IGNOU RC Port Blair organises Unnat Bharat Abhiyaan program in Chouldari Village

Sri Vijaya Puram, May 05: IGNOU RС Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram) organizes ‘Science Village’ program under the aegis of ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyaan’- a flagship programme of the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India- at village Chouldari, Ferrargunj Block, South Andaman in collaboration with St. Albert`s college (Autonomus), Ernakulam, Kochi, Kerala on 05th May 2025 from 10:30 AM to 01:30 PM. The program was attended by Chief Guest BDO, Ferrargunj Ms. Lalita Tigga, Pradhan Chouldari Panchayat Ms. Tapasi Saha, IGNOU Regional Director Prof. (Dr.) Sunil Jacob, IGNOU Assistant Regional Director Dr. Uday Kumar, IGNOU Assistant Regional Director Dr Sudarshan Raja attended the program. Resource person Dr. Vijay John Gerson, HoD, Dr. Nisha V S, Assistant Professor, Dr Krishna Kumar K S, Assistant Professor etc for the program came from Chemistry department of St. Albert`s College (Autonomous), Ernakulam, Kochi, Kerala. The program was also honoured by the presence of the Manager of the St. Albert`s College (Autonomous) Rev. Dr. Antony Thoppil.
The program begun with the welcome address by the IGNOU Regional Director Prof. (Dr.) Sunil Jacob and by presenting bouquet to all guests. Chief Guest BDO, Ferrargunj Ms. Lalita Tigga delivered the address and appreciated the work being done by the IGNOU. Pradhan Chouldari Panchayat Ms. Tapasi Saha also thanked IGNOU for initiating this initiative under Unnat Bharat Abhiyaan and also for adopting three villages namely Chouldari, Badmash Pahar, Port Mount in the Ferrargunj block. Manager of the St. Albert`s College (Autonomous) Rev. Dr. Antony Thoppil delivered the keynote address and emphasised on the importance of science and how it can be used for the welfare of the community. Afterwards, the workshop has begun and resource persons demonstrated the methods to make soap, detergent, pain balm, lotion etc. Resource persons explained what kinds of raw materials are required, how much materials should be used to make a product, what precautions should be taken while making these products. It will lead to development of Self Help Group for the employment of the people especially women from the villages. IGNOU Assistant Regional Director and UBA programme Co-ordinator Dr. Uday Kumar delivered the Vote of Thanks and expressed gratitude to Pradhan Chouldari Panchayat Ms. Tapasi Saha and resource persons from the St. Albert`s College (Autonomous), Ernakulam, Kochi, Kerala.