Best Practice (i)

1. Title of the Practice

Sustainable Practices for Clean and Green Campus

2. Objectives of the Practice

To minimize the use of hardcore stationeries.

To avoid the use of plastics and promote eco-friendly materials.

To extend the green cover and campus biodiversity.

To prevent the pollution and improve waste treatment.

To improve the ground water recharge.

To provide the awareness on energy conservation and sustainable practices.

3. The Context

A clean and healthy environment helps and provides a conducive learning environment.

Minimization of resource utilization and waste generation are the major challenges in the

practice of maintaining clean and green environment. In order to achieve this,

environmental awareness and education, and sustainable green practices are the need of

the hours.

4. The Practice

Online Communication: Official communications are sent through e-email. Entrance

examinations are conducted through online. Examinations application and release results

are sent through SMS and e-mail only.

Plastic Ban: Awareness is given to avoid the use of plastics materials and to promote the

eco-friendly as clay and plant-based materials.

Green cover: The campus green cover has been extended through tree planting.

Students participation: Students and NSS volunteers are actively participated in campus

maintenance.

Water harvest: Rain water is collected through harvest pit and recharged the ground water

level.

Waste management: Solid and liquid wastes generated in the campus are properly

collected and treated.

Awareness Programme: In-campus and off-campus awareness are created among the

students and public.

Use of solar energy: Solar heater is used in students’ hostel and guest house to save the

electric current.The university has installed solar street lights in the campus.

5. Evidence of Success

The use of hardcore stationeries has been reduced by e-communication and online exams.

The usage of single use plastics has been significantly prevented and ecofriendly

materials have been increased.

Increase in campus green coverage through tree planting programme.

Documentation of campus plants and animals diversity.

Improvement in rain water collection through the harvesting pits constructed in the vicinity

of various buildings of university.

Improved source separation, collection and recycling of solid wastes.

University campus sewage is successfully treated and treated effluent is recycled for

irrigation in campus garden.

Reduction in vehicles movement and emission through dedicatedvehicle parking shed.

6. Resources Required

Continuous monitoring is required on campus waste collection, treatment, and

management for further improvement and sustainability.

More emphasis should be on energy conservation and auditing to increase the efficiency.

7. Problems Encountered

It is very challengeable to treat the chemical and hazardous wastes generated in the

laboratories.

Best Practice (ii)

1. Title of the Practice:

Creating Awareness to Rural Society

2. Objectives of the Practice:

To create awareness on health and hygiene

To create awareness on education and

To Improve Communication Skills

To create awareness and provide solutions on cleanliness and avoid plastic

To provide training programs to students, farmers and women self Help Groups

3. The Context

The quality of life of the rural society is important because they are the springs to

feed urban society and development of nation. Education and awareness can bring

significant improvement and benefits to the rural societies. It is very important to

adapt the villages to provide education and making them to understand the key issues

of sustainable development. To bring improvement in their life and benefits to the

rural people.

4. The Practice

Creating awareness and providing training on Communication Skill Developments to

rural school children and teachers.

Regularly conducting Awareness programmes to the farmers in the rural area about

the soil health and organic farming.

Conducting training programme to rural Self-Help Groups (SHGs) on mushroom

cultivation and vermi-composting.

Creating awareness programmes on Dengue mosquito eradication at villages.

Conducting Employment training programme for Rural Youth.

Conducting Awareness programme on Plastic Free Environment, use of plant and

earthen materials, sustainable use of water and electricity.

To Create Awareness on Sustainable Development of Resources

Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals

Support communities during calamities, cyclones, dengue etc.

5. Evidence of Success

More students undertake higher education.

The youth in villages obtained higher levels of education and awareness.

More girls’ student joined higher studies and research programme – i.e. GER 64.38%

Avoid of Plastic, use of plant and earthen materials,

open defection free villages

6. Research Required

To assess the impact of solid waste management

To assess the requirements for organic produces

To evaluate food and health security of the target group

7. Problems encountered

Challenges were encountered during Calamities, during the spread of infectious

diseases.

