Date : December 25, 2023
1. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Conducted Community Health Event to Promote TB Awareness and Nutrition in Kanti Village
On December 25, 2023, a community health event was held at the Amrita Library in Kanti village, Haryana, as part of the Community Covid Resilience Resource Center (CCRRC) project. This project, funded by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, seeks to foster resilience in communities through health and wellness initiatives. The event featured a tuberculosis (TB) awareness session to educate villagers on TB symptoms and prevention, followed by a survey aimed at identifying potential TB cases among symptomatic individuals.
In addition to TB awareness, the event emphasized the importance of a balanced and nutritious diet. Health and diet experts led a session on dietary practices, encouraging the inclusion of pulses and green vegetables for better health. This message was reinforced through the generous distribution of free pulses (dal), benefiting 80 families who attended the event. The event was inaugurated by Kanti village Sarpanch Shri Devi Singh and Shri Nepal Singh Chauhan, who addressed the community on the value of maintaining a healthy diet as a preventive measure against diseases.
Representatives from AMMACHI Labs and CCRRC staff, including Mahesh S Unnithan, Vinod Singh Rawat, Priyanka, Reena, and Montoo, attended the event. They were joined by two visiting students from the University of Twente in the Netherlands, Luca Vershure and Oliver Maddock, who observed the outreach activities. The CCRRC project, implemented by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s School for Sustainable Futures and the UNESCO Chair on Experiential Learning for Sustainable Innovation & Development, aims to deliver sustainable community interventions that translate technological advancements into practical solutions, fostering resilience and wellness across rural India.
Date : December 13, 2023
2. AMMACHI Labs Promotes Technology-Driven Education and Hygiene Awareness in Bihali, Haryana
On December 13, 2023, AMMACHI Labs continued its educational outreach mission in Bihali, Haryana, where the team is actively engaged in enhancing rural education and promoting hygiene practices through technology-driven initiatives. AMMACHI Labs staff members, including Mahesh S Unnithan, Gayathri Manikutty, Vinod Rawat, and Priyanka, have joined forces with students from the University of Twente, Luca Verschure and Oliver Maddock, to assess the impact of technology on rural educational methods and health practices. Together, they aim to understand how technological tools can encourage sustainable habits and improve learning outcomes among students in underserved communities.
One of the key highlights of the outreach is AMMACHI Labs’ innovative approach to teaching hand hygiene through Haksh-E, a robotic companion. Haksh-E engages local students with interactive demonstrations that emphasize the importance of handwashing, particularly in maintaining good health and preventing illness. Using innovative, persuasive technologies, Haksh-E delivers educational content in an engaging format, motivating students to adopt and retain good hygiene practices. This hands-on experience has proven valuable in fostering positive habits and reinforcing health education in a memorable way.
These educational outreach activities by AMMACHI Labs reflect the organization’s commitment to empowering rural communities through practical, technology-integrated solutions. By bringing advanced educational tools and methods to Bihali, the team is bridging the gap in rural education, demonstrating how technology can be leveraged for meaningful impact, particularly in the areas of health, hygiene, and foundational learning. Through such initiatives, AMMACHI Labs continues to support sustainable development in rural India, fostering growth and resilience in the next generation.
Date : December 11, 2023
3. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Launches Second Phase of “Sameekshanam – Be Calm, Be Compassionate” Program for CRPF Personnel
On December 11, 2023, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham inaugurated the second phase of its “Sameekshanam – Be Calm, Be Compassionate” program at the CRPF Group Center in Rangareddy, Telangana. The event, presided over by Shri Anil Minz, Deputy Inspector General of GC Rangareddy, CRPF South Sector, marked the beginning of a 15-day intensive workshop series titled the “Love You Zindagi” workshop. This training series will equip 69 CRPF personnel to serve as Master Trainers, empowering them to further share their insights and skills within their respective battalions across the CRPF South Sector. This program, designed to support the well-being of the forces, was spearheaded by researchers and trainers from the Center for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality (CWEGE), School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.
The “Love You Zindagi” workshop series focuses on strategies to enhance cognitive and emotional resilience, equipping personnel with tools to manage stress and strengthen mental health. The training is structured around interactive sessions that encourage participants to develop skills in self-care, emotional regulation, and mindfulness, contributing to a stronger, more balanced workforce. Additionally, the program promotes gender harmony, aiming to create a culture of inclusivity and respect within the forces. This aspect is essential to building a work environment that supports both mental health and gender equality, fostering an atmosphere of unity and understanding.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s **educational outreach activities** extend across numerous sectors, with initiatives aimed at empowering individuals and communities through targeted training and educational programs. Through programs like “Sameekshanam,” Amrita reaches a wide audience, providing specialized training that addresses both personal and professional development. By focusing on areas such as resilience, mental well-being, and gender harmony, these outreach efforts reinforce Amrita’s commitment to creating positive social impact, equipping individuals with skills that can benefit their lives and communities.
Date : December 05, 2023
4. AMMACHI Labs Advance Seaweed Cultivation Training for Women’s Empowerment in Ramanathapuram
On December 5, 2023, an AMMACHI Labs team, along with a marine ecosystem research expert, conducted a preparatory site visit to the coastal villages of Munaikadu and Olaikuda in Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, as part of an upcoming seaweed cultivation training project. This initiative, organized by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in partnership with the Transworld Group of Companies, aims to equip women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with the skills to sustainably cultivate seaweed, thereby promoting economic independence and environmental conservation. The AMMACHI Labs team, along with marine specialist Dr. Avigdor, explored the coastal marine environment, observing corals and sponges and examining local seaweed cultivation practices, including the fish cage culture and raft methods.
This seaweed cultivation project highlights Amrita’s commitment to using experiential learning methods for sustainable development. Through hands-on training, participants will gain valuable knowledge on effective and eco-friendly cultivation techniques, such as raft and fish cage methods, which not only support marine ecosystem health but also offer income-generating opportunities. These field visits ensure the training curriculum aligns with local environmental conditions, equipping women in SHGs with the tools they need to apply these practices effectively in their communities. The project also emphasizes the role of sustainable aquaculture in fostering self-reliance and resilience among local women.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s educational outreach activities extend across multiple sectors, particularly focusing on skill development, economic empowerment, and environmental stewardship. Through initiatives like the seaweed cultivation training, Amrita promotes livelihoods and sustainable practices, particularly in underserved coastal communities. This program reflects Amrita’s mission to empower individuals through education, fostering a sustainable future for local ecosystems and creating long-term economic stability for participants and their communities.