Fruits and vegetable processing play an important role in Tribal culture. Towards achieving this, RGNIYD and MSSRF, Wayanad had organised three capacity building programme on Fruit and Vegetable processing. The objective of the Capacity Building was to assist landless tribal youth to improve their quality of life by increasing their income from sustainable small-scale food processing enterprises. This was achieved in the three day programme by transferring information and expertise in food processing enterprise through resources persons from NABARD, KVASU and Farm Federation of Kerala. 52 youth ( 17 Male , 35 Female) attended the programme.

The Empanelled Training Institute – RGNIYD, Sriperumbudur conducted an orientation programmes for the newly inducted NSS Programme Officers of the constituent and affiliated colleges of the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu from 20-26 April 2018. Thirty seven NSS Programme Officers from Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Tuticorin districts participated in the programme. The programme aimed at building the capacity of the participants to effectively implement the activities and discharge the duties designated as NSS Program Officers. After the pre-evaluation of the programme was done, the NSS Programme officers were provided an introduction on the ETI, Aim and objective of the ETI training programme, Expectation and suggestions of the Participants. Further , they were oriented on the History and philosophy of NSS, Success stories of NSS, Aims and objectives of NSS, Motto of NSS, NSS Emblem, NSS Clap and Song, Organisational Structure and functions of the NSS personnel: National, State/University/ Directorate/Unit level, Roles and responsibilities of SLOs and Programme Co-ordinators, Roles and responsibilities of Programme Officers, Formation and functions of Advisory committees at different levels, Organisational Structure and functions of the NSS personnel, Financial Management, Documentation and Preparing Reports, Flagship Programmes of the Central and State Governments Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Life Skills for Adolescents/Youth, Gender Sensitization, Legal Awareness, Personality Development and Leadership, Environment and Sustainable Development, Value Education, Disaster Management, First-aid, Social Harmony and National Integration and Motivation through experience sharing by NSS functionaries. On 24th April 2018, the participants were taken to an exposure to the Waste Management Plant being managed by the Tirunelveli Corporation. The participants witnessed the scientifically compressed waste accumulated for over 15 years which has been converted into a garden where the sewage waste of the town is also treated. They also visited the polythene recycling unit where the polythene waste is segregated and is recycled for laying polymer roads. Further, they also visited the Bio-Methanation cum Power Plant run by the Tirunelveli Corporation where the bio-degradable waste is segregated, crushed and fed into the mailhem anaerobic digester. The bio-gas is then fed into the ballon room where the bio-gas is stored and supplied/utilized as fuel later. The participants later had a lecture session on Litter Free Tirunelveli (LIFT) at the Conference Hall of Tirunelveli Corporation. The participants were detailed on the initiatives of the Tirunelveli Corporation on the waste management initiatives undertaken by them through collective action, people participation and through the intervention of District Administration and Civil Society Organisations. The District Administration was conferred a National Award for the first of its kind waste management project. The NSS Programme Officers were provided inputs on the methods of conducting a survey on a suitable theme keeping in view the local requirements of the field visit area. On 25th April 2018, the NSS Programme Officers were taken to Sardarpuram Village for a field survey. The participants were divided into groups and conducted surveys on Education/Literacy, Employment, Sanitation, Health, Conservation of Environmental Resources and Status of Implementation of various Government Schemes. On 26th April 2018, the participants presented the report on the survey undertaken by their respective groups. On 26th April, 2018, the NSS State Liaison Officer, NSS State Cell, Government of Tamil Nadu Dr. Ramamurthy delivered the valedictory address. Dr. Vasanthi Rajendran, Professor, RGNIYD delivered special address. The participants provided their feedback on the programme during the valedictory session. Later the certificates were presented by the dignitaries to the participants.