Students of St Xavier’s College of Education interact with children from Asha Deep. Picture by Ashok Sinha

A students’ chapter of American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME) was inaugurated at the National Institute of Technology, Patna, on April 18. Aspiring techies who become members of the society, can take part in workshops organised by it all over the country for free.

NIT-Patna director Ashok De said: “The biggest advantage the institute will get after the opening of this chapter is that research activities will increase.” Sources said all major automobile manufacturers are members of the society.

The aspiring techies, who are also the members of the society, will get a soft copy of the workshops organised by it and that too at a minimal charge. Some of them might also get lucky and receive financial assistance from the society for their research projects. Experts from the society will also help the students and guide them in their research.

Law camps

Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) students had a gala time last week as various activities were in store for them.

On April 17, the varsity, in association with Axis Bank, organised a free health camp on the institute premises. Around 60 students and teachers took part in the camp, where their blood pressure and teeth were checked.

The students organised a free legal aid camp at Chakaram near Buddha Colony on April 20 for the Scheduled Caste community. Saurav Singh, a final-year student, said: “These camps are part of our academics.”

Around 300 people attending the law camp were made aware of their constitutional rights. Purshottam Kumar, another final-year student, said even after 65 years of Independence, there are people who are not aware of their rights. “It is high time that people from all walks of society, including students, should come forward in creating awareness among this deprived section,” he said.

Sport workshop

Students of AN College learnt about ball badminton, at a workshop organised by the institution in association with Bihar State Ball Badminton Association on April 17.

College secretary Chandan Kumar Bhaskar said at present, the institution does not have a ball badminton team. “But we shall constitute a team soon. Experts from the Bihar State Ball Badminton Association would train our students,” he added.

Member of Legislative Council Nawal Kishore Yadav, who is also the president of the Bihar State Ball Badminton Association, was the chief guest. He said: “Recently, the government has given jobs to five ball badminton players at the secretariat. One can earn a lot of reputation and money if he/she plays international tournaments. The best thing about ball badminton is that it is a cheap game. Unlike other games, it does not require a lot of money to buy gear for the sport.”

Yadav also told students about the history of the game. “The game originated in Tamil Nadu and in its initial phase, it was more popular in rural parts of the country .The Ball Badminton Federation of India was formed in 1954. It was among the first three sports association in India.”

Social work

Students of St Xavier’s College of Education spent the whole day with the children of Asha Deep (a rehabilitation centre for the physically and mentally challenged children) on April 22. The Xaverians played with the special children.

“Every year we make it a point to bring our new batch of BEd students to Asha Deep so that they can get an experience of working with the gifted children. I believe it is our moral duty to take care of these children,” said Thomas Perumalil, the principal of the college.

Chandan Kumar, a student who visited Asha Deep, said: “I don’t know how to express what I felt while interacting with the children.”

Cutting-edge help

Sri Arvind Mahila College is teaching its teachers to use projectors and improve the quality of classes.

On April 22, the college held a workshop in which teachers were told about techniques of using projectors. They were also taught about using computers. “The knowledge of computers has become much important for teachers as well as students these days, especially for those who have to make projects. Using projectors in classrooms can be very helpful for teachers. Projectors are also small enough to be mounted in classrooms or moved from one place to another,” said Asha Singh, the principal of the college.