Details on Some Best Practices by Periyar University

Improve in Communication Skills: The Department of English caters to the language needs of

the rural school children residing under the jurisdiction of Periyar University. Four middle

schools from Kullagoundanur, Saminayakanpatti, Pallakuttappatti and Karupanampatti

respectively were chosen. The I and II year Postgraduate student divided themselves into four

groups. Each group was monitored by one Assistant Professor from the Department Lessons

pertaining to the syllabi of 6th

, 7th

and 8th

standard were downloaded.

During the meeting with the respective school Headmistress, the Communicative

English/language needs of the students were noted. Accordingly the Postgraduate students with

modern/innovative aids (activity based learning methodology) got trained to cater to the

requirements of the school children. On the days planned, each group visited their respective

school. They taught the students of 6th

, 7th

and 8th

standard, the lessons from the syllabi. Apart

from that, communication skills too were imparted. The feedback received was overwhelming.

Through the activity based learning, one of the students studying in 7th

standard was able to

successfully overcome stammering. The Department has planned to continue this every year.

Unnath Bharath Abhiyan

The Department of Economics, Periyar University has undertaken “Unnath Bharath Abhiyan

(UBA)” scheme of MHRD, New Delhi, with the funded seed money of Rs. 50,000, 5 villages

viz., Koonandiyur, Vellar, Pallipatti, Virudasampatti and Veerakkal were adopted during the

year 2018 in the Mecheri Block of Salem District, Tamil Nadu. In these villages development

activities are made under the major aspects like Water Management, Industries and Livelihood,

Basic Amenities and Organic Farming respectively

Name of the

Villages

Components Objective

of practice

Context Practice Evidence of

Success

Research

Required

Problems

Encountered

Koonandiyur 1.Water

Management

2. Industries

and Livelihood

3. Basic Amenities

4. Organic Farming

To create

awareness and

practical

solutions

To improve their

basic needs and create knowledge

of all aspects in

environmental practices

Through

Awareness and Training

programmes of

students, farmers &

women self

Help Groups

1.Good

response from the

targeted

group

2. Less

disease Impact

3. Eco-friendly

environment

4. Quantum of plastic

waste

reduced

1.To assess the

impact of solid waste

management.

2. To implement

organic

produces and evaluate food

and health

security of the target group.

Good

cooperation noted with the

response of

the targeted population

Vellar

Pallipatti

Virudasampatti

Veerakkal

Note: The villagers had stopped spilling over of plastics all over the place, rather they were

collected and disposed. Even the usage of plastic was reduced in the mind set of the people.

Village Adaptation

Department of Sociology, Periyar University has adopted Sangeethapatthy

Village Panchayat in Omalur Taluk of Salem District for its overall development

under “Village Adaptation Scheme”. This village panchayat consists of eight

hamlets namely Sangeethapatty, Umaiyanur, Karatutheru, Railway line

Pudhur, Pudhu Colony (J.J.Nagar), Venayanur, Vengayanur Adidravidar

Colony and Vetrilaikaranur. As per the 2011 census, the total population of

this village panchayat is 4,061 of which 2,040 are males and 2,021 are

females. The Department of Sociology regularly organise workshops, training

programs, health camps and provide assistance for over all development of the

people especially youth in the villages. Workshop & Training programs for

students viz. “Causes and consequences of Open Defecation and Necessities of

Toilets, Motivational and Leadership Training, Skill Development, Hope Building

for Slow Learners, Significance of Social Well-being” were well received by the

villagers and they have appreciated the contribution of Periyar University in

providing “Desktop Computer - for better learning of class subjects through e-

content” besides kindling the scientific temper among students in celebrating

“National Science Day” and providing awards and medals to meritorious

projects presented by the students of Panchayat Union Middle School,

Sangeethapatty.

