Students pursuing a Master of Social Work (2nd Semester) at the Central University of South Bihar (CUSB) successfully completed a five-day social work camp at Vikas Bharati, located in Bishunpur, Gumla, Jharkhand. Acting on the recommendation of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kameswar Nath Singh and under the supervision of Prof. Vijay Kumar Sharma, Head of the Department of Sociological Studies, the students participated in this camp from April 17 to April 21, 2026. During the camp, other faculty members—Dr. Haresh Narayan Pandey, Dr. Parijat Pradhan, and Dr. Priya Ranjan—also accompanied the students. The objective of this camp, organized as an integral part of the curriculum, was to expose students to rural and tribal communities and to provide them with practical, hands-on experience in understanding development initiatives currently underway at the grassroots level.

During the camp, Mr. Mahendra Bhagat, Joint Secretary of Vikas Bharati, interacted with the CUSB team, providing them with detailed information about the organization, its vision, and the work being undertaken in various sectors such as tribal development, rural development, livelihoods, healthcare, and agriculture. The students also visited the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Bishunpur, where Mr. Mahendra Bhagat, Dr. Brajesh Pandey, Mr. Kaushal Kumar, Mr. Sunil Kumar, and Dr. Nishi Tiwari briefed them extensively on the center's research areas, activities, and various initiatives.

Throughout the camp, prior to participating in various activities, the students were provided with essential guidelines regarding the camp's objectives, ethical conduct, and field-work protocols. The institution operates in diverse sectors—including agriculture, animal husbandry, and horticulture—focusing on areas such as seeds, organic fertilizers (such as *Jivamrit* and *Bijamrit*), various breeds of cattle, sheep, and goats, as well as crops such as wheat, paddy, millet, and mangoes. At the KVK, students also witnessed firsthand several innovative initiatives related to the marketing of products made from millet—such as laddoos, savory mixtures, biscuits, and cakes.

Head of the Department, Prof. Vijay Kumar Sharma, stated that during their visit, the students interacted with members of the local community, observed various development programs, and gained experience in field-based learning. This experience enabled the students to understand rural socio-economic conditions, appreciate the role of non-governmental organizations in advancing development initiatives, and acquire grassroots-level insights.