Visakhapatnam-based Andhra University Regional Coordinating Institute (AURCI) has initiated a remarkable endeavor involving 15,000 students from 132 colleges across 10 districts in Andhra Pradesh. These students, aged above 18 years and representing various disciplines such as engineering, polytechnic, and law, are working together to develop 660 remote villages under the Unant Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) program. UBA is a joint flagship initiative of the Union Ministry of Education and the Human Resource Development.
The students’ responsibility within the program is to visit the adopted villages affiliated with their colleges, with each college adopting five villages. During their visits, they thoroughly assess the existing infrastructure, public health facilities, educational institutions, and government services, aiming to identify any prevalent issues and provide feasible solutions. To accomplish their goals, the students seek support from local government officials, including Collectors, as well as volunteers from village secretariats.
Highlighting the magnitude of the initiative, AURCI Nodal Officer G. Nagaraja stated, “A total of 7,683 colleges under AURCI from 10 districts are eligible for this program. So far, a total of 302 colleges have been consulted, but only 132 have been officially registered. This program will continue until the year 2047.”
In support of the participating colleges, the government will provide a grant of ₹50,000 ($690) for each registered college. This financial aid can be utilized by individuals, including college staff and students, to implement various projects and initiatives aimed at improving the adopted villages under the UBA program.
AURCI Coordinator B. Pavani shared, “Out of the 132 registered colleges, 12 have already received ₹50,000 ($690) and additional grants ranging from ₹2 to ₹4 lakh ($2,760 to $5,520) each. These additional funds have been awarded to these colleges based on their progress in taking the UBA program to the next level. The involvement of village volunteers has been crucial to the success of the UBA program.”
One student, V. Deekshitha, a civil engineering student from SRKR Engineering College in Bhimavaram, explained her experience, stating, “We joined UBA as a summer internship. We conducted tests on drinking water samples from five villages and identified any defects, subsequently providing suggested solutions to the local authorities. The positive response from the villagers has brought us immense satisfaction.”
Echoing the sentiment, S. Renuka Devi, another student participating in the program, emphasized the long-term benefits, saying, “Engaging in voluntary work in remote and underdeveloped villages will not only contribute to our career development after completing our studies but also benefit society as a whole.”
Expressing his enthusiasm for the program, AURCI Chief and Andhra University Vice-Chancellor P.V.G.D. Prasad Reddy remarked, “A total of 40 institutions in the country, including two in Andhra Pradesh (one being Andhra University), have been selected for UBA. The program has been progressing well over the past year. We welcome more students and colleges to join this initiative, as it holds immense potential for both societal and student development.”