Best Practice –I : To inculcate human values among students

Objectives

The college has been continuously transforming the lives of thousands of girls every year. Students are encouraged to inculcate the human values of caring, sharing and developing empathy towards the needy and the under privileged. They are taught that by helping others we are making this world a better place to live in. As these students grow up, they will realise that they have two hands - one for helping themselves and one for helping others. The objective here is to teach the girls that helping others without expecting anything in return is what true self worth is about. It is through participation in such activities, which contribute to society, that students realize their complete potential and their energy is channelised towards contributing something useful to society. As is rightly said "values are caught and not taught", hence the faculty members serve as the role models.

The Context

The students studying in RKMV, although not all coming from very sound financial backgrounds, have a zeal to contribute to society in whatever small way they can, in quantity and quality. They apprise their parents regarding the community work done in the college through various activities. In the process parents are also educated regarding these activities in the college and they in their own way motivate and encourage their wards to take a more active part. This process has a positive effect on students such as helping them to develop skills, making contacts and allowing them to improve the quality of life of others. We at RKMV feel that students who give back to society perform better in life.

The Practice

To inculcate human values among students the concept of contribution to society is encouraged at RKMV. Students here are taught that social work can be done with minimum or no expenditure at all. It is motivation that is required to contribute to society. In this college we have established a "Cloth Bank" named “Mend a Heart” which is located at a central place where students and teachers can place their old usable clothes. When the box is full these clothes are distributed among the under privileged. The gratification expressed by the recipients is a motivator for this noble activity. The students also distribute these clothes through the Red Cross and Rotary Clubs, to the poorer patients and their attendants at the State Hospital (IGMC). These activities make the students realise the hardships of the poor and less fortunate and infuses a sense of empathy for fellow humans. We also have a "Roti Bank" functional in our college in collaboration with an NGO "Almighty Blessings", which serves langar to patients and their attendants at cancer hospital, IGMC Shimla and Kamla Nehru Hospital for Women. The students and staff of RKMV contribute rotis to this NGO, which are served in the evening at both the hospitals. Alumni association of RKMV has also organised "Langar" at the cancer hospital. Students also help in serving the patients and their attendants during the langar. This practice helps in imbibing in the students the value of dignity of labour. Students realise that service to the needy is service to God.

Evidence of Success

The evidence of success lies in the fact that requests for more clothes and more rotis pour in continuously. The number of volunteers is also increasing rapidly. More and more students want to be part of these activities. The students are involved in both collection and distribution which gives them a great sense of gratification.

Problems Encountered and Resources Required

At the very outset the students had to be motivated for these activities, which was done through interactions at various levels such as general announcements, group discussions and face to face conversations. The resources required were affordable and easily available. Since the activities were voluntary there was no coercion involved.

Best Practice –II: Healthy mind in healthy body

Objectives

Our institution believes that a healthy body and a healthy mind are both essential for the holistic development of society. Keeping this in mind a particular medical theme is chosen every year and practically applied. Of late people have become aware and concerned about their health and seek information regarding good health and ability to cope with ill health and malnutrition. Objective of this practice is to develop personalities which are both physically and mentally sound, which will encourage them to pursue their goals effectively. This practice also leads to the development of personalities capable of being successful both at the work place and also in the running of homes. When health is assured students work to the best of their ability and their efficiency increases. Good health also ensures that these students can deal with stress effectively and competently.

The Practice

The Institution organizes health awareness lectures and health check up camps from time to time. In 2015 awareness lectures regarding breast feeding and personal hygiene were conducted by team of doctors from department of community medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla. General health check up was conducted and gynecological problems were also discussed. A team of doctors from Zonal Hospital conducted general health check up for the girls. Again in the same year a health awareness camp was conducted in collaboration with NGO “UMANG” for the visually impaired. In this camp about 300 girls participated. The following year a team of doctors from Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla conducted a camp relating to gastroenterological problems. Health checkup of about 200 girls was done relating to digestive problems. Eye Check up camp was also conducted by a team of ophthalmologists. Eye sight was tested and the girls made aware of how to take care of their eyes. Advance eye checkup at Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla was recommended for few girls. AIDS awareness lectures were also organized. Continuing the process, in 2017 girls were tested for hemoglobin count and made aware of the problems relating to the deficiency of iron. Menstrual problems were also discussed. Overcoming old taboos talks were arranged regarding the menstrual cycle in women and menstrual hygiene. Keeping this in mind the institution has a sanitary towel dispensing machine and also an incinerator for the disposing of the sanitary pads. This ready availability of sanitary pads has instilled a sense of confidence in our girls. Further, in 2018 health awareness regarding life style diseases, particularly diabetes and stress related problems, was discussed. Cancer awareness camp especially for breast and cervix cancer was also organized. In 2019 a team of doctors sent by the CMO Shimla, examined the Hb level, sugar level and oxygen level of students. In March 2020 a health check-up camp was organized to make the staff and students aware about Covid-19, its symptoms and preventive actions to be taken.

