Government Degree College (GDC), Drass, on July 16 held the valedictory function of a five-day PM-USHA Workshop on Women Leadership, Life Skills, Menstrual Health and Hygiene, and Stop Motion Animation. Deputy Commissioner Drass, Imteeaz Kacho, attended the programme as the chief guest.

The workshop was facilitated by Swati Bhatt and Agyatmitra, practitioners of Play for Peace, along with Ananya and Nitin from the Charkha Development Communication Network, New Delhi.

Principal Nasirul Mehdi Shabani highlighted the objectives and achievements of the workshop, emphasizing the importance of strengthening young women's leadership, life skills, menstrual health awareness, and creative learning through stop-motion animation. He also announced that menstrual cups provided by Baqirya Health Centre would be distributed among participants to promote menstrual health and hygiene.

A key highlight of the programme was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between GDC-Drass and the Charkha Development Communication Network in the presence of the Deputy Commissioner. The MoU aims to strengthen future collaboration in organising capacity-building programmes and youth development initiatives.

Speaking on the occasion, Ananya thanked GDC-Drass for hosting the workshop and appreciated the enthusiasm and active participation of the students.

She described the engagement with students and faculty as a rewarding experience and noted that the Charkha team had also learned from the participants.

She announced the formation of a Youth Club to continue activities related to the workshop themes and assured participants of Charkha's continued support. She further informed that a core group of seven girl participants would receive advanced training to become resource persons capable of conducting similar workshops in schools and other institutions.

The programme also featured the screening of a stop-motion animation film created by the participants, showcasing their learning experiences and activities during the five-day workshop. The film received wide appreciation from the audience.

Certificates, coffee mugs, and menstrual cups were distributed among the participants, while the resource persons were felicitated with traditional khataqs and souvenirs by the Deputy Commissioner in recognition of their contributions.

Addressing the gathering, Deputy Commissioner Imteeaz Kacho congratulated GDC-Drass for successfully organising the workshop under PM-USHA. He commended the college's initiative and particularly praised the stop-motion animation film prepared by the participants. Highlighting the role of PM-USHA in promoting quality education, skill development, and holistic student development, he expressed confidence that the college would continue to organise more innovative and impactful programmes. He also thanked the resource persons for visiting Drass and helping students enhance and channelise their skills.