An experience of rural life for urban students under government’s ‘Gramanubhava’

Students participating in Gramanubhava, an initiative aimed at familiarising the urban children with rural life, in Mysuru on Sunday.

In an initiative aimed at familiarising the urban children with rural life, Department of School Education has come out with a first-of-its-kind initiative called Gramanubhava (Experiencing Rural Life).

Of 160 schools and PU colleges identified in the city limits of the State including 16 high schools and PU colleges within Mysuru urban limits have been selected for the implementation of this programme.

A total of 3,466 students studying in Class 9 and Class 11 from Mysuru have been identified to take part in this one day rural exposure visit which was formally flagged off by District Minister in-charge Yathindra Sidharamaiah on Sunday during the celebration of Karnataka Rajyotsava at Oval Ground Mysuru.

After the inauguration, 250 students travelled in five KSRTC buses to Bilikeri Hobli, Karimuddenahalli, Hanumanthapura, Yachanahalli and adjacent villages in Hunsur and T. Narasipura taluks.

The 6-8 hour rural exposure visit was designed to give students experience of agricultural activities, poultry farming and livestock management by allowing them to spend time with farmers. As part of the programme, each student group is required to visit at least four farms, as per the information shared by the Department of School Education, Mysuru.

The State government will bear the expenses of the visit by providing ₹500 per student under the Gramanubhava programme.

“The aim of the programme is to help students appreciate the hard work involved in farming activities and the work culture. They must know where their food comes from and recognise its importance. Such initiatives will give them first-hand exposure to rural life,” said Udaya Kumar D., Deputy Director of Public Instruction, Mysuru.

A district-level committee headed by Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Yukesh Kumar has been constituted to coordinate the programme, with officials from the departments of Education, Agriculture, Horticulture and the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).

Progressive farmers from different taluks have been identified to interact with the students and share their experience with the students.

Rural visit of all 3,466 students is likely to complete before November 14, informed by Department of Education, Mysuru.