CAU students take rural lessons beyond the classroom, complete community outreach in South West Garo Hills

Tura, June 20: For several weeks, a group of students from the College of Community Science in Tura traded classrooms for village lanes, textbooks for field surveys, and lectures for hands-on community engagement.

The Rural Awareness Work Experience (RAWE) Programme of the fourth-year B.Sc. (Hons.) Community Science students of the College of Community Science, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), concluded on Friday with a valedictory function at Dighlapara village in South West Garo Hills.

The programme, a key component of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) curriculum, is designed to expose students to rural realities and development challenges by immersing them in village life. During their stay in Dighlapara, the students lived and worked closely with the community, conducting household surveys, awareness campaigns, demonstrations and educational programmes on nutrition, health and hygiene, child development, family resource management, women’s empowerment, livelihood generation and environmental sustainability.

The initiative also created a platform for knowledge exchange between students and villagers, encouraging community participation and fostering grassroots development.

Addressing the valedictory function, Rangsakona MLA Subir Marak praised the students for their commitment to community service and urged them to continue using their professional skills to contribute to rural development and nation-building.

Guest of honour Puneet Sharma, President of BWWA, Dobasipara BSF Camp, highlighted the role of Community Science in improving the quality of life of rural households and empowering communities through awareness and education.

Block Development Officer of Rerapara Block, Cheman Shira, commended the students for their active involvement in village activities and stressed the need for stronger collaboration between educational institutions and local administration to achieve sustainable development goals.

Earlier, Dean of the College of Community Science, Prof. Jyoti V. Vastrad, welcomed the gathering and underscored the significance of the RAWE programme in shaping socially responsible professionals.

She said the initiative equips students with practical skills and real-world experience while nurturing a deeper understanding of rural challenges through participatory and community-based approaches.

Village headman Shrivendra Koch and resident Amola Koch expressed gratitude to the college and students, noting that the awareness and developmental activities carried out during the programme had benefited the community and left a positive impact on villagers.

The event was attended by heads of departments, faculty members, students and local residents. It concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by RAWE Coordinator Dr Ranima Saikia, marking the successful completion of the programme and reaffirming the college’s commitment to rural outreach, experiential learning and community development.

Also Read: KHADC opp leader questions deficit shift, slams Land Act amendment

Also Watch

Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.

Hid Foundation Shillong appreciates Meghalaya government for sports growth under ministership of Wailadmiki Shylla

STF busts cross- border wildlife trafficking ring in Assam, rescues 8 Golden Langurs