Amrita Students Join Communities Near Ram Sethu for Rural Engagement and Ocean Farming

Named in honour of Lord Rama’s legendary bridge to Lanka, Sethu Rural Camp 2025 is bringing together MSW and Integrated MSW students in a unique initiative that blends learning, service, and sustainability. Taking place near the historic Ram Sethu, the camp symbolizes the building of bridges—of trust, compassion, and understanding—between students and the communities they serve.

Villages Covered: Munaikad | Olaikuda | Sambai | Vadakadu

Activities So Far:

• Household surveys and awareness sessions
• Transect walks and village mapping
• Community engagement and rapport building

Upcoming Initiatives

• Clean-up drives
• Seagrass restoration
• Continued support for women’s empowerment and sustainable livelihoods

Through AMMACHI Labs’ Ocean Farming projects in seaweed cultivation, seagrass restoration, and women’s empowerment, villagers are gaining valuable skills, knowledge, and opportunities for economic growth. Meanwhile, students are developing exposure, awareness, and empathy—qualities that shape them into socially conscious professionals.

“This is a living, reciprocal exchange,” said the program coordinators. “Communities benefit through capacity building and economic opportunities, while students gain transformative learning experiences that will stay with them for life.”

The Ocean Farming initiatives are spearheaded by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in partnership with Transworld, the GEF Small Grants Programme Operational Phase 7, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, and TERI – The Energy and Resources Institute.

By weaving together traditional wisdom, community engagement, and sustainable practices, Sethu Rural Camp 2025 is setting an example of how academic learning can meet grassroots action for a more compassionate and resilient future