Building healthier, safer communities in RID 3182
Jagruta, a year-long service initiative of the Rotaract Club of Muniyal Group of Institutions, RI District 3182, is driving six impactful programmes centred on awareness, empowerment and community well-being. The project reaches schoolchildren and underserved communities across coastal Karnataka through consistent engagement.
A key focus area is mental health awareness in schools, delivered under expert guidance. At Parakala High School, Dr Rashmi Kalkura, assistant professor, Department of Kayachikitsa, Muniyal Ayurveda College, conducted an interactive session for around 90 students aged 14–15. Addressing the often-unspoken pressures of academics and adolescence, the session encouraged open conversations on stress, emotions and coping strategies. “Students today are navigating intense expectations. Equipping them early with tools to manage stress can shape healthier, more confident individuals,” says club president Shivani Yeotikar, a final year medical student at the Muniyal Institute of Ayurveda Medical Sciences, Manipal.
Physical health awareness forms another pillar of Jagruta. In Vidyanagar, Patla, Dr Vidya Ballal, an ayurvedic physician, led a session for 70 students covering hygiene, nutrition and preventive healthcare. The programme also addresses menstrual hygiene and common concerns such as anaemia, eye issues and dental health. Together, these health initiatives benefit around 80 children every month.
The club has also been actively improving learning environments in nearby rural schools by identifying and addressing minor infrastructure needs. At a government school in Patla, a vibrant wall painting inspired by traditional Warli art has transformed the campus, creating a more engaging and culturally rooted space for students. On the same day, a plantation drive in Vidyanagar saw 25 saplings planted, reinforcing environmental responsibility — an integral part of Project Jagruta.
Environmental action extends to the coast, where members regularly undertake waterbody rejuvenation and beach clean-up drives. Recent efforts at Malpe and Udupi beaches highlight the club’s commitment to preserving local ecosystems.
Community outreach remains a monthly priority. Rotaractors frequently visit anganwadis and children’s homes to engage with young inmates. During a recent visit to an anganwadi in Patla, around 40 children participated in interactive sessions on health and hygiene. Through games, creative activities, and the distribution of drawing books and crayons, important messages were conveyed in a joyful and relatable manner.
The Rotaract Club of Brahmavara has been championing road safety awareness. Their programme, conducted across multiple schools, has reached nearly 200 students. Led by an RTO officer and supported by project in-charge Shrihari Kerekoige, the sessions covered traffic rules, road signs and responsible behaviour.
In February, DRR M R Nivas, along with the district Rotaract committee, called for a district wide CPR and first aid training initiative. “We aimed to reach at least 3,182 people, and we’ve surpassed that goal,” he says. Rotaract clubs, particularly those in medical institutions, collaborated to train both Rotaractors and the wider public in emergency response, with a special focus on public transport drivers.
