Bhubaneswar, Feb. 3: A group of 220 students of the SOA University, volunteers of the NSS, spent a week in five villages on the outskirts of the capital city to spread awareness about healthcare, maintaining cleanliness, safe motherhood and current issues surrounding digital payments and the Jandhan Yojana.
The students, drawn from the faculties of engineering and technology, dental science, management science, nursing and pharmaceutical sciences, camped in Jamujhari, Chhatabar, Bindhagiri, Kantabada and Malipada villages from January 26 to February 1 spending time with the inhabitants.
The students spent time spreading awareness on oral hygiene, conducted health check-ups with the help of doctors from the IMS and SUM Hospital which included screening of blood sugar level, blood pressure and problems of old age. They also informed the villagers as to how they could stay aware from diseases like tuberculosis and bird flu.
The students cleaned up a community tank in Malipada village and helped the inhabitants in removing garbage from the vicinity while creating awareness about the Swachh Bharat campaign. Some students also taught arithmetic and science to children.
Separate valedictory programs were held in different villages on Tuesday and Wednesday which were attended by the state NSS officer Mr. Upendranath Sahu, Desk Officer Mr. Pramod Rout and Assistant Section Officer Mr. Abhijit Mishra who praised the work done by the university students.
“The students have successfully replicated the NSS moto of ‘College to Village’ and such efforts would receive full support from the government,” Mr. Sahu said.
Prof. Sankarshan Nanda, Dean, Students’ Welfare, attended the programs and encouraged the students to take part in more such programs aimed at nation building. Dr. Nachiketa Sharma, NSS Coordinator for SOA University, gave an account of the work taken up by the students over the last few months for development in peripheral villages including plantation of trees.
