Promoting Physical and Mental Well-being of Students, Faculty and Non-Teaching Staff

Rani Birla Girls’ College, committed to academic excellence, recognizes the critical role that physical and mental well-being plays in fostering an effective teaching-learning environment. To support this, the institution has implemented a comprehensive range of initiatives aimed at enhancing the overall health of its students, faculty, and non-teaching staff.

The college offers free medical check-ups, psychological counselling, and training in yoga and self-defence techniques. These efforts aim not only to address immediate health concerns—such as exam-related stress, addiction, musculoskeletal disorders, and nutritional deficiencies—but also to promote long-term awareness of healthy lifestyle practices. These initiatives are especially significant in today’s fast-paced, digital, and post-pandemic society, where physical and mental health challenges are increasingly prevalent due to lifestyle stressors, media overexposure, and competitive pressures.

To ensure efficient and inclusive implementation, the college established the Physical and Mental Well-being Cell, working in collaboration with the IQAC and other institutional bodies. This reflects a collective commitment to holistic development across the institution.

Key Measures to Promote Physical and Mental Well-being

1. Free Medical Check-ups Regular, no-cost medical consultations were conducted on campus by Dr. Shabana Roze Chowdhury (MBBS), enabling early detection of health issues and referral for further care.
2. Student Health Home Scheme The college has subscribed to the ‘Student Health Home’ scheme, ensuring universal membership for all students. This entitles them to subsidized consultations, tests, medicines, and hospital treatment.
3. Medical Camp On January 4, 2024, the college hosted a screening camp for anaemia, thyroid issues, blood sugar, and bone density. The event was conducted in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Salt Lake Metropolitan and the Kolkata Menopause Society.
4. Psychological Counselling Regular psychological counselling services are provided both in-house by Mrs. Pampa Chatterjee (Associate Professor, Department of Education), and externally by visiting counsellor Ms. Syeda Tania Islam.
5. Mentorship Programme In accordance with UGC guidelines, each student is assigned a faculty mentor to address academic and mental health concerns. Mentor-mentee records are updated and maintained regularly.

Additional Initiatives for Holistic Well-being

1. Yoga and Meditation The college promotes yoga for physical and mental balance. A certificate course on “Yoga, Physical and Mental Well-being” was conducted in 2020. Other events include:
   1. “Living Well: A One-Day Yoga Camp and Meditation Session” organized on February 11, 2020.
   2. Celebrations of World Yoga Day in 2022 and 2023 with on-campus yoga camps and an online quiz on yoga benefits.
2. Self-Defence Training As part of the Sukanya Project (a joint initiative of Kolkata Police and the Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal), students received training in self-defence for empowerment and physical fitness.
3. Sports and Physical Activity The college actively encourages participation in sports, including badminton, throwball, kho-kho, and kabaddi. A dedicated coach was appointed for training. Students have participated in inter-college competitions and won prizes in events like tug-of-war.

Sustained Commitment to Well-being

The Physical and Mental Well-being Cell meets regularly to plan and evaluate activities and address challenges such as funding shortfalls. Through these sustained efforts, Rani Birla Girls’ College strives to provide a holistic and enriching learning experience. The institution views physical and mental well-being not just as a support for academic and professional achievement, but as essential to leading a meaningful and fulfilling life.