Best Practice I

Academic Session 2018-19

Titleof the Practice: Organization of Theme based DepartmentalExhibitions

Objectivesof the Practice:

1. Developing ananalytical mind and research oriented outlook and aptitude in students
2. To impartspecialized knowledge by making learning an adventure
3. To develop astudent's abilities in thinking by arousing interest and stimulatingimagination
4. To develop astudent�s ability to relate to different ideas and reveal them clearly andeffectively wherever necessary.
5. Inculcating thevirtues of team spirit, participation, collaboration, dedication andindependent learning among the students
6. To sensitize thesociety to the current burning issues in the society.

TheContext:The traditional lecture and chalk and talk method of teaching in India hasoften encouraged a method of rote learning where the learners use memorization techniques based on repetition. On the otherhand, the modern approach to teaching involves the method of blendedlearning. Blended learning goes a step beyond rote learning and encouragesparticipatory or active learning among the students.  An exhibition is a perfect opportunity forparticipatory learning where the learners as a team can make an organisedpresentation based on a theme.

ThePractice:Each year the students� representatives of the college organize the twin eventsof Freshers' Welcome and Annual Social function under the name of �Kristi�. Onthis occasion, the college sets up about 16 to 18 dedicated temporary stalls orkiosks in the college premises where the students of the different departmentsof the college participate and arrange for an exhibition based on a particulartheme. In the academic session 2017-2018, this theme based departmentalexhibition was organized on 7 ^th and 8 ^th November 2017.Again in the academic session 2018-19, the theme based departmental exhibitionwas held from 16^th January 2019 to 18^th January 2019. Thethemes that are chosen very often complement the curriculum of a given subject.

Obstaclesfaced/Problems encountered: Paucity of funds and resources forputting up the exhibition stalls of the departments.

Evidenceof Success: The exhibition is mostly spear-headed by thestudents of the different departments, occasionally consulting theirdepartmental teachers. The organization of such departmental exhibitions hasserved as a platform and opportunity for the students to present their talentsand potentials, to learn the nuances of team work and collaborative learning,understanding real life issues and for bonding and uniting the whole college asa single family.

Theenthusiasm of the students is also reflected in the choice of themes or topicson which departmental exhibitions have been organized and the subsequentorganized presentations made by the students in two successive academic yearsthat is 2017-18 and 2018-19 is given below in a tabular form are:

Best Practice II

2018-19

Title ofthe Practice: Inculcatingintegrity among the incumbents of the institution through birthday celebration

TheContext:In ourday to day affairs we often forget the role played by an individual incumbentin smooth functioning of the institution. The contribution of each individualincumbent, irrespective of his/her designation, builds that harmonious base onwhich the institution is founded. However, over time we imbibe the habit oftaking our co-workers for granted. It is only during their absence that we misstheir presence, efficiency and contribution. Quoting here the famous Americanindustrialist, Henry Ford, "Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together isprogress. Working together is success".

Against this backdrop, thenecessity was felt by the Head of the institution to honour the contribution ofeach individual as well as build trust, harmony and a sense of belonging amongthe incumbents of the organization by celebrating the birthday of each incumbent.

Goals:

To patronize a friendly, cordialand homely work environment, basically informal in nature ensuring warmth andcheer.

To get well-acquainted withthe co-workers of the institution and celebrate the bond and cohesion thatexists among them.

To respect the contributionmade by each individual incumbent of the organization.

To build trust, harmony andbrotherhood among the teaching and non-teaching fraternity.

To instil a sense ofbelongingness to the organization.

ThePractice:ThePrincipal maintains a list of birthdays of all the members of the teaching andnon-teaching fraternity of the college and makes it a point to celebrate thebirthday of each individual incumbent. Each month on the occasion of thebirthday of an incumbent, all members of the college gather in the principal�schamber at the end of the day, where a small birthday celebration is organizedby blowing off candles and cutting the cake. The incumbent treats all themembers to token refreshments. The teaching and non-teaching staff celebratethe birthday of the head of the institution in a similar manner.

Obstaclesfaced/Problems encountered: No problems were encountered

Evidenceof Success:Theevidence of success is reflected in the spirited involvement of all the membersof the institution in everyday affairs, during important occasions like thevisit of an important guest or an important event of the college and alsoduring the hours of need of the institution.

Resources Required:Onlyspirited humane initiative

Academic Session 2019-20

Title of the Practice:Conduct of Internal Assessments in the online mode

Objectives of the Practice:

To acquaint the students with the digital world.

