“Grama Shakthi – UBA for Strong Tomorrow” - Special Seminar

A one-day awareness programme titled “Grama Shakthi – UBA for Strong Tomorrow” was organized by the UBA Cell in association with the Department of Research and Development, Indra Ganesan Institutions, Trichy, on 25th October 2025 at 11:00 AM in the Seminar Hall. The objective of the programme was to enlighten students about the mission, activities, and societal impact of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), while also emphasizing the relevance of organic farming in achieving sustainable agricultural development and rural empowerment. The event commenced with the traditional Tamil Thai Vaazhthu, followed by a soulful prayer song. The programme was graced by the presence of Er. G. Rajasekaran, Secretary, Indra Ganesan Group of Institutions, who delivered an inspiring address, applauding the UBA Cell for its proactive initiatives toward community development. Acknowledgements were also extended to Dr. G. Balakrishnan, Director, Indra Ganesan Group of Institutions, appreciating his continuous support in strengthening UBA-led institutional outreach. Dr. M. Anusuya, Registrar, delivered the Welcome Address, highlighting the institution’s dedicated involvement in UBA activities, particularly in the adopted villages, and encouraged students to contribute actively towards rural upliftment. Dr. D. Sriram, Associate Professor, Department of mechanical engineering, introduced the Guest of Honour. The Chief Guest, Dr. E. Somasundaram, Director (Agribusiness Development) and RCI–UBA Coordinator at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, delivered a highly impactful keynote address. He elaborated on how UBA bridges higher educational institutions with rural communities through innovative technology transfer, community engagement, and sustainable development practices. He also underlined the harmful consequences of excessive chemical fertilizer usage, including soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and food quality deterioration. Dr. Somasundaram strongly advocated the adoption of organic and natural farming techniques to restore soil fertility, protect the environment, and improve farmers’ socio-economic conditions. His insightful talk motivated students to take part in various rural-centric activities such as soil health assessment, compost and bio-fertilizer promotion, preservation of native crop species, and dissemination of modern farm techniques to farmers. He emphasized student-driven rural participation as a key component in shaping a resilient and sustainable agricultural future. The event concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks proposed by Dr. M. Joseph Salethraj, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, who expressed gratitude to the Chief Guest, the Management, faculty members, staff, and students for their dedicated involvement and support in making the programme a resounding success. The awareness programme effectively enhanced student understanding of sustainable agricultural practices and strengthened their commitment towards rural welfare, thereby reaffirming the institution’s pledge to the vision of “Grama Shakthi – UBA for Strong Tomorrow.”