Best Practices

Janani – A step Towards a Greener Horizon: The environmental conservation activities of the college have been operated in strict accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals and rapidly changing climatic conditions. The College has its own unique programmes in the name of Harithapadam,Vidyavanam, Chaithanya Saveri and Prashudhi.

Report on JANANI

Objectives:

• To generate awareness among the college community regarding the importance of leaving the beauty, bliss & bounty of nature to the future generations.
• To establish environmental footprints in all their operations.
• To equip the students to act as the ambassadors for ecological preservation and conservation

Context:

Today, the human race is currently undergoing the threat of a triple planetary crisis -that are climate change, biodiversity loss & pollution. These intertwined challenges are harming the well-being & survival of millions of people around the world and jeopardizing the sustainable development goals. We need urgent & determined action from everyone & everywhere to preserve the ecosystem.

The Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN addressed this grave issue & aimed at improving the planet and the quality of human life around the world. Mahatma Gandhi University also carries on the momentum generated by United Nations Organization’s Sustainable Development Goals with several ambitious projects, initiatives and programmes.  In the area of curriculum with a view to generate environmental consciousness among the students, a compulsory course has been added into all courses within the University Departments and affiliated colleges. From 2017 onwards, degree courses of our college are strictly following the newly added curriculum and each departments having a course on environmental history, ecology, environment and human rights. Apart from this, to enrich the curriculum numerous action-oriented programmes were organised to equip the younger generations to be the vanguards of protecting our planet and ecology. At this juncture special mention to be made regarding the novel initiative “Jaivam2017“, where the NSS volunteers of the Mar Thoma College for Women actively took part.  Jaivam 2017, a massive organic farming campaign, acted as an eye opener to the crucial challenges prevailing in Kerala’s agricultural sector and to adopt organic practices to enrich the soil and preserve the environment for generations to come.

At this juncture, The Mar Thoma college for women moves forward to lead by example to establish environmental footprints in all their operations. The authorities of this institution internalised the concept of being with nature, and felt that it allows the students to tune into the infinite wisdom of their highest self. This self-knowledge will move them into the uncharted dimensions of their personal power.

Marthoman Care, a continuing initiative of Mar Thoma College for Women includes    three important components & heads Snehasparsham, Snehasanthwanam and  Snehasarvada.

The Social welfare activities of the institution, mainly centred on caring economically backward students through noon meal scheme (Snehasparsham), rebuilding and renovating the houses destroyed by the massive floods etc, extending financial support to the medical emergencies of students & staffs (Snehasanthwanam), initiative for giving free skill training to the students who were not financially sound and socially marginalized (Snehasarvada)

Report on MarThoman Care

Objectives

• To inculcate social responsibility among students and staffs thereby creating a better learning environment in the institution
• To empower and assist the women coming from socially marginalized sections to continue their education without any mental agony
• Empowering women with skill and practical training programmes
• To make the campus more inclusive and holistic in nature

Context 

Marthoman Care was a novel idea to extend holistic care to the students/staff that comes from economically backward sections. The scheme works in three realms:

Snehasparsham: Noon Meal Scheme: Faculties and staff of the college very often noticed that many of our students were not carrying their daily meals due to severe economic problems at home. The detailed discussions with these students and their friends pointed out the urgent need for initiating a programme to eradicate hunger within the campus. Earlier individual faculty members and staffs helped many students to get their noon meals. Snehasparham, an initiative envisaged to provide free meals to the needy students to improve their nutritional intake and promote regular attendance and vibrancy in the campus was initiated in the year 2017 and continuing till this date. The resources for the above scheme have been shared by the management, teaching and non-teaching staff through regular financial contributions.

Snehasanthwanam: Fundraising for medical emergencies and rebuilding home: One of the serious concerns of the college community was the severe economic crisis faced by our students, non-teaching and temporary laborers during the time of medical emergency. The fundraising for medical aid (Snehasanthwanam) ensures that medical aid is accessible and inclusive to all students. This can include immediate assistance for accidents, sudden illnesses, or any other medical emergencies that may occur on campus or outside the campus. Apart from this, financial aid is provided to students and temporary staff to rebuild the dilapidated houses. These programs often rely on donations from faculties, management and non –teaching staff of our college. The institution visualizes that having a safe and stable home is a crucial first step towards addressing all other challenges.

Snehasarvada: Free Skill Training: To equip the students coming from socially moderate regions to face the competitive society and life conditions, the institution has given free training in career advancement, soft skill, business management, financial literacy, marketing, and networking. By equipping women with valuable skills, they can enhance their employability, economic independence and skills necessary to start and manage their own businesses. Skill training programs often incorporate leadership and professional development components to help women students to build essential skills for career advancement.