Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, RCI IITD Orientation Program
Capacity-Building Program on Indian Spiritual Values for UBA Trainers
13th October 2023
Dr. Anupam Dalal (PI), Dronacharya College of Engineering, Gurugram attended the ‘Capacity-Building Program on Indian Spiritual Values for UBA Trainers’, organized by Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) at RCI IITD on 13th October, 2023.
The program commenced with an inspiring address by Sh. Varun Vidhyarthi, who continued the thread of discussion from the orientation program held on 21st February, 2023. He eloquently highlighted the profound connection between Indian spiritual values and rural upliftment and emphasized how these values, deeply rooted in our culture and heritage, can foster a spirit of community engagement, selflessness, and collective well-being, all of which are essential elements for achieving sustainable rural development.
Sh. Vidhyarthi's insights were particularly valuable as he drew upon his own experiences in working with rural communities to illustrate the practical application of Indian spiritual values. He emphasized the importance of understanding the local context and respecting the unique traditions and beliefs of communities, while also gently guiding them towards adopting values that promote sustainable development.
The program then delved into specific strategies for incorporating Indian spiritual values into UBA trainers. The presenters shared practical techniques for weaving these values into lesson plans, activities, and interactions with community members. They emphasized the importance of experiential learning and creating a conducive environment where values could be internalized and practiced.
The program also addressed the critical issue of program convergence and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The speakers underscored the need to ensure that UBA's initiatives contribute to achieving global sustainability goals, and also provided valuable guidance on how to align UBA's activities with the SDGs.
Throughout the program, there was a strong emphasis on the power of community participation. The speakers highlighted the importance of mobilizing communities and fostering active engagement in development efforts. They shared techniques for facilitating collaborative problem-solving, decision-making, and resource mobilization, essential for empowering communities to take ownership of their development journey.
The program was immensely valuable. It provided the PIs with fresh perspectives on the role of Indian spiritual values in rural development and equipped them with practical strategies to incorporate the values into the training programs.
The programme concluded with vote of thanks by Prof. (Dr.) V Kumar Vijay (National Coordinator of RCI IIT Delhi.)