CU to provide education, health aid to slum students

Kolkata: In a significant stride towards community service, the Calcutta University (CU) on Monday decided to provide education and health support to students of a slum in the city. The decision was taken at the syndicate meeting which is the highest decision making body of the university on Monday.

A slum located on Giri Babu Lane in Bowbazar area in Central Kolkata has been selected for the project after officials of the varsity has made a survey on the slum and found out that many young boys and girls who have been studying in schools are finding it difficult to continue with their education because of financial constraints.

"We will provide them with support in education, healthcare, give dresses twice in a year and food twice in a week," CU Vice-Chancellor Sonali Chakravarti Banerjee said adding that they will also be taken on an excursion once in a year.

The university will form a special team with its students who will be involved in this community service. However, the selection process will involve an interview. Four students will be selected and will be given an amount of Rs 2000 each.

"They will be teaching the students in the slum and have a stock of their requirements and will report to the university from time to time so that action can be taken," a syndicate member said. Students pursuing M. Phil or PhD will be part of the project.

It may be mentioned that the varsity has also selected a school in the area where classes will be taken for these students after 12 noon. "We have also planned to impart computer training to these students," the official added.

"We are an institute imparting higher education. So, we feel that we need to make our presence felt in community service. There are so many children who have a knack for studies but cannot pursue it because of various factors," the Vice-Chancellor said.

However, the university is yet to decide on how many students in the slum can be brought in this ambit. The expenses will be entirely borne from the varsity's own funds .

Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academics) Dipak Kar has already visited the slum. The entire project will be monitored by Kar.