"The World has enough for everyone's need, but not enough for everyone's greed" – Mahatma Gandhi

RKMV has a set of high values and standards for the improvement of community living. It encourages a combination of learning and right action for the betterment of society. We are driven to deliver our mission and are convinced of the transformative powers of extension activities. Our endeavour is to deliver education and knowledge to the students for the betterment of society. The Institution consistently inspires students and provides a platform for making students an asset for the society inculcating a sense of social responsibility in them.

Best Practice I: Sustainable Goals

Objectives

To teach the girls that selfless social work is what true self-worth is about. It teaches them the virtues of caring, sharing and philanthropy so that they become a true citizen of our country and uphold Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of just taking the minimum required.

The Context

Inculcating human values among students and encouraging social work. Students here are taught that sharing can be done by shelling out a little from their share. Motivation is the main key. For inculcating these values, the donation of clothes and contribution of Rotis is practiced all round the year.

The Practice

Cloth Bank named "Mend a Heart" was established where students and teachers can donate their old, clean and usable clothes which are distributed amongst the under privileged or the needy. These clothes are also distributed through Red Cross and Rotary Club of the city. To make the students realize the hardships of the poor and less fortunate and infuse a sense of empathy for fellow humans Gandhi Bazar is organized every year on Gandhi Jayanti where toys, books & clothes are sold at nominal price.

"Roti Bank" is functional in our college in collaboration with an NGO "Almighty Blessings", which serves langar to patients and their attendants. Alumni association of RKMV and Students render sewa to the patients and their attendants during the langar. This practice helps in imbibing in the students the value of dignity of labour also. Students realize that service to the needy is service to God. On 23rd October 2020 (because of CORONA rotis could not be donated) monetary contribution of Rs. 16528/- was made.

Another feather in our cap is the Book Bank which inculcates the feeling of sisterhood and sharing in the girls and also helps the needy students. Usable old books/ text books of all classes are collected from students and teachers for the Book Bank. The Book Bank has approximately 200 books which are borrowed from and returned to the Book Bank. Reusing books reduces the strain on natural resources and curtails paper wastage besides educating children about recycling and taking care of the environment

Evidence of Success

The very fact that the Roti and Kapda Bank practice has been continuing for more than 5 years is an ample proof of its success. Every year more and more people are being associated with it and the supply chain has not stopped even in tough Corona times. Involvement of students in collection and distribution has also increased.

Best Practice II : Inculcating Social Responsibilities

Objectives

To infuse sense of responsibility towards the senior citizens of the society and teach them to make an effort to take an extra step in this direction by lending a helping hand to the needy, aged people, patients and most importantly natural environment. Through these programs the students are exposed to the difficulties faced by the elderly and how they can serve them and the environment.

The Context

A number of programs for senior citizens are organized from time to time by Age Care India and our student volunteers. Our students in association with Age Care India organize program for the senior citizens where they understand the actual difficulties being faced by the elderly and their responsibility towards the elderly people in their family and around them. Students are also made conscious of the hardships and the environment around them.

The Practice

A number of programs for senior citizens are organized from time to time by Age Care India and our students volunteer for the successful organization of such programs. They have assisted in the eye checkup of the elderly, helped in a talk on Alzheimer's and how the elderly are coping up with it. They distributed blankets also. A big achievement of our students is that they assisted in packaging of the CORONA KIT during the lockdown period. Another example of responsibility towards society is the blood donation that is being carried out regularly in the college. The volunteer donors are available 24x7. Apart from this the girls are also very much conscious of their responsibilities towards environment as they not only plant trees but also try to nurture them and make an effort to curb the use of plastic.

Evidence of success

Every year volunteers from our college assist Age Care India in organizing different programme related to elderly.

Students of our college have not only planted trees but also have made efforts to save them and this is the reason why we have a 'peepal' tree growing in Kaithu area which was planted 3 years back by our students.