SLS RURAL INTERNSHIP
2016 - 17
their life. For many it was a joy to actually pluck vegetables from the farm and
cook themselves the way those living in huts do. The students had to help the
villagers in their daily chores at home and in farms and markets among various
other things. A number of eld trips and interactions were scheduled for the
students during their internship.
Theme RI-2016
This year the focus was on four important factors during the internship. These
were, Sustainable living in Household, Education, Infrastructure, and Agriculture.
The internship was modeled around exposing students broadly to work related to
these areas. These areas were further divided into subareas; like learning in
infrastructure which included roads, electricity and drinking water. Similarly,
hygiene is a big part of rural health which was observed. The aim of the internship
was to bring together the experiences of all 113 students and categorize them
into these four areas. Students learnt from the best practices in the hinterland and
remote areas of Ratanpur and Virampur. For this they had to decipher and note
down key innovations and practices suitable to communities living in those areas.
Education
Students while on visit to schools during their internship were encouraged to look
at curriculum, teaching procedures, and examination pattern that are used in
these institutions. Having a proper knowledge of the process of learning enabled
them to better acquaint themselves with the best practices in these schools.
Agriculture
Being the primary occupation in the area, the scope for learning in this area was
immense for students. As a rule, students were made to understand nuances like
soil prole, irrigation habits and other local adaptations to survive the arid nature
of the climate. Students were encouraged to seek inputs from experienced
cultivators and village elders about weather prediction models, and soil rotation
policies and other innovative practices followed in the region. Local folklore is a
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