Initiated by CSA, the students of School of Law, Christ (Deemed to be University), had made a visit to a village near Kolar, funded by the University, on the 7th and 8th of December 2018. Almost 60 students, across 5 classes, were accompanied by professors, Dr. Sharmila N and Mr. Parth Sharma.

The youngsters were divided into three different groups after briefing of the rules and regulations to be followed at the village. The groups went to different villages, viz. Chintamanahalli, Nachanahalli and Yamanur, in order to get inputs on the various difficulties faced by the villagers on a daily basis:
 

2. Nachanahalli: this village is the home of District Commissioner. For the 500 villagers residing, there is, interestingly, no Panchayat. Unfortunately, the schools at the village provide education only till the 5th grade after which they will have to travel for around 2 kms. The bus service is very low, providing transportation through just 3 buses a day. There is a facility to distribute water for farming, but in order to get drinking water, one has to travel for 2 kms where a 20 litre can cost 12. The villagers got toilets built but drainage system is not good.

3. Yamanur: this is a village filled with a lot of kids going to schools and colleges but with very few toilets, mostly because they receive no funding from the government. Apparently, the government takes bribe for every work performed, be it proper drainage systems, toilets or roads. There is no bus service whatsoever, the villagers have to travel for almost 2 kms for one. A Government hospital is situated 2 kms away where the doctor is available only from 10:30 to 3:30, after which there is no medical facility whatsoever. The MLAs, as usual, make fake promises, bribe through alcohol and money, seek votes and never show up until the next elections. The panchayat is also against the villagers, taking bribes. The police station is situated far away from the village. The government employees threaten to make police complaints if the villagers do not abide. The petrol bunk is situated almost 20 kms away and due to extremely bad roads, there are frequent accidents. Electricity is provided on a 3- phase (4 hours) and a 2-phase basis. water is available but for filtered drinking water, one has to travel for 2 kms. The monthly ration is bought at a nearby town on the date of sale. There are no essential food stores available in the village, only a shop which sells junk food for the youngsters.

The students played their part in building awareness about the importance of hygiene and education. They additionally ensured that each individual learnt the repercussions of defecating in the open and of  the lack of literacy and education.

These above-mentioned villages can receive aid from Christ (Deemed to be University) in the following ways:

Day 1

1. Stationery shops in and around the village
2. Transportation facilities
3. Availability of drinking water nearby
4. Street Lights
5. Medical check-ups
6. Building of decent toilets
7. Clean drive, i.e. cleaning all the villages once a month at least in order to reduce the spread of diseases

Day 2

8. Students visited a local school with an overall strength of 20-25 students. It was a school for kids from std 1-8
9. Students were divided into 3 groups
10. Group 1 painted the boundary of the premises and drew alphabets, traffic light rules and wrote slogans such as ‘save water’ on the walls
11. Group 2 planted a few saplings and watered other plants and vegetation on the school's ground. They also cleared some wild grass and cleaned the surroundings.
12. Group 3 interacted with the children by  conducting some activities and games.

Overall, it can be said that the trip was an exceptionally viable and instructing one, through really good accommodation and assistance by the professors and village heads. The law students learnt plenty about the various hardships confronted and the fact that resources are, indeed scarce. Thus, it will be really helpful if the necessary aid is provided to these villagers to help them come out of their struggles and lead, at least, a decent life with lesser shortcomings.