“Gram Chaupal”: Your Rights, Your Power

On 23rd May 2025, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Hubli Branch, in collaboration with the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan cell of Don Bosco College of Engineering (DBCE), organized an awareness program titled “Gram Chaupal: Your Rights, Your Power” at Sacorda Village Panchayat. The program aimed to educate the local community about their consumer rights and the significance of adhering to BIS standards in daily life.

The session was conducted by Dr. Mohini Naik, Assistant Professor at DBCE, who provided valuable insights into various aspects of product quality and consumer protection. She explained how to identify ISI marks on products, the importance of hallmarking gold jewellery, and introduced the BIS Care mobile application, which allows consumers to verify the authenticity of products and lodge complaints effectively.

The event commenced with a warm welcome by Shri Sandeep, the Village Secretary. The Sarpanch and Deputy Sarpanch of Sacorda were present and extended their support to the initiative. The program witnessed active participation from the villagers, who showed great interest in learning about the tools available to protect their consumer rights.

The initiative was successful in creating awareness among the rural community about standardization, quality assurance, and the mechanisms available for grievance redressal. It also highlighted the ongoing efforts of institutions like BIS and DBCE to empower rural populations through knowledge and engagement.