Mattannur, Kannur: The Samnita Social Inclusion Lab, established at Panambatta New U.P. School in Malur to foster empathy and social commitment among students, was inaugurated recently.
The Samnita Social Inclusion Lab aims to nurture empathy among children by using modern technology, including additive manufacturing, to transform the needs of people around them into ideas and practical devices.
The Samnita Social Inclusion Lab has been enabled with the support of Kerala-based social enterprise Punarjeeva Technology Solutions, which focuses on inclusive ed-tech solutions and products.
The Samnita Social Inclusion Lab was inaugurated by Kannur District Collector P. Vishnuraj, IAS. The event was presided over by Malur Grama Panchayat President K. Suresh Babu, while V. K. Sanoj, MLA, was the chief guest. Robin Tommy, Founder of Samnita Social Inclusion Lab, also attended the event.
Speaking at the event, Kannur District Collector P. Vishnuraj said that initiatives such as the Samnita Social Inclusion Lab help cultivate social responsibility and compassion among students at a young age.
He added that it is commendable to see children stepping forward to use technology not merely for gaining knowledge, but as a helping hand for marginalized people and persons with disabilities.
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V. K. Sanoj, MLA, remarked that Panambatta New U.P. School has established a new model for inclusive education through the Samnita Social Inclusion Lab, which will help support marginalized sections and students with disabilities.
Explaining the project, Robin Tommy, Founder of Samnita Social Inclusion Lab, emphasized that creating something with their own hands for others is a profound way for children to develop true empathy.
Through the Samnita Social Inclusion Lab, students leverage modern technology to identify community problems, engineer appropriate solutions, and independently design and build assistive devices required by persons with disabilities and the elderly.
Robin Tommy added that while “inclusion” often remains a topic confined to textbooks, the Samnita Social Inclusion Lab transforms it into a practical workshop.
Block Panchayat Member O. Prasad, Ward Member K. Vijith, School Committee Treasurer Champadan Janardhanan, School Committee President E. Narayanan, PTA President M. Hashim, Mother PTA President Sharika Rajesh, K. K. Sheena, Mattannur AEO K. Bindu, Punarjeeva CEO Smitha Rose Mary George, CDO Reshmi Ravinndranathan and Samnita Lead Dinoj Davis, along with teachers and parents, attended the event.
School Committee President E. Narayanan delivered the welcome address, while Headmaster T. P. Ranjith Kumar proposed the vote of thanks.