To get the students a hands-on experience of online examinations

To acquaint the students with the modalities of online examinations; the prevalent mode of conducting various competitive examinations leading to entry in service.

This will also pave the way for faster evaluation and systematic storage as well as retrieval of examination data.

This is also in line with the policy of our affiliating university to switch on to a completely paperless system

To make the students environment consciousness by not wasting paper made from pulp of woods.

The Context:In the modern world many important recruitment examinations are conducted online. But it has been our general observation that the majority of our students are not acquainted with the process and modalities of online examinations. Hence some of them were found to be less confident and having reservations in appearing in competitive examinations that are conducted online. Therefore it was decided that the learners should be exposed to the online examination system so that they can have a first-hand experience of the process.

ThePractice: The Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) comprising six semesters was initiated by Kazi Nazrul University in 2016-17. In this pattern of study, under each programme, the learners are assessed internally for 10 marks for each course in each semester. In the academic session 2018-19, the institution for the first time decided to conduct the internal assessment of the sixth semester students in certain courses in the online mode on an experimental basis. In the online mode of Internal Assessment, on the day of examination, the students were required to answer a set of 10 Multiple Choice Questions in each course and submit the same within a stipulated time frame. It was found that the additional advantage of conducting examination in this manner was that the results of the examinees were immediately generated online and later could beaccessed by the college authorities for future reference and uploading to theUniversity portal. Our institution being inspired by the level of success inthe maiden attempt, henceforth decided to carry out online internal assessmentsfor the fifth and sixth semester students in Honours courses (except Santali subject) in each academic session. Therefore, online internal assessments wereconducted for the fifth and sixth semester students in Honours courses (exceptSantali subject) in the academic session 2019-20.

Obstaclesfaced/Problems encountered:Initially there were some minor technical glitcheswhich were soon overcome by speedy redressal. The digital divide made some ofthe students a bit shaky in the beginning, but in course of time they tooacquired adequate confidence.

Evidenceof Success: Afterintroducing this practice online internal assessment it became very popularamong the students. The teachers also found the system to be a better one sofar as managing the answer scripts and award lists are concerned. Further conductingthe Internal Assessment in the online mode has emerged as a standard practice.

Best Practice II

Academic Session 2019-20

Titleof the Practice: Celebrationof Children�s Day by the learners of the Department of History in the adoptedvillages of the NSS units of the college with the association of NSS volunteers.

Objectivesof the Practice:

Make the students aware of the starksocial reality.

To instill a strong sense of socialresponsibility among the students.

Motivate the students to contribute tothe society meaningfully through philanthropic activities.

To forge team spirit among the learners

To inculcate leadership qualities.

Inspire other co-learners and set aprecedence for them

TheContext:On a regular visit to the Anganwadi Centres (C-45 & C-46) of the twoadopted villages of the National Service Scheme (NSS) Units, namely Banskatparaand Joratolpara in 2011, some NSS volunteers were shocked by the plight of the underprivilegedchildren there.It seemed obvious that the poor children did not have properaccess to books and other accessories needed for proper education. These volunteershailing from the Department of History of the college felt it to be their moralobligation to do something worthwhile for those disadvantaged children in theirhumble capacity. They approached their departmental teachers for guidance.After much deliberation, the students along with their teachers decided tocelebrate Children�s Day for the children of the adopted villages of the NSSunits of the college and on this occasion present each children with aneducation kit.

ThePractice:Starting in 2011, the �Children�s Day� celebrated by the Department of Historyfor almost ten years has always been an exclusive initiative of the students ofthe department. Each academic year, the students of the Department of History planand organize the event on 14^thNovember in consultation with thePrincipal, the departmental teachers and the NSS Programme Officers.In case 14^thNovember coincides with a holiday, the students make it a point to celebratethe event on some other date in the month of November.  For this occasion, the learners in theirmodest capacity contribute financially to purchase and later present educationkits to the children of the adopted villages of the NSS units.Sometimesteachers of the department too additionally help in the contribution.Thestudents first elicit information on the total number of children from theAnganwadi Centres of Banskatpara and Joratolpara and then proceed to purchasethe educational kits accordingly.The composition of the educational kit to bepresented to each child varies depending upon the aggregate fund collected. Sofar, it consisted of bags, books or writing accessories or a combination ofthese. The Children�s Day for the academic session 2019-20 was celebrated withchildren of the Banskatpara and Joratolpara on 14^th November 2019.

