Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) was launched by the Ministry of Education (Shiksha Mantralaya) on 11th November 2014 with an aim to bring transformational change in rural development processes by leveling knowledge institutions to help build the architecture of an inclusive India.The UBA is conceptualized as a movement to connect institutes of higher education with local communities to address the development challenges of rural India through appropriate technological inventions. As per the directives of the MHRD, higher educational institutions, which are funded by the Central/State Government and all institutions which are under approval by the regulatory bodies need to adopt a cluster of backward villages in the vicinity for the purpose of UBA and IIT Delhi has been appointed as the National coordinator. This year NIT Meghalaya has been selected as the Regional Coordinating Institute and the institute authority has appointed Dr. Atanu Singha Roy (Associate Professor, Dept. of Chemistry) as the coordinator for the same. The UBA coordinator along with the Director of the institute, Dean PD and Secretary Maharaj (RK Mission Sohra) has already visited the areas of Shella, Sohra and have been selected five villages to be adopted for these activities: Kalatek Old, Kalatek New Basti, Kutmadan, Mawsmai and Saitsophen. The main aim of the ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’ is to give a tech-boost and skill development at the grass root level to the villages for their overall development. Action plan in collaboration with the RK Mission Sohra has already been started. Teams including Research Scholars have been set up to visit the villages and identify their problems and to provide possible solutions for the long term. Further, the institute will aim to find financially-viable schemes and prepare a roadmap for holistic rural development in a collaborative mode.
Author: uba_admin
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NIT Meghalaya Unnat Bharat Abhiyan Cell Organizes Drawing Competition on Sustainable Themes
The Unnat Bharat Abhiyan Cell at NIT Meghalaya recently organized an engaging Drawing Competition, aimed at fostering creativity and raising awareness on vital themes of sustainability.With a focus on the pivotal topics of solar energy applications, the benefits of millet cultivation, and the significance of rainwater harvesting, the event sought to ignite the imagination of participants while promoting environmental consciousness. Under the capable coordination of Ph.D. students Shibshankar Si, Ria Deb, Sanchita Pramanik, and Amarjyoti Mondal, the competition provided a platform for budding artists and enthusiasts to express their perspectives on these pressing issues through the medium of art. The program commenced with an enriching interaction session with students from various science backgrounds, including those in the 11th and 12th standards. This interactive segment facilitated insightful discussions and exchanges of ideas, setting a conducive atmosphere for learning and collaboration. Throughout the event, both undergraduate and Ph.D. students of NIT Meghalaya showcased their expertise by delivering captivating presentations on the designated themes. These presentations not only informed the audience about the importance of sustainable practices but also inspired them to take proactive steps towards a greener future. The esteemed faculty members, Dr. Atanu Singha Roy and Dr. Bidyasagar Kumbhakar, lent their invaluable guidance and support, further enhancing the educational experience for all participants. The venue for this impactful event was the Ram Krishna Mission Ashrama in Shora, Meghalaya. This choice of venue not only provided a serene backdrop for the competition but also underscored the commitment of NIT Meghalaya’s Unnat Bharat Abhiyan Cell to engage with and serve the local community. Overall, the Drawing Competition organized by NIT Meghalaya’s Unnat Bharat Abhiyan Cell was a resounding success, reflecting the institute’s dedication to fostering innovation, sustainability, and community engagement.
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Organic Farming: A Sustainable Approach
With the increase in population, our compulsion is not only to stabilize agricultural production but to increase it further in a sustainable manner. Scientists have realized that the ‘Green Revolution’ with high input use has reached a plateau and is now sustained with diminishing return of falling dividends. Thus, a natural balance needs to be maintained at all costs for the existence of life and property. The solution lies in organic farming.
- Protecting the long-term fertility of soils by maintaining organic matter levels, encouraging soil biological activity, and careful mechanical intervention.
- Providing crop nutrients indirectly using relatively insoluble nutrient sources which are made available to the plant by the action of soil micro-organisms.
- Nitrogen self-sufficiency through the use of legumes and biological nitrogen fixation, as well as effective recycling of organic materials including crop residues and livestock manures.
- Weed, disease, and pest control relying primarily on crop rotations, natural predators, diversity, organic manuring, resistant varieties, and limited thermal, biological, and chemical intervention.
- The extensive management of livestock, paying full regard to their evolutionary adaptations, behavioral needs, and animal welfare issues with respect to nutrition, housing, health, breeding, and rearing.
Organic farming system in India is not new and is being followed from ancient times. It is a method of farming system which primarily aimed at cultivating the land and raising crops in such a way, as to keep the soil alive and in good health by use of organic wastes and other biological materials along with beneficial microbes (bio-fertilizers) to release nutrients to crops for increased sustainable production in an eco-friendly pollution-free environment.
The world has already tasted the ill effects of chemicals based agriculture in terms of land pollution, water pollution, air pollution, and even worst like causing deadly diseases like cancer in different parts. In India, Punjab, and Haryana are major examples of such degradations taking place in the name of green revolution over the past few decades. This offers a large scope for building rural enterprises, right from testing, certification, training to production, and processing in pre and post agriculture practices.
Organic farming not only supports the ecological balance but also offers opportunities for start-ups and entrepreneurship, closely linking with traditional practices and modern scientific expertise. This sustainable approach ensures the conservation of wildlife and natural habitats, promoting a healthier future for our planet.