2003-2004

This was the first regular year since the launch of REACH at LSR in August 2002 and several activities including workshops, training programmes and field trips were organised for the students.

For the year 2003-2004, three students –– Neha Chauhan, Draghima Basumatry and Sakshi Patel, were chosen for scholarships by FAEA. Vandana Yadav continued to receive her scholarship for the second year in succession. Nelza Wangmo and Rigzin Chodon were selected for 2004-2005.

The following activities were undertaken during the year:

1. Two basic IT Trainingg Programmes were organized in October and December 2003 in collaboration with New Horizons Computer Learning Center. The students strongly felt that they had been empowered with a skill required for their career development.

2. In order to equip students with advanced level skills in handling computers, a course on Multimedia was organized in May 2004. This evoked a great deal of positive response from the students.

3. To enhance students’ comfort in usage of English an intensive ‘Language Development Course in English’ spread over four Saturdays was organized in Nov-Dec 2003. The course was very useful in breaking the students’ diffidence and instilled in them optimism and confidence towards developing their communication skills.

4. To focus on the innumerable forms of inequality experienced by women, especially those emerging from discriminatory practices, abuse of power and denial of rights, a workshop on ‘Gender, Self and Society’ was held in January 2004. The workshop, besides providing space for self expression, also helped students link personal issues and concerns with wider social situations.

5. An interactive session at the Garden of Five Senses was organized in January 2004, with an aim to bring a sense of belonging and harmony among members of the REACH group and to set students in a self-reflective mode. The natural surroundings provided the students an ideal opportunity in understanding each other and their own accomplishments and aspirations.

6. February 2004 saw the students sharpening their communication skills using the theatre mode. This interaction gained a great deal of appreciation from the students as it removed their hesitation and shyness and enhanced their self-esteem.

7. To sensitize students to the issues of environment, a field trip to Navdanya, a Bio-diversity and Demonstration Farm, was organized in May 2004. The field trip helped students to understand the grave threats to bio-diversity and the importance of organic farming in today’s global society.

8. August 2004 was a landmark in REACH activities at LSR as the first newsletter ‘Anubhuti’ was released. Anubhuti was a collection of experiences shared by FAEA scholarship holders and students involved in the various activities of REACH funded by FAEA. The news letter provided the students a platform for self expression and to improve their writing skills.

2004-2005

Throughout the academic year an English Language Development Course was conducted. The students were given the requisite language skills to help in daily interactions and excel in examinations through a thorough grasp of English. The course was extremely well received and evoked positive responses from the students.

A high point in the calendar this year was the Eight-day Residential Programme -- Integral Learning: Pathways Beyond Classrooms, organised for the FAEA scholarship holders of the northern region at Sanskrit Kendra, Anandgram from 7th to 14th February 2005. 44 students from the states of J&K, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan UP Haryana and Delhi attended.

1. An advanced multimedia course was organised in May 2004 for those students who had attended the training in basic IT skills.

2. Two workshops on Life Skills Development were organised in September 2004 and generated overwhelming positive response from students. The students learned time management, confidence building, group work and risk taking. Similarly a one day workshop for effective participation in group discussions and facing interviews.

3. In December 2004 a trip to Samudayik Shakti, a womens' collective was organised, under the Gender Self and Society Series. The students interacted with the women and visited their homes. They realised at first hand the struggles that women in the slum areas go through in their search for identity.

4. A day's workshop was also organised on adolescent health issues and the need for women to take responsibility for their health.

5. A two day field trip was undertaken in February 2005 in collaboration with an NGO, Hazard Centre. It helped the students to explore the historical, economic and political aspects of the River Yamuna. Traditional water harvesting systems as a means to consume and preserve water resources were emphasised.

2005-2006

1. Scholarships were awarded to Ms Manju (1st Yr  B.El.Ed.) Ms. Deepika (1st Yr  Hindi Hons.) and Ms. Usha (1st Yr  Hindi Hons.), for the year 2005-2006. Out of four alumni three received immediate placement and one was selected for Masters in Economics.

2. Workshops were conducted on "Enhancing Self-Image", by adopting a thaetre mode for maximum impact for attitudinal changes and improving self image; and two workshops on "Interpersonal Communications and Motivational Strategies". Breaking the ice among students through verbal, non verbal and non violent communication was successful in enhancing confidence levels.

3. A workshop on "Unearthing the Self" was organised to help students to gain insights in time management, sel-esteem, positive attitudes and confidence building. To help students to identify career opportunities a workshop was organised on "Climbing the Ladder: Careers Unfolded".

