Facilitating the wholesome development of a village is not child’s play, but the Holy Cross Institute of Management and Technology in Kozhikode has made the first move in the direction by adopting a panchayat and facilitating its development.
Principal of the College Sister Shiny George said the college was adopting Kunnamangalam grama panchayat in the district and that the whole college including staff and students would be instrumental in providing certain facilities for the panchayat.
Over the last three months, students of the Holy Cross Institute conducted surveys in all the 23 wards of the panchayat analysing the needs of the local people.
The survey showed that ward number three Pilasseri was the most backward of the lot, with problems ranging from lack of good schools to anti-social elements. Following the indicators in the survey, the college will focus its attention on Pilasseri for the next three years.
Skill development
The plan is to organise vocational and skill development programmes for the villagers in spheres such as fashion, spoken English, and catering business. The intellectual power of the college will be extended to Kunnamangalam where the villagers could access the facilities available at the college. Besides these, the students of the college will organise campaigns and awareness programmes against drug abuse, for organic farming, women empowerment, protection of environment, cleanliness and sanitation and complete education.
Minister for Social Justice and Panchayats M.K. Muneer will inaugurate the comprehensive development plan for Kunnamangalam at a function to be held at 2 p.m. at Pilasseri on Saturday.
