The practical experience will help students understand the ground realities of rural people and their problems
BENGALURU
Education must not end within classrooms but extend to empower individuals to transform their communities, asserted N.R. Siddaraj, Assistant Director, Department of Social Welfare, Hosakote, while inaugurating the rural exposure programme for Media Studies students of Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru. The event was held at Lingapura village under the Hetthakki Grama Panchayat in Hoskote Taluk.
Siddaraj said that such programmes play a crucial role in nurturing socially responsible citizens capable of contributing to balanced and sustainable national development. Organised under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan initiative by the Department of Media Studies, the visit aimed to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-life rural experiences.
Lokesh, Panchayat Development Officer of Hetthakki Grama Panchayat, highlighted the significance of student involvement in community development. He said academic participation fosters mutual understanding and builds trust between educational institutions and rural communities.
During the visit, students conducted household surveys, observational studies, and informal interactions to assess socio-economic conditions and the accessibility of essential services such as healthcare, sanitation, education, and infrastructure. The survey found that while Lingapura has electricity and basic road facilities, internal connectivity and digital access remain limited. Although most homes have toilets, water scarcity continues to affect the area, and healthcare facilities are inadequate. Agriculture and daily wage labour form the main sources of income, with earnings fluctuating by season.
Students’ Findings to Aid Future Village Development Plans
The insights gathered will feed into future village development initiatives under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan at Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be University). The project underscores the university’s commitment to community engagement, grassroots collaboration, and sustainable rural development.