Obstaclesfaced/Problems encountered:Paucity of funds deter students to include moreitems in the educational kit.

Evidenceof Success: Theteam spirit of the students of the department is an inspiration. It has ensuredthat the seniors of the department pass on the baton to the juniors to celebratethis event of Children�s day each year with regularity for the underprivilegedchildren of the two adopted villages of the National Service Scheme (NSS)Units, namely Banskatpara and Joratolpara in the conventional fashion.Theevidence of success is also reflected in the number of children (Table1) whohave benefited from this event.

Best Practices 2020-21

BestPractice I

Titleof the Practice:

 Publication of e-wall magazines ande-newsletters - a Participatory Method of Learning

 Objectives:

1. To make the learners activeparticipants in the process of learning

2. To make learning enjoyable

3. Help to sustain the newly acquiredknowledge for a longer span of time

4. To encourage them to objectivelyanalyse the subject matter of teaching

5. To encourage critical thinking

6. Acquire new skills in the process oflearning

TheContext:

Theorientation of the teaching-learning process in the contemporary world is moretowards imbibing student centric methods of learning. One such student centricmethod is participatory learning. This method of learning creates an ambiencewhere the learners do not merely remain silent beneficiaries of theoretical knowledgeacquisition, but actively participate in the process of learning, analyseobjectivelyand think and express critically. Apart from the traditional lecturemethod, Raniganj Girls’ College in seeking innovation in the learning processhas adopted different forms of participatory method of learning which includeseducational tours, field visits, excursions, students’ projects, groupdiscussions, student seminars, departmental exhibitions, publication ofdepartmental wall magazine and so on.

ThePractice:

It has beenan old tradition of the different departments of the college to annually publishdepartmental wall magazine on current burning issues or topics based on thesyllabi of the concerned disciplines. For such publications, most of thedepartments enjoy a dedicated space earmarked for this purpose. It isinteresting to note that as the affiliation for the number of subjects taughtin the college increased over the years, the number of publications also grew.

The processof planning to execution that goes behind the creation of a wall magazine isthe joint endeavour of the students of the different semesters under theguidance of their teachers. It is a hands-on experience with close involvementof the learner shaving intense discussion with their teachers, consultingmultiple sources of references and peer consultation. The student is aparticipant as well as a contributor to the process of knowledge creation. Thisnot only enriches the learner but also helps to acquirea better understandingand grip on the topic. Moreover, the learner is able to sustain what she haslearnt for a longer time span as compared to rote learning.

 The suddenonset of the pandemic situation in India in 2020, subsequent lockdown and theclosure of educational institutions threatened the physical publication of thewall magazines by the departments.

 Evidenceof Success

The lockdown could have been a deterrent to this above annualendeavour if not for the positivity that surrounds the institution. As such,the teaching –learning process of the institution was already being carried onvirtually. Taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the digitalplatform, different departments of the college took the initiative to publishtheir e-wall magazine or e-newsletters.

The Geography department published their digital wall magazine on‘Cartographic Revolution’. Physics published ‘Barnali’ which included the Ramanissue and the Alumni Special issue. The digital magazine of Botany discusses‘Facts about COVID-19 (SARS_COV_2)’.The Economics department published ‘SpotLight’ which focussed on “Migration and Reverse Migration of Labourers inIndia” and The Alumnae Digest 2021.Microbiology published ‘Animalcules’ whichdiscusses the ‘Role of Microbiology in understanding the science behind theglobal pandemic’.The Zoology department published the ‘Fauna’ and Psychologypublished the ‘Schema’.

The English department published three issues of the e-newsletter‘Epsilon’. The History department published digitally the 18^thEdition of ‘Cleo’ which deals with the tribal uprising in India in the 19^thcentury. Hindi brought out four issues of their digital wall magazine on‘MangleshDabaral’, ‘PhanishwarNathRenu’, ‘Raghuvir Sahay’ and ‘BhartenduHarish’. The Political Science department published their e-wall magazine on ‘TowardsEnvironment- More Green World’ and theUrdu department published ‘Parwaaz’ whichtalks about Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.

The Commerce department published the ‘Commercium Pragati’, theClassical Vocal Music department published ‘Akshiptika’ which discusses about‘Taat and VitaatBadya’ and Physical Education published ‘Event at Crown &Wreath’ which is focussed on Olympics and COVID-19. Inspired by the rest,Education, Sociology and Santali digitized their respective wall magazines-‘Pragyadeep’, ‘Unmesh’ and ‘Sagen Sakam’.

