BIS hosts residential training programme for Standards Club Mentors

Rajouri, July 31: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, successfully organised a two-day residential training programme for mentors of BIS Standards Clubs from July 30–31 at Rajouri. The event was coordinated through the Jammu and Kashmir Branch Office (JKBO) of BIS.As per a statement issued here, more than 50 participants, including mentors of 30 BIS Standards Clubs and additional science teachers from schools across Rajouri and Poonch districts, took part in the training, which aimed to strengthen science education through practical, standards-based learning. The programme was inaugurated by Mohd. Iqbal, Chief Education Officer, J&K School Education Department, Rajouri, who graced the occasion as Chief Guest. In his address, he lauded BIS for conducting such a meaningful and capacity-building initiative in a remote region. “Hosting a training of this magnitude in a far-flung district like Rajouri is truly commendable. It reflects BIS’s commitment to reaching every corner of the country with knowledge and quality awareness,” he said. Ashish Kumar Dwivedi, Standard Promotion Officer, BIS JKBO, welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of the Learning Science via Standards (LSVS) initiative. He explained how the programme bridges the gap between textbook knowledge and real-life applications of science, encouraging mentors to integrate LSVS principles into school curricula. He also briefed attendees on the formation, purpose, and functioning of BIS Standards Clubs, and highlighted recent BIS activities in the twin districts. The technical sessions were spearheaded by Rajeev Pandita, who delivered an insightful presentation on BIS’s core functions, including standardisation, product certification, laboratory testing, and quality assurance mechanisms. Participants gained valuable knowledge about BIS’s role in ensuring consumer safety and promoting industrial excellence. Mehak Rasool and Syed Sanjeeda, key resource persons and subject experts from BIS, conducted engaging sessions on the LSVS methodology. They guided educators through practical demonstrations, such as identifying authentic ISI-marked products, understanding the gold hallmarking scheme, and verifying HUID numbers on ornaments. Their sessions also introduced lesson plans designed to connect everyday objects with core scientific concepts, making science more accessible and relatable for students. Day one concluded with an interactive group activity, where participants were assigned BIS-certified product categories and tasked with developing lesson-based presentations. On the second day, the mentors and teachers delivered well-prepared group presentations on products such as Electric Iron, Helmet, LPG Cylinder, Pencil, and Ceiling Fans. The creativity and pedagogical clarity of the presentations were widely appreciated. In recognition of outstanding dedication, Facilitation Awards were presented to several mentors and to the District Nodal Officers of the School Education Department— Anupam Shrikhandia (Rajouri) and . Harish Sharma (Poonch)—for their exemplary support in promoting BIS Standards Club activities during the academic year 2024–25. Certificates of Participation were also distributed to all attendees, marking their successful completion of the training. The programme concluded on a high note, with participants expressing enthusiasm for incorporating the BIS curriculum into daily teaching. The event not only empowered mentors with practical tools and teaching techniques, but also reinforced BIS’s mission to embed quality consciousness and standards-based learning in India’s educational fabric.