“Gyan-Setu” means “knowledge-bridge”. This program aims at connecting remote parts of India through knowledge exchange.

Gyan-Setu is a volunteer program to conduct science-based workshops for middle-school students in remote parts of developmentally challenged states of India.

This program provides you a unique opportunity to contribute in spreading the joy of education among children and providing them exposure to the exciting world of science. This process will in turn help you to have better understanding of the land and people from these remote areas; thus facilitating development of a proactive attitude in you towards problems being faced by the society.

This program is organized by Educational Activity Research Center (EARC), Jnana Prabodhini, Pune. Please visit the following link for more details: http://jpearc.org/.

For the academic year 2020-21, this program is planned in 8 states viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Jammu-Kashmir.

These states, and especially the specific regions within these states where Gyan-Setu workshops are being arranged, are one of the most under-developed parts of India. Of course, we need to expand this program to all other developmentally challenged parts of this country. We certainly plan to do so, slowly and steadily, through collaborations with various organizations.

Your organization would be most welcome to be a part of Gyan-Setu. As mentioned above, Gyan-Setu envisages building a strong and robust network of organizations to create a sustainable platform for this program. Please contact our office for more details or mail us at gyansetu@jnanaprabodhini.org.

We are looking for enthusiastic, energetic and young-at-heart volunteers who would like to use their time, intellect and energy for the benefit of the society. There is no stringent requirement of education but prior experience of conducting activities (preferably educational) for children would be highly beneficial.

Volunteