New Town/Kolkata (14 April 2026): The Department of Social Work, St. Xavier’s University Kolkata were in Shantiniketan from 11th to 14th April 2026 for a special fieldwork. It proved to be an enriching experience for the students of Social Work from SXUK.

On Day 1, the group reached Shantiniketan by train and after settling down at Parasmani in Rantanpally, the group visited Taltore Village, where they engaged in resource mapping and observed historical structures, including remnants of zamindari heritage. This offered a glimpse into the socio-cultural fabric of rural life.

Day 2 began with a visit to Suchana, where students were oriented on empowerment programmes focused on tribal communities, language and cultural preservation. The exposure deepened their understanding of grassroots interventions, and the students actively participated by organizing a street play to spread awareness on issues like child marriage, linguistic challenges in tribal families. The students visited Srijani Shilpogram in the evening for some cultural exposure.

On Day 3, 13th of April the students visited SEVAKS. It highlighted disability empowerment initiatives under the DDRC programme. Students interacted with guardians of children with disabilities, gaining insight into real-life challenges and resilience. An orientation by Mr. Nirupam Sinha, from DCPU Birbhum further strengthened their institutional understanding. It was followed by an engaging session with the Department of Social Work at Visva Bharati facilitated meaningful exchanges on urban and rural fieldwork experiences. The visit to Amar Kutir Society for Rural Development showcased a transition from a social movement to a more business-oriented model of rural development. The evening was spent in the midst of cultural activities and recreational events like Social work quiz, a dance drama based on contemporary geo political tensions and a discussion on the inferences of each student from the last couple of days’ experiences, in the presence of the Faculties.

On the fourth day, Mr. Shyamal Sarkar, from Tarapada Panchagram Seva Samiti conducted a session on Farmer Producer Companies, offering practical insights into their functioning, benefits, and challenges. The student from MSW Semester 4 had a plethora of both engaging and fun activities that left the students with lasting learnings, meaningful exposure, and a renewed commitment to social interventions.

The MSW Department at St. Xavier’s University Kolkata offers a 2 year Masters program which continues to prioritize extensive fieldwork, leaving students with a renewed commitment to social interventions and lasting professional growth.