Objectives of the Practice: The practice focuses on inculcating environmental awareness, responsibility and the development of love for nature among local school students. This is achieved by providing an opportunity to local school students for real-life exposure to science laboratories, biological specimens and scientific techniques as well as through observation of flora, suitably guided by Faculty Members. Similar drives are also undertaken to infuse interest in space through organisation of “Sky Observation Workshop”. The expected outcome: • To inculcate scientific inquisitiveness in school students through laboratory visits • To promote environmental awareness through observation of flora • To infuse interest in space through “Sky Observation Workshop” The Context: Khejuri College is located in a remote rural area where most of the students are first generation learners. The college deems it to be its social responsibility to promote environmental awareness, scientific temper and love for nature amongst its students. In order to achieve this aim, the college frequently organizes seminars, webinars and special talks which focus on environmental and ecological issues. Further, the College NSS volunteers engage in tree plantation, campus and locality cleaning drives as well as awareness campaigns. Environment based projects are part of the curriculum. However, there are some schools in the vicinity of the College where laboratory facilities are not optimal. The students of these schools often lack access to engaging scientific demonstrations. The College endeavours to include several such schools located in its vicinity to be part of programmes conducted by the college related to environmental awareness and promotion of scientific temper. The Practice: The activity of “loving and protecting environment” cannot be merely confined to the college campus. Promotion of environmental awareness, scientific inquisitiveness and love for nature can only be successful if a proper scientific aptitude is inculcated in young minds at a tender age. Over the years the College has realised that disseminating environmental awareness, scientific inquisitiveness and love of nature beyond the College Campus will raise the Academic output of the College as it will provide an enriched catchment area for scientific explorations in the local community. To achieve this lofty aim, the College has adopted the following practices of disseminating its message of environmental awareness, scientific inquisitiveness and love of nature: • College initiates drive to interconnect local schools for scientific aptitude development through science laboratory visits ensuring hands-on experience and acquaintance of biological samples, scientific equipment, posters and models. The pictures of text books become real when local school students come and visit the laboratories of the Departments of Aquaculture Management and Zoology. The Faculty Members of the College acquaint the school students with the fascinating world of science. • The Khejuri College Campus has a variety of tree species. The school students are made aware of the floristic diversity of the campus by the Faculty Members of the College. Not only are they informed about the characteristics of significant plant species but they are informed about the importance of tree planting and the various means of ecological preservation. In the campus, an African Baobab tree has become a centre of attraction for nature lovers. A deep bonding with nature is inculcated among students through this enriching experience. • Unravelling the mystery of space is another drive taken by the College to stimulate interest among the students about space. The programme was organized by the Geography Department of the college in collaboration with Ujan Welfare Trust. • Celebration of “National Science Day” with college and local school students is another endeavour undertaken by the College to encourage scientific temper. Scientific inquisitiveness is ignited amongst local school students through lectures delivered by experts as well as through poster presentations by College Students. This also leads to an interaction between College and School students, hence strengthening the network of knowledge in the local community. Evidence of Success: The efforts undertaken to disseminate environmental awareness, scientific inquisitiveness and love for nature among school students of the vicinity have been appreciated by the school authorities. Success can also be assessed from the increasing interest among students for attending such programmes. It is expected that this drive would be bringing a change in their intellectual world with good career opportunities. Further, the College also complements its efforts among school students with similar drives among the adult population. For example, in the Add-on Course on “Advanced Technology for Smart Agriculture: Cropping, Prevention and Trading”, organised from 22nd to 28th June 2022, members of the local community were allowed to participate and they were made aware of ecologically beneficial methods of agriculture. Problems Encountered and Resources Required: The pursuit of drives for disseminating environmental awareness, scientific inquisitiveness and love for nature in a remote area often encounters usual logistical obstacles. Resource Persons and Experts are sometimes difficult to access. Moreover, though the College continues to encourage scientific pursuit amongst the local people, relatively higher fees of Science Programmes often discourage students from pursuing such Programmes in Higher Studies. This needs both counselling of the parents as well as an improvement of the socioeconomic condition of the families. College also could perform in a better way if adequate resources and grants were provided.