The students, staying at home, worked hard to arrange materials,compose articles and prepare charts or drawings to contribute towards thedepartmental magazine and sent the same via emailor on the Whats App to theirteachers. The teachers digitally compiled and edited the contributions and gavefinal shape to the e-publications. All these e-wall magazines and e-newsletters were later posted on the Events page of the departments on the collegewebsite. This new aspect of participatory learning helped the students to get aclear understanding about the topic on which the participant worked upon andcritically ponder upon the issue.It also helped her to acquire new skills and becomeefficient in the use of ICT tools. 

ProblemsEncountered and Resources Required

The first problem was to conceptualize the idea of publishing thewall magazines digitally. The second hurdle was to explain the procedure insimple terms such that the work at hand seems easy to the student. The nextdifficulty was to gauge the file size which could be transmitted smoothly onsocial networking platforms.  Thedepartments overcame the hurdles through discussions and by consulting theinternet resources.

The resources needed for the publication of digital wall magazinesand newsletters included active internet connectivity onICT enabled devices, openingemail accounts, becoming active on social networking sites, creativity of thestudents, guidance of the teachers and finally assistance from the collegeoffice for posting the publicationsin the electronic format on the collegewebsite.

Best Practice II

Titleof the Practice:

Environmental Initiatives of theInstitution

 Objectives:

1. To instill environmentalconsciousness and an attitude of eco-sensitivity among all the stakeholders ofthe college

2. To engage in sustainable practices

3. To be a participant in the process ofecosystem restoration

4. To reduce environmental degradation

5. Motivate not only the primarystakeholders but also the immediate neighbourhood with green practices.

TheContext:

Raniganj Girls’ College is located inthe heart of famous Raniganj Coalfields of Eastern India. Over the years, therehave been several environmental studies and research on this area citing thenegative impacts of modern civilization on its immediate environment. In thecontemporary world of emerging environmental consciousness, it is but naturalto implement environmental initiatives by an institute of higher learning likeours to reduce the incidence of environmental degradation.  Green Living and eco-friendly practices areimperatives on us for the survival of our planet and the human species. Thus itis desirable that the stakeholders of the college imbibe an environmentconscious and eco-friendly attitude in their thought and living. Therefore itwas decided by the college authority to inculcate eco-sensitivity among thestudents and staff through some best practices so that they can not onlypractice them individually but also motivate the public in general beyond thecampus to adopt green practices. 

ThePractice:

As a part of environmental initiatives,several eco-friendly practices towards greening the campus and sustainableenvironmental practices are in vogue. Here are some representative initiatives:

1. Yearly plantation of broad leaved andfruit yielding saplings

2. Maintenance of the herbal garden withmedicinal plants

3. Cultivation of seasonal vegetables inthe college backyard

4. Waste recycling

5. Banning of single use plastic oncampus

6. Controlling soil contamination by theeffluents of the Chemistry laboratory

7. Rain water harvesting

8. Energy conservation through use ofalternative energy sources

9. Awareness programme on Environment

Evidenceof Success:

The positive impacts of theseenvironmental practices are visible on the campus. The college is home to 718timber yielding trees which include fruit bearing and timber yielding plants.The green campus has turned into hosts of entire eco-systems with a variety offauna finding their natural habitats on our campus. There is regularmaintenance of the herbal garden with medicinal plants. Seasonal vegetables arecultivated in the college backyard. The college carried out their yearlyplantation programme with the police personnel who camped in the premisesduring the West Bengal Assembly elections and also with the Green Club ofRaniganj. Regular maintenance and cleaning activities help to keep the premisesneat and clean.

InFebruary 2021, Raniganj Girls’ College entered into collaboration with theDepartment of Ecological Studies, International Centre for EcologicalEngineering of the University of Kalyani for setting up a training centre invermicomposting. Biodegradable wastes are now mostly converted into compost bythe vermicomposting unit installed in the college campus. Waste papers are soldto vendors for recycling. Single use plastics are banned within the collegecampus. Hence the verdant lawns bear no trace of plastic, especially of thesingle use variety.

TheCollege implements hazardous waste management with burial pits for waste watereffluents from the Chemistry laboratory. Rejected computers and computerperipherals are handed over to the concerned organization for recyclingpurposes. The college also promotes the practice of pisciculture and nurturesindoor plants and a plant nursery within the college campus. The students ofNSS often visit the plant nursery to take care of the saplings as a part oftheir regular NSS activities.

