THEY CAME in hordes motivated to prove the point: It is possible to overcome all barriers of class, creed, post and status to be responsible citizens and join hands for a social cause.
The faculty members, freshers along with current students of Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT) led by their Director Prof Arun Baran Samaddar started a new tradition of community service on the campus this Sunday morning.
Together for over an hour they weeded out the hazardous Parthenium grass, also known as Congress or Gazar Grass, spreading unabated on the Deemed University premises under a new initiative of the MNNIT director. On the very first day they managed to clear around 10,000 square feet near the institute's sports field of the weed.
The drive is unique in the sense that it will also mark the beginning of community service programmes at MNNIT and has been kicked-off in a bid to check ragging menace and motivate both seniors and freshers to utilise their energies in creative and productive endeavours.
"We have decided to organise the drive regularly on the campus and involve everyone including faculty members, freshers and senior students in it. We hope that this will not only facilitate better communication and co-ordination among freshers, faculty members and students, but also make them responsible citizens," said Prof AB Samaddar.
{{/usCountry}}"We have decided to organise the drive regularly on the campus and involve everyone including faculty members, freshers and senior students in it. We hope that this will not only facilitate better communication and co-ordination among freshers, faculty members and students, but also make them responsible citizens," said Prof AB Samaddar.
{{/usCountry}}He informed that the drive will initially be carried out near the MNNIT main building and thereafter would be extended to other departments and hostel premises.
The drive also holds importance as Parthenium is harmful weed which can cause serious skin disorders among the people. The cases of asthma and respiratory problems are also caused by spreading of pollen of this grass.
A number of faculty members including Chief Proctor Prof Rakesh Narain and in-charge of the drive Dr RP Vaish were present on the
occasion.