Objectives of the Practice:Bratachari is a comprehensive programme of physical, mental, and intellectual culture based on folk traditions through physical exercise, art, dance, drama, music, singing and social service. Khejuri College periodically organizes Bratachari Camp at the Campus which is held for about ten days. Moreover, the College encourages students to practice Bratachari and display their performance at various arena. The expected outcome • To inculcate discipline, nationalism and universal brotherhood through practice of Bratachari • To develop physical, mental and intellectual capacities of students through periodical organisation of Bratachari Camps • To disseminate the message of harmony and physical culture through Bratachari performances by students The Context:“Bratachari” can be called a social movement in the context of colonial British rule in India. In 1940, “Bratachari” was established by Gurusaday Dutta in Joka area of Thakurpukur in South-24-Parganas district of Bengal. "Brata" signifies a solemn objective, pursued as a joyous rhythmic ritual simultaneously through an integrated use of thought, word, and physical movement. "Chari" denotes one who pursues a purpose, ideal or objective. The word “Bratachari” thus denotes one who has solemnly undertaken the duty of developing his or her life through the systematic and integrated pursuit of bratas. The transformation of India in the post globalization context, has brought about accelerated change in sociocultural practices. Anomie, alienation and frustration have increasingly gripped Indian youth. As Bratachari is rooted in indigenous folk traditions of Bengal and offers a fostering of physical and mental capabilities, it is an extremely beneficial practice in the present scenario. The Practice: According to Gurusaday Dutta, life itself should be regarded as a Brata and should be pursued as a complete whole and as an integrated ritual, inspired by a noble purpose which is at once spiritual and practical. The single Brata or solemn purpose and ritual of life is divided into five bratas representing a five-fold path for complete realisation of life which, however, must be pursued simultaneously and not in separate compartments. The five bratas are: Knowledge, Labour, Truth, Unity and Joy. Therefore, the ultimate goal of a Bratachari is the attainment of the ideal of the complete man by attaining perfection in self-development in all spheres of life– physical, mental, moral and social. • Khejuri College encourages all College students to participate in Bratachari as it seeks to create a nationwide discipline of common citizenship irrespective of class, creed, gender or other social markers. This is to be achieved by developing an ethical disposition, physical fitness in ideal and practice, the pursuit of constructive work, an observance of the dignity of labour and a joyous community spirit through common participation in dances and songs. Through Bratachari movement, Dutta revived different martial dances like Raibenshe, Dhali and other folk songs. Thus, through exploration of indigenous cultural traditions and knowledge systems, Bratachari establishes a sense of elevated nationalism and universal brotherhood. The College encourages students to inculcate these values. • Khejuri College periodically organizes Bratachari Camp. Many college students participate in the Camp which generally lasts for ten days. At present, experts from “Bishwa Bhuvaner Bratachari” organizes the Camp in the College premises. In the camp, not only are the students trained through physical exercises, they also engage in learning songs and dances thereby enriching their involvement in cultural and community practices. All participating students are provided Certificates at the successful completion of the Camp. • The College encourages students to perform Bratachari in programmes held at the College campus and beyond. The College students have spread awareness about Bratachari in local schools like Baratala Gramsangha Vidyaniketan. Further, some students are teaching Bratachari to young children in their locality. This not only helps in disseminating the cherished values of Bratachari but also strengthens the bond between students and community. Evidence of Success:Every year under the supervision of experts invited from outside, the Physical Education Department organizes Bratachari camp for the students of this college. Though it is organized by the Department of Physical Education, students from all sixteen departments are allowed to take part in the camp. In the camp both exercise and theoretical classes are organized. On the final day of the Camp, the students exhibit their skills for the entire College in a vivid Programme. For successful completion, each student is given a certificate. The success of the inculcating Bratachari among College students is reflected not only in the performances of the students but also in the enhanced discipline in the College campus. Many students also pursue to join the Army and their stint with Bratachari enables the manifestation of positive moral and patriotic values. Problems Encountered and Resources Required: Socio-cultural scenario of rural West Bengal is rapidly changing for which it is becoming difficult to get trained Bratachari trainers. Special counseling is required to arouse interest among the students. Under the CBCS Curriculum, it is problematic to find time for training camp. During the college hours, accommodation of classroom for Bratachari classes is often a challenge. Moreover, the studentswho join the Camp are exonerated from attending regular classes and hence have to catch up with the rest of the class. In addition, the financial constraints in arranging Bratachari Camp and activities often pose a challenge and it would be helpful to receive assistance in this regard. Nevertheless, the College is determined to carry on with the organization of such Camps in the future.