GNDU volunteers chip in with relief ops

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief spokesperson and MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal has written to Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) Vice-Chancellor to conduct a social and economic survey of the flood-hit border areas.

The move comes as district administration undertakes massive rehabilitation and rebuilding work with the help of NGOs, volunteers and social organisations after the floods ravaged Ajnala and Ramdas.

The border belt with its own set of challenges has limited infrastructure and the scope of employment remains limited.

While Dhaliwal has expressed Guru Nanak Dev University’s collaboration and active participation in drawing a blueprint for these already economically weak and socially fragile belt, the university has already been working on ground with relief and rehabilitation efforts in three flood-affected Ajnala villages.

The university, through its departments of sociology, economics, social work and NCC has been leading this initiative. The National Service Scheme (NSS) unit of Guru Nanak Dev University organised a medical camp at Gaggar village today and have been visiting the villagers for medical relief and rebuilding work.

NSS coordinator Dr Balbir Singh said during the outreach programme, volunteers distributed essential medicines and interacted with the villagers to address their health-related concerns. The medical team also spread awareness about preventive healthcare and hygiene practices.

Harkirandeep Kaur, a faculty from Department of Law, GNDU, has been leading the ground survey at Gaggar village. “We have carried out door-to-door survey to know the immediate needs of the villagers. They require winter clothing, bedding and financial help to pay school fee. Most of the men have been sans employment. So, sustainable income is one of the major concerns in the area, since farming or tilling the land is not possible at present,” she said.

“The village has a majority of people who have converted or belong to backward class. Even residents’ social and economic needs differ. Thus, accessibility to relief and rehabilitation and returning to livelihood requires inclusive plan,” she added.

The NSS and NCC teams of the university plan to conduct seven-day camp at affected villages.

Vice-Chancellor Dr Karamjit Singh said, “Guru Nanak Dev University has always believed in connecting education with social responsibility. Such initiatives strengthen our students’ understanding of real-life challenges and nurture a spirit of empathy and service. We encourages all departments to participate in community-oriented programmes that foster social awareness and collective well-being.” He added that the university would continue to make concerted efforts for the holistic development of the adopted village and motivate border area students to pursue the 53 vocational and skill-based courses offered by GNDU to make them self-reliant.

Meanwhile, NGOs pushing for rebuilding of homes destroyed in floods are worried about the pace of work.