Government of India mission of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan which is a flagship mission of the Ministry of Human Resources and Development. The UBA programme in which IIT Bhubaneswar is participating actively targets to use the expertise available in the Institute to improve the quality of rural life through innovative and affordable technological interventions. Under this initiative, IIT Bhubaneswar has adopted six villages in Odisha, including a cluster of five villages in Khordha district (Arugul, Podapada, Kansapada, Khudupur and Padanpur) and Sunduria village, Jajpur district. Some of the issues to be addressed in the first phase are improvement in skill development for unemployed youth, quality of School Education, sanitation, health care, awareness towards digital India, renewable energy use.