In an endeavor to nurture a culture of quality and standards awareness among the youth of India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has initiated a remarkable project known as ‘Standards Clubs.’ The BIS proudly announced the establishment of 6,467 such clubs in schools and colleges all across the nation. These clubs serve as platforms to educate young minds about the pivotal role that standards play in enhancing the quality of life.
In a statement, BIS highlighted the significance of this initiative, emphasizing the role of children in shaping a robust and dynamic India. “Children are the architects of a strong, vibrant, and dynamic India. The BIS is lighting up the future of India with a visionary initiative – the creation of Standards Clubs in schools and colleges across the nation. This innovative endeavor aims to instill in young minds the paramount importance of quality, standards, and generating scientific temperament. Quality consciousness, steeped in the principles of standardization, is a key pillar of accelerated economic development. By nurturing an appreciation for quality, standards, and standardization in our students, we ignite a spark that has the power to transform our society.”
The Standards Clubs program, which commenced in 2021, has already left a significant mark by establishing its presence in 6,467 educational institutions. These clubs boast a membership of over 1.7 lakh enthusiastic students with a background in science. These students are guided by dedicated science teachers from their respective schools who serve as mentors, receiving specialized training from BIS.
Among these clubs, 5,562 are located in schools, while 905 are situated in various colleges, including 384 clubs in engineering colleges. These clubs engage students in a wide range of activities designed to offer insights into the realm of quality and standardization. Activities include standards writing competitions, quiz competitions, debates, essay writing, poster making, and exposure visits to laboratories and industrial units, among others.
BIS extends financial assistance to educational institutions for organizing these activities, in addition to offering training programs for mentors and arranging regular exposure visits to labs and industry units for student members.
Recognizing the value of hands-on learning, BIS has further expanded its financial support. High and higher secondary schools with Standards Clubs are eligible to receive a one-time Laboratory Grant of up to Rs 50,000 in the form of state-of-the-art lab equipment to enhance their Science Labs.
Furthermore, to ensure a conducive and engaging learning environment, BIS is providing financial assistance of up to Rs 1,00,000 to establish ‘Manak Kaksha’ (Standard Rooms) in government institutions where Standards Clubs have been established.
This initiative by the Bureau of Indian Standards is paving the way for a future generation that appreciates and upholds the highest standards of quality, ultimately contributing to the nation’s development and progress. Stay tuned for updates on the impact and growth of Standards Clubs across India.