4. A workshop was organised on "Skills for Banking Transactions". Understanding important terms, procedures and operations in every day interactions with banks was the aim. The students expressed the need for such sessions on a regular basis.

5. An 8-day "Training in Basic IT Skills" was conducted at the college for the students to gain proficiency with using computers in day to day life.

6. Two workshops to sensitize students to contemporary issues of social concern were organised. The first "Aurat Aur Samaj" aimed at girls understanding their gendered self and at creating a space for expression as women. The second "Gender, Self and Society - IV" related to personal identity, choices and the struggle to break stereotypes.

7. A field trip "Visible and Invisible City" was organised to Tughlakabad, Quila Rai Pithora and Vasant Kunj. It highlighted the issues facing the marginalised sections of the city. The students got a chance to see for themselves how the underlying social, economic and political reasoins for their incapacitation.

8. Mentoring of a few students was taken up as a special effort to help academically disadvantaged students to learn English and improve their motivation and confidence in coping with the syllabus. A high point of the year's activities was the "Interpersonal Communications" workshop which brought together the non-teaching staff of the college at Sanskriti Kendra, Anandgram, New Delhi. The day long programme covering teamwork and positive attitudes elicited tremendous response. , 

2006-2007

1. Ms. Meenakshi (1st Year B.El.Ed.), Ms. Ranjana (1st Year B.El.Ed.) and Ms. Shama Parveen (1st Year Hindi (Hons.)) were the three students chosen to receive the FAEA Scholarship for 2006-2007.

2. The year started with a workshop on self-discovery highlighting the various dimensions of self and identity. This was followed by other workshops on Resume writing, Time management, Gender issues followed by a basic course in Computers and a workshop on Banking skills including savings schemes and e-banking.

3. A heritage walk was organised to help students to understand secular traditions and active co-existence of communities.  The students walked through Nizamuddin Dargah, the Purana Quila and the Jama Masjid to witness for themselves true unity in diversity.

4. Two field trips were organised, one with Hazard Centre to explore the Yamuna, which exposed the students to the ramifications of human actions. The other was with the Beej Bachao Andolan to Jardhar, Tehri. The trip  highlighted the initisatives taken by the local people in protecting forests and other resources. Both trips were designed to bring home to the students the importance of the environment and its threats.

5. The high point of the year was the training module: Exploring Abundance - Pathways to Integral Learning, in which 30 students from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi took part.Themes included Life Skills, Sensitization on Gender issues, Bio-diversity, Relevance of Gandhiji's teachings in modern times, Information technology and Indian Culture. Living together for one week was a sharing experience for the students who were mutually energised and appreciated each other with emphasis on care, co-operation, trust and interdependence.

2007-2008

1. A workshop to sensitize students on the issues of gender was organized. The workshop provided the students a platform for self-expression and to understand their own gendered identity.  A field trip to Navdanya, an agricultural research center at  Dehradun was really a joyful learning for the students. The students interacted with experts on the agricultural and environmental scenario of India, how organic farming can help against environmental degradation, boost  the agricultural productivity and ensure food security in India.

2. Student projects on various issues related to food security has encouraged them to think of making some difference in the agricultural scenario of India when they enter their professional lives. The newsletter Anubhuti continued to collate experiences of the students in the various activities of REACH. 

3. Svalalamban was initiated in order to imbue students with the concept of self-reliance.The center focused on support to students with visual disability through training in JAWs and SAFA It also imparted entrepreneurial skills to students through workshops on chocolate making, art and craft materials (like paper bags, gift bags, flower-making) and candle making. Besides learning the art, the students learnt budgeting, packaging and entrepreneurial skills. The workshops received a tremendous response from the students.

4. One of the grand events of the year was the Conference – Implementing Inclusivity – A National Consultation, where the principals and co-ordinators from 25 colleges across India participated. Dr. D.P. Chattopadhyaya, an eminent educationist and philosopher, inaugurated the Conference. The two-day Consultation was replete with discussions on the issues of access, equity, inclusivity and diversity. The dignitaries who graced the occasion, as Chairpersons were Dr. Armaity Desai, former chairperson, UGC, Prof. V.R. Mehta, Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi, Dr. R. Padmanabhan, Former Governor of Mizoram, Dr. Mohini Giri, social activist, and Dr. R.P. Yadav, Chairperson, AICTE

5. The journey so far with REACH has been a profound learning experience for students and faculty members. The activities of REACH this year have taken a step towards helping its members to prepare for the world of work. It provided a common platform for all the students of the college in appreciating diversity and unity among all its members.