Theinstitution has rain water harvesting system for harnessing rain water duringthe rainy season and using the same to water plants during the dry season. Thecollege practices energy conservation through the use of LED bulbs. Solarstreet lights have been installed in the campus to keep the campus well-litduring the night.

Severalenvironment awareness programmes through webinars were organized on the virtualplatform during the lockdown. These include celebration of Earth Day, WorldEnvironment Day, and International Day for Biodiversity. Poster competition onEarth Day was also organized by the Department of Geography. Environmentalconsciousness is also instilled through courses on environment offered in thecurriculum of different subjects. Publication of wall magazine on environmentalissues and Projects in Environmental Studies also inculcate eco-sensitivityamong the students.

ProblemsEncountered and Resources Required:

Inspite of perceptible success, therestill remain some problem areas. Sometimes it becomes difficult to protect theflower garden and the vegetables from the atrocities of the monkeys and otherbirds and animals. However as love for nature comes naturally, it is found thatdifferent stakeholders actively participate in nurturing and sustaining theenvironmental initiatives of the college.

BEST PRACTICE 2021-2022

BEST PRACTICE I

Title of the Practice: Practicing thePrinciple of 3R

Objectives of the Practice: Training thestudents through practical activities and programmes to adopt environmentfriendly behavior and sustainable practices at the micro-level.

The Context: We cannot help generatingwaste in course of maintaining our livelihood. However, we can create a significantimpact on responsible waste management by following the 3R principle: Reduce,Reuse and Recycle. The waste that is generated in India can be minimized byconsuming our resources judiciously, reusing our resources and adopting methodsto recycle them. A major part of the solid waste generated and dumped aslandfills in India consist of discarded paper and plastics. Plastic today hasbecome a menace for the society. Single use plastics have been banned in India.Thus finding innovative ways of recycling existing plastics has become crucialand raising awareness about the environmental issues is extremely important.After all responsible and informed waste segregation at source goes a long wayin effective environment friendly waste management.

The Practice:

The plastic paint containers that wereleft behind after the painting of the college building turned out to bedisturbing non-biodegradable waste that had accumulated in the collegepremises. The NSS units of the college involved the volunteers to reclaim theseplastic containers, decorated and be recycled as waste–bins or dust-bins. Thisalso gave the students the opportunity to learn about the principle of 3R.

Obstacles faced/Problems encountered: Noobstacle was encountered while carrying out the environmental projects.

Resources required: Discarded paintbuckets, colours and brushes and other waste material

Evidence of Success:

Under the guidance of few teachers, discardedpaint containers decorated by the NSS volunteers are now used as dustbins inthe classrooms. Students learnt about the importance of following the principleof 3R to reduce carbon footprints from this activity

BEST PRACTICE II

Title of the Practice:  Touching Lives - Institutional Social Responsibility

Objectives of the Practice

• To realize that one needs to give and not just receiveselfishly from society
• To make the stakeholders aware of their collective responsibilityto the society
• To nurture the lofty ideals of selfless service to mankind
• To instill the spirit of brotherhood
• To realize that humanity flourishes and succeeds if there isa humane touch

The Context

Social responsibility is not legally mandatory for highereducational institutions in India and the idea largely resides as a legalmandate for companies in the form of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Howeverour college, beyond its role as a provider of education, has increasingly felt theneed to connect with its immediate environment and the society at large. InstitutionalSocial Responsibility is an endeavour in this direction. The objective of educationcannot just be about acquiring knowledge and sharpening one’s latent skills in orderto establish oneself in the society. It is also about imbibing the vision ofcollective responsibility towards the society, of nurturing the society whichsustains the individual, an opportunity to express gratitude for the prospectsthe society has gifted one with – a way to give for what one gets. Thus InstitutionalSocial Responsibility (ISR) is not just an idea for Raniganj Girls’ College; itis an attitude that touches lives.

