BPHE’S CSRD Institute of Social Work and Research, Ahmednagar
Study tour, 28 January to 4 February 2024
DENOVO 23
At Depaul Institute of Science & Technology (DIST)
Study Tour Report
28 January 2024: Sunday: Departure from Tarakpur Bus stand to Pune Railway Station
We could manage a special bus from MSRTC depot and 34 students and the two faculty members (Vijay Sansare and myself) travelled directly to the Pune Railway station. We reached by 4.45 PM. We left for Ernakulam, by Pune Ernakulam Superfast (Train No. 22150) exactly at 6.45 PM.
29 January 2024: Monday: Reaching Ankamaly
The train got unreasonably delayed for 6 hours and we reached Thrissur at 10.45 PM instead of 4.45 PM. We travelled by KSRTC bus from Thrissur to Ankamaly. We reached Ankamaly at about 11.45 PM. The halt (Surabhi Avenue) was at a walkable distance of 500 metres and we stayed at the hotel. The students had some light dinner at the bus stand.
30 January 2024: Tuesday: DENOVO’23, the international conference
Yesterday, they had a wonderful day. We reached Depaul Institute of Science and Technolgy (DIST) by local bus from our residence at 9.30. The distance was only 3 kms. We completed the registration formalities, collected our conference kit, and attended the inaugural, plenary, concurrent and valedictory sessions. There were theme show, magic show, students’ cultural programmes and musical concert. The one day conference was over by 7 PM. Dr. Abraham Francis and Dr. Shahin A Sultana were the keynote speakers. After the plenary session, we had the concurrent sessions in 7 venues. 5 students and my self presented papers. Our paper presentations were in the second venue which was moderated by Dr. Abraham Francis. He appreciated our paper presentations and conveyed regard to CSRD. During the Theme Show competitions which was based on SDG – ‘protecting life on a finite planet’, our students presented a mime and won the second prize of Rs. 7000 in cheque. In the evening, we had the feedback session at 8.30 to 10.00 PM. During the feedback session, the performance of the committees (Discipline, Documentation and Cultural) were evaluated and the today’s duties and responsibilities were assigned. Today’s visits were explained to the students.
31 January 2024: Wednesday: Agency visits
We complete three agency visits as planned – Little Flower Hospital at 9.30 AM, Vincentian Service Society at 1.45 PM, Dept. of Social Work, DIST at 3.00 PM and. We had interaction with the social work department at Little Flower Hospital. We could interact with Fr. Thomas Valookkaran, Joint Director, Fr. Varghese Palatty, Asst. Director, Mr. Prince, HOD, Medical Social Work Dept. and Mr. John, Sr. Social Worker. We visited all the depts of the hospital including the psychiatric department. We had lunch at the hospital canteen and proceeded to Vincentian Service Society, located at the Depaul Institute of Science and Technology. There we had interaction with Fr. Dibin VC our 2012 alumnus and Fr. Joseph Srambical, the Counselor, Social Work Dept. After the visit of Vincentian Service Society, we visited the Social Work Department, DIST where Dr. John Mangalath, Principal, Dr. Norby Paul, Vice Principal, other social work faculty members and the BSW and MSW students interacted with us. The interaction with the students was very interesting and enriching.
1 February 2024: Thursday: Agency visits
We visited an old age home (St. Paul’s Priests’ Home, Edakkunnu) in the morning at 9.30 AM and interacted with Rev. Dr. Sebastian Vadakumpadan, the founder of St. Joseph Service Society and Sanjoepuram Children’s village, Faridabad. He was also the founder of Little Flower Eye Bank, Nursing college and research centre. He inspired the students with his sharing regarding the execution of mega social work projects. We visited De Paul Sssmile Rehabilitation Village, at Vettikkuzhy, at 12.30 noon. Fr. Philip VC, our alumnus welcomed us. Fr. Joji, the director addressed the students. We had lunch there. After the lunch, we visited various projects in the Sssmile village, such as, 6 homes for the homeless including recovered psychiatric patients, biogas plants, goatery, piggery, fishery farms, and agricultural experiments. We interacted with the homeless people. The village is spread over 14 acres of land and is self-supporting with own agriculture. It was an enriching experience. After the agency visits, we paid a visit to Athirappilly water falls, which was 14 kms far from SSSmile village at 4 PM. We reached back to Angamaly at 7.30 PM.
2 February 2024: Friday: Kochi visit
On 2nd February 2024 we visited Kochi covering St. George Church, Edappilly (Asia’s biggest church), Lulu Mall, Kochi Metro, Water Metro, Broadway, Subhash Park and Fort Kochi. We left at 9 AM and returned at 9 PM.
3 February 2024: Saturday: Return to Ahmednagar
On 3rd February 2024 we boarded Pune Train from Aluva at 8.30 AM. We arrived at Daund at 1.15 PM on 4th February 2024, Sunday. From there we took MSRTC to Ahmednagar. By 5 PM we arrived at Ahmednagar.