NSS unit of SMVDU, Katra organized a tree plantation drive at Govt. High School, Sirah in collaboration with the "Go Green Katra" project team. The saplings planted mainly Gulmohar (Jacaranda mimosifolia) trees and some medicinal plants like Ashvagandha etc. NSS volunteers actively participated in the drive and worked with the "Go Green katra" team in pit work and other necessary arrangements. Headmaster, Govt. High School Sirah, Shri Ravi Kumar ji and senior teacher Mrs. Laxmi appreciated the efforts of NSS team of the University. NSS volunteers regularly visit the school for different activities with school students. NSS Programme Coordinator Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Project Director, Go Green Katra, Mr. Dheeraj Thapa were also present during the drive. Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ravindra Kumar Sinha also appreciated the efforts of team NSS for organizing the event.

NSS SMVDU organizes various events in nearby government schools from time to time. This time NSS volunteers distributed creative charts in Government Primary School, in the village Shool.NSS volunteers from the School of Architecture & Landscape Design were assigned the responsibility of making creative charts for the school. The idea was to help primary students to learn different topics effectively. The suggestion of making charts for school students as suggested by the school teacher, Mrs. Mamta during the last visit. The various topics covered in the creative charts, including name of moths, alphabets, parts of body, different seasons, personal hygiene practices, etc. The school teachers appreciated the efforts of University students. Dr. Rajiv Kumar, NSS Programme Coordinator of University also accompanied volunteers and discussed other future works with school teachers. Vice Chancellor, SMVDU, Prof. R.K. Sinha appreciated the efforts of the NSS SMVDU team.

The School of Philosophy and Culture (SoPC) at SMVD University, organized the 8th ICPR Study Circle Meeting sponsored by the Indian Council of Philosophical Research, New Delhi. At the onset, Mr. Sumanta S. Sharma (Head, SoPC) welcomed the speaker and participants and Dr. Anil K. Tewari presented the keynote.The topic of the discussion was “Kashmir Shaiv Darshan” (Kashmir Shaivasim), delivered by Prof. Anand Mishra (Head Department of Philosophy and Religion, Varanasi Hindu University, Varanasi). Prof. Mishra is a recipient of the ‘Bharati Mandan Darshan Ratna’ Award by the ‘Vaidehi Kala Sangrhalaya’ in 2022. Prof. Mishra threw light on the antiquity and rich history of Kashmir Shaivism. The present status of this philosophy was also discussed. The lecture concluded with a question-and-answer session. Dr. Madhu M. Chaturvedi presented the vote of thanks.

School of Civil Engineering, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, in Collaboration with Megadrones Pvt. Ltd., Dehradun, organized a workshop on Applications of Drones in Civil Engineering.The workshop aimed to make civil engineering students aware of the latest technology and techniques available for surveying. Drones are developing technology and have a vast future. The autonomous flying sessions were held in which the participants were allowed to fly the drones and understand their control.Dr. Ajay Koul, Dean of Engineering, presided over the inauguration session. In his speech, he shared his knowledge about drones' artificial intelligence and machine learning with students.

Dr. V. K. Dogra, Head, School of Civil Engineering, guided the students about the workshop and emphasized that the students must think of the new applications of drones in Civil Engineering.Mr. Shashank Mutneja, Director of Megadrones Pvt. Ltd., briefed the students about the applications of drones in civil engineering in practice. The speaker told about the projects they have completed.During the workshop, Mr. Shashank Mutneja and Mr. Shyan Ali, Directors of Megadrones and Mr. Shakir Ali, Chief Financial Officer, Megadrones Pvt. Ltd., trained students for various software, including Google Earth, Q-GIS and Litchi.The workshop was coordinated by Mr. Gautam Narula, Mr. Srijan, and Dr. Rahul Sharma, Assistant Professor, School of Civil Engineering, SMVD University, and the vote of thanks presented by the Secretary of the workshop, Dr. Vaibhav Sapkal.The workshop ended with a valedictory session and the distribution of certificates.

Prof. Jagat Kumar Roy, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, delivered a lecture series on ‘Development biology of Drosophila’ and ‘Chromosome and their role in human diseases’ on 29-30 August 2022. Faculty members, staff, scholars and students at School of Biotechnology and other departments attended the lectures. Prof. Roy also interacted with faculty and scholars of School of Biotechnology, and visited the different laboratories. He also met Prof. RK Sinha, VC, SMVDU, and discussed with him various aspects of institutional development. The event was coordinated by Dr. Rakesh Kumar and Dr. Preeti Sharma.Dr. Ratna Chandra, Head of the School, thanked Prof. Roy for visiting the campus and sharing his knowledge.

Vikalp, a student-led initiative to educate the needy at SMVD University along with NSS, conducted a campaign in the local colonies and adjoining villages of the campus to inform the parents and the students about the reopening of Vikalp activities. The volunteers campaigned to convince the parents and guardians to let their children join the Vikalp program. The volunteers introduced different activities, including literary education, sports, career counselling, computer literacy, and extra-curricular activities that are routinely conducted on the SMVDU campus. The volunteers also raised awareness about the importance of education and healthcare within the adjoining community under the aegis of Shikshit Bharat. The approach to education at Vikalp not only helps engage kids for their holistic development and growth but also proves to be a happy place for kids. Vikalp’s commitment to social justice, sustainable development, gender equality, and human rights for all helps concrete the efforts under the university’s social service responsibility.