For the economic uplift of village youth and women Training program viz.

Short Term Embroidery Training, Mushroom Cultivation were conducted

besides health/ medical camps viz. Free Heath Camp, Free Eye Camp, Health

Awareness and Medical Screening for Adolescence Girls and Women, Effective

Functions of Self Help Groups were organised for the benefit of villagers.

Apart from these above said programmes, every fortnight the post

graduation students of sociology department visits the adopted village and

collect data on various topics like children issues, women issues, elderly

issues, status of MGNREGA workers, status of women entrepreneurs, public

hygiene and sanitation, status of SHG members, status of youth, status of

farmers and the like. Based on these data they submit the report for their

partial fulfilment of the award of the degree of post graduate degree in

Sociology. This type of field visit report submitted by the Sociology students for

first three semesters and the broad area of the first semester is „working with

individuals‟ and the broad area of the second semester is „working with groups‟

and the broad area of the third semester is „working with communities‟.

Orientation Programme on Mushroom Cultivation Social Wellbeing Programme for School Students

Sustainable Development Goals

The National Service Scheme (NSS) of Periyar University actively engage in creating awareness

on human values, provide relief material to the Cyclone affected people, celebration of humanity,

International Elders Day, eradication of untouchability among public in rural as well as urban

areas of Periyar University jurisdictions in Salem, Namakkal, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri

District.

Eradication of Untouchability: The NSS units of Periyar University has undertaken a sustained

campaign on the government initiative to achieve “eradication of untouchability and create

favorable environment to Adi Dravidar community” in this region. Apart from organizing such

camps they also cater the need of school going children in providing free notebooks, pen and

pencil to promote equality and bridging the gap between dalits and non-dalits for an egalitarian

society.

Free notebooks and pens were distributed to the students by the Registrar i/c Prof. Dr. K. Thangavel

Elders dignity: On “International Elders Day”, the NSS has invited the elders inhabited in two

of the old age homes in Salem namely Bodhimaram Old Age Home and Niraivazhvu Mudhiyor

Illam to the university campus and the student volunteers interacted with them and performed

different cultural activities along with them include songs, mimicry, mono act and dance. The

financial assistance of Rs. 10,000/- was provided to old age homes by the Vice Chancellor

towards the welfare of inhabitants besides arranging and having a lunch with them and students

on this occasion. The elderly were happy and expressed their joy while interacting with the new

generation who took an oath to take care of the elder people in the days to come.

Honourable Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. P. Kolandaival facilitating/ greeting elders

Fit India: The volunteers of the NSS Unit often extend “Shramdaan” (Voluntary labour) not

only in the campus but also in its neighborhood especially in Kottankoundanpatti Village which

is just opposite to the University Campus. The activities include creating awareness on

Cleanliness among local people and extend their help in cleaning the roadside, public utility

places and pathways leading to the village.

NSS Volunteers on action in Cleaning of Village roads and pathways

Relief material & Donation to the Cyclone affected people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala: On

the direction of Vice Chancellor, Periyar University NSS volunteers collected relief material

worth of Rs. 4 lakhs include Dhoti, Saree, Lungis, Rice, Lentils, Sugar, Sanitary Napkin etc. and

delivered it directly to the people of cyclone affected areas in Vedaranyam area of

Nagappattinam District in Tamil Nadu. Similarly the NSS units of Periyar University rose to the

occasion and extended a helping hand by collecting relief materials and donations and handed

over a cheque of Rs. 25 lakhs to the authorities for helping the victims of Kerala floods.

Flood Relief Materials were sent through trucks to affected areas

Care to Orphanage Children: Periyar University always stride to protect the welfare of youth

(next generation) in the campus by extending free boarding and lodging and waiver of fees for

the whole study period to meritorious rural students. It also extend helping hand in providing

assistance to the children in orphanages by providing free notebooks, Dictionary and geometry

boxes besides conduct of motivational talks and career guidance.