” Rural Living and Learning Experience 2018 – Working at the Grassroots” at Xavier University

Bhubaneswar: Rural Living and Learning Experience Fair: The Xavier School of Rural Management organized their annual rural fair “Rural Living and Learning Experience Mela” on 18th January,2018. The primary objective of the Rural Living and Learning Experience (RLLE) was-“Working at the Grassroots”.
The future rural managers of Xavier School of Rural Management showcased the learnings that they gained during their stay at various parts of the country. Through the ‘Rural Living and Learning Experience’ programme they gained exposure to the real rural business environment and insights into the applications of their course, Rural Management. The exhibits at the mela comprised of the specialties of the place that the students have been to including artifacts, clothing, unique ornaments and eateries, their experience of rural culture, their means of support, governance and business during their 45-day stay at rural areas representing different cultures. Around 91 students had participated in the programme between November 26 and January 14th. The Xavier University associated with twenty organizations all over India such as Tata Trust, Manjari Sansthan Nainwa, Society for Rural Integrated and Youth Association – SRIYA, Mahatma Gandhi Integrated Development and Educational Institute, etc. This experience is designed to help the students get a closer look into the rural life. This will help in calculating the scope of rural managers.
A live performance was put up by the students and the script was based on the theme “Lets Make India Open-Defecation Free” which replicated the issues that rural areas encounter and need to overcome to prevent the spreading of diseases due to open defecation. The students visited Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and various remote places in Odisha to gain an on-field experience of the rural livelihood. “I learned a lot of things and it was a completely new experience. I have resolved to work for the development of the rural sector,” said Deepak Kumar, a first year student. Another participant Dravid Fernando described his experience by saying, “If one asks for peace, I would suggest first mother’s lap, second deep sea diving and third Auroville! My experience has been life changing.”