India K4C Hub (Dayalbagh)
LOCATION
Dayalbagh Educational Institute (Deemed to be University), Dayalbagh, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
PARTNERS
Life Long Learning & Extension Activities, Nagar Panchayat, Dayalbagh, Agra
DESCRIPTION
The Dayalbagh Educational Institute (Deemed to be University) is situated amidst the tranquil environs of Dayalbagh, a self-contained colony renowned for its serene environment and secular establishment, in which its inhabitants lead an active, disciplined, and cooperative community life, conforming to the high spiritual ideals of their faith. On the outskirts of the historic city of Agra, the campus is situated in idyllic surroundings, away from the din and noise of the city. Nestled between lush green fields, it provides an excellent academic setting that is in harmony with nature.
The Institute has innovative and comprehensive education which inculcates the dignity of labour and encourages initiative and creative work. Working towards a sustainable world DEI has always advocated and is practicing ‘Excellence with Social Relevance.’ Research and technological advancement benefitting the immediate social fabric are common to the community of DEI. Mostly the research focus has been on developing methods, procedures, or technologies that are customized for Indian societies that are cost-effective to ensure equal penetration at every social level aiming at the overall enhancement of the quality of life of the masses.
The Institute is actively engaged in outreach activities. The philosophy of DEI’s outreach program which represents a major social service initiative of the University embodies the following broad-based objectives:
- To provide need-based education: enhancing the employability of persons who are educated but not finding employment or who have lost employment; and also enhancing the employability of uneducated/undereducated youth.
- To target geographically remote and backward areas with vocational training programs.
- To offer education on a no-profit basis.
- To remain aligned with the National Programme for uplifting underprivileged and backward societies and empowering women.
- To inculcate Indian culture and values in youth through specialized programs.
The Dayalbagh Hub was formally established to accomplish the objective of Reaching The last, The least, The lowest, and The lost. In order to significantly contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, it aspires to promote social responsibility and increase community participation. To achieve this goal, The Dayalbagh Hub acknowledges the value of Community-based participatory research (CBPR) which is in line with the Institute’s various interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary research areas. These research fields provide comprehensive platforms for studying issues from a multi-specialty and systems perspective. Therefore, The Dayalbagh Hub aspires to encourage and enhance staff, students, and community members’ understanding of CBPR. It will make efforts to integrate CBPR methodologies in the academic courses of different programs across the Institute.
Among various initiatives, the DEI contributes remarkably by organizing free integrated medical and rural assistance camps and the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, a flagship program of the Ministry of Human Resource Development. These programs intend to enrich rural India and improve the beneficiaries’ quality of life. Skills are being honed by entrepreneurial and skill-building initiatives in both the nearby communities and distant and tribal locations. The Institute’s sewage, water, and air treatment facilities have benefited the entire community, and it is also assisting the administration in restoring the clean river, Yamuna. Different departments at DEI collaborate with the locals, administration, and stakeholders to carry out these sustainable actions. Research with the CBPR approach will indeed assist in assessing the initiatives and resolving problems of society by bringing their perspectives to the forefront.
MENTORS
Dr. Sona Dixit- Department of Foundations of Education, DEI. e-mail: sonadixitdei@gmail.com
Prof. Rupali Satsangi- Department of Economics, DEI. e-mail: rupali22dei@gmail.com
Prof. Jyoti Gogia- Department of Economics, DEI. e-mail: jyotigogia@dei.ac.in
Community Engagement and Social Responsibility
A Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) by Prof. Akshay Kumar Satsangi, DEI
The course highlights the contribution of social networking as a bridge between the various government schemes and the people of India. Sensitivity towards the environment and education, safety and energy, and enthusiasm towards physical, mental, and spiritual health along with simple living and high thinking have been explained. The course also outlines the benefits of community engagement through research and innovation. Students will be able to understand the various problems of any community and the possible ways to address the same.
The web link for the course is: https://onlinecourses.swayam2.ac.in/ugc23_ge04/preview
Community Development Projects: DEI Initiatives
- A Free Integrated Medical and Rural Assistance Camp
A Free Integrated Medical and Rural Assistance Camp is being organized every Sunday to facilitate the underprivileged children, men, and women of the neighbouring rural community with varied services by the staff, students, and doctors of Dayalbagh Educational Institute (DEI) in association with the Dayalbagh Community. The following activities are the focal points of the camp-
- Medical consultations
- Agricultural Counselling
- Children’s awareness, development, and recreation activities.
- Children’s literacy and language development
- Basic knowledge/ computer skills through the Hole-in-the-Wall program
- Generating awareness regarding health, hygiene, sanitation, and the environment
- Engaging them in physical and cognitive games
- Providing a nutritious diet for well-being.
- Women’s training and skill development activities.
- Preservation of Indian Culture
- Restoration and Rejuvenation of River Yamuna
Cleaning the bank of river Yamuna and restoring the course of the flow of the river at Baikunth Dham, Poiya Ghat, Dayalbagh, Agra is a significant effort made by the Dayalbagh Community in association with Dayalbagh Educational Institute. With immense enthusiasm, the Dayalbagh community members and DEI staff, and students are participating in this noble mission. Steps towards nurturing and preserving the environment and protecting wildlife include leveling and cleaning the river bank and its environment, as well as trying to make the river bank greener by planting a variety of trees. An international workshop on the issue of rejuvenation and revival of the Yamuna River and how to increase the quantity and flow of its water was organized on May 4, 2023.
Efforts towards a cleaner and greener Yamuna river bank and surroundings
Skill-based training for rural and tribal women
For the upliftment of the underprivileged and backward societies, to empower women, and to ensure their participation in the workforce, the 
DEI is conducting various skill-based training activities in the rural and tribal areas (Rajaborari and Timarni Madhya Pradesh). DEI provides raw material, infrastructure, and financial support on one side, it also supports selling the produced. Trained women, further support in providing training to others. It motivates women to develop life skills that lead to better livelihoods and economic independence. It will also ensure a gender-balanced workforce.
CONTACT DETAILS OF THE HUB COORDINATOR
Prof. (Ms.) Jyoti Gogia, Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Dayalbagh Educational Institute (Deemed to be University), Dayalbagh, Agra- 282005, Uttar Pradesh, India.
e-mail: jyotigogia@dei.ac.in