The Practice

In the age of ruthless global competition, it is the humanetouch that creates a remarkable difference in one’s attitude to life fosteringbrotherhood, rebuilding faith in human values and humanity. The community basedactivities thatoutline the ISR initiatives of Raniganj Girls’ College in thisperiod are summarized below:

1. Celebration of Children’s Day jointly by the students andalumni of the Department of History and NSS units of the college by presentingthe children of the adopted villages with educational kits
2. Woollen garments were distributed inBajoria Vriddha Sevasadan, a home for the aged on 31.01.2022
3. A Certificate Course in Santali was commenced for the Santalinhabitants of a nearby village to create awareness about the “Ol Chiki” scriptand teach basic mathematics and grammar with the help of the teachers andalumni of the Santali department of the college.
4. The college has also established a vermicomposting unit incollaboration with the Department of Ecological Studies, International Centrefor Ecological Engineering of the University of Kalyani with the objective toset up a training centre for neighbouring farmers in vermicomposting as alaboratory to land initiative. The first training programme was attended by 11Santali farmers from the neighbouring villages of Kadamdanga, Palashdanga,Banshra, Babupur, Charakdanga and Michildanga.
5. Extensive Plantation Programmewas carried out in an effortto reduce carbon footprints
6. Two COVID-19 vaccination camps held in the college on01.10.2021 and 21.12.2021 for the students. Some residents from theneighbourhood were also vaccinated in these camps

Evidence of Success

The evidence of success for any type of endeavour undertakengets reflected in the impact it leaves behind. The active involvement andparticipation of the teachers and the students has given the impetus to theinstitution to increase the number of activities involving social responsibility.Coupled with this the involvement of the alumni in such activities has furtherbuilt hope for the future. The episodes of lockdown during the pandemicsituation could not deter the enthusiasts to think about their fellow humansand touch their lives whereby the faith in humanity is enhanced.

Problems Encountered and Resources Required

The biggest challenge at the outset perhaps had been tomotivate the stakeholders to participate in altruistic activities because formany philanthropy seems to be an unnecessary appendage in life. However, overthe years this attitude has undergone a metamorphosis. Today the zealousparticipation of the different stakeholders of the college like the teachers,the non-teaching staff, the students and the alumni, forms the most importantresource for organizing different humanitarian activities. 

Best Practices (2022-2023)

Title of thePractice: Literacy in Mother Tongue

 Objectives

• Fosteringinclusive education
• Preservingthe ethnic identity
• Attainingliteracy in one’s mother tongue

The Context

Ourcollege, beyond its role as a provider of education, has increasingly felt theneed to connect with its immediate environment and the society at large. Languageis a crucial aspect of a person’s identity. Hence, under its initiatives in institutionalsocial responsibility, the college decided to propagate the OlChiki script beyond its campus.

The Practice

A 48 hour CertificateCourse in Basic Santali washas been designed and offered by Raniganj Girls’College to the Santalinhabitants of a nearby tribal village named Michildanga near Raniganj since 2021.The course was designed targeted at spreading literacy in the Ol-Chiki script amongthe Santals and making education more inclusive.

Evidence ofSuccess

At the end ofthe course, examinations were conducted in the college and certificatesdistributed to the qualifying students. So far, two batches of Santal studentshave completed the course. They learnt to read and write in the Ol-Chikiscript.

Problemsencountered and Resource Required

No problemswere encountered. The resources provided included sataranchi(carpet) forsitting, books, chalk and duster. 

Best Practices II

Title of thePractice: “Alo” (Freedom from Blindness)

 Objectives

To createpublic consciousness about burning health issues

To eradicatethe causes of blindness in India

 The Context

The collegeannually organizes different health awareness programme and free healthcheck-up camps for different stakeholders as well as the residents of the NSSadopted villages to raise awareness about important health issues. Recently, wecame across a WHO/National Programme for Control of Blindness survey which estimatedthat the annual incidence of blindness due to cataract is about 3.8 million inIndia. According to the same survey, the total backlog of blind eyes in Indiais over 22 million with 80.1% of these blindness is due to cataract. Ironicallythe inability to bear the cost of expenditure for medical treatment is one ofthe major causes of this suffering.

 The Practice

Following the informationobtained from the survey, it was decided that two free Eye and Health Check-Upcamps will be organized on 3rd and 23rd March 2023 respectively in associationwith the help of Lions Club of Asansol, Udayan.

 Evidence ofSuccess

In this freeeye and health check-up camps, patients with cataract problems were identifiedand counselled for cataract operation free of cost. The cataract operation ofone of the patients, BarinMondal, a local resident of Raniganj was performedsuccessfully at Lions M J M Eye Hospital, Raniganj on 13.04.2023. Later, thecataract operation of two more people namely DasiRuidas and Kalpana Bhandari wereper formed in 2024 under the same initiative.

 Problems encountered and Resource Required

No problemswere encountered. The college provided the rooms for setting up the free eyeand health check-up camps. The NSS volunteers helped in door to doorcampaigning about the camp and re-directing the people to the camp venue. The expensesof the medical procedures were borne by Lions Club of Asansol, Udayan.