Best Practices

• › Create awareness about organic farming and its benefits.
• › Connect and develop rapport with farmers of neighboring villages.
• › Provide first-hand experience of growing organic food grains and millets.
• › Encourage students and public to use organic products.
• › Develop entrepreneurial skills in buying/selling organic food products.
• › Inspire students through certificate courses and expert guest lectures.

Rani Parvati Devi College, committed to the land and people of Belagavi, recognized the adverse health impacts of chemical-based high-yield farming on the present generation. The institute initiated awareness among staff and students about organically grown food grains and pulses to promote healthier food habits.

Initiated in 2017–18 through the Youth Red Cross Wing, the Annabrahma Programme has three core functions: orientation on organic farming, community involvement, and entrepreneurial skill development. Activities include expert lectures, a 30-hour certificate course on Organic Farming, field visits to Mutaga and Gundenatti villages, and a monthly organic market held on the first Tuesday of every month on campus. Every February, YRC organizes the inter-collegiate ANNABRAHMA Rice Festival.

• Students changed food habits and gained marketing skills through experiential learning.
• Field visits helped build rapport with the farming community and expose students to rural India.
• Monthly market provided fair revenue and new marketing channels for farmers.
• Surrounding community adopted organic food grains as a habit.
• Programme had a positive impact on all stakeholders involved.

• City students influenced by fast food culture — overcome through regular orientation activities.
• High price of organic products posed a barrier for buyers.
• COVID-19 disrupted field visits — supply chain maintained by following government SOPs.

• › Instill pride and sensitize students about the built heritage of Belagavi.
• › Create awareness about India's rich cultural heritage.
• › Inculcate belongingness towards monuments and cultural patriotism.
• › Interact with local people and government agencies for restoration.
• › Assist the Archaeological Survey of India in identifying heritage centers.

Belagavi, with a historicity of over 2000 years, is home to rich heritage monuments from various dynasties. RPD College, itself a part of this heritage, launched the "Save Historical Heritage" programme through the Department of History over 15 years ago, aligned with NEP 2014 and the Ministry of Culture's Swachha Smarak Abhiyan mission.

Students from the History Department along with NSS, YRC, and Scouts & Guides volunteers visit monuments near Belagavi annually. They clear debris, clean monuments, restore scattered parts of temples, and clear weeds. The college also organizes Heritage Walks, Museum visits, study tours to World Heritage Sites, and heritage exhibitions, quizzes, and cultural fests.

• Heritage awareness boosted learning experiences and cultural tolerance.
• Visited sites like Gokak Falls became tourist attractions, benefiting local economies.
• Localities became more aware and cooperative in preserving historical sites.
• State government and ASI officials renovated sites after programme drew attention to them.
• Promoted institution–community partnerships and fulfilled Institution Social Responsibility (ISR).

• Convincing local villagers who are possessive and superstitious about monuments.
• Gaining cooperation from village Panchayats and headmen for preservation work.
• Risk of injury, snake bites, etc., during on-site debris-clearing and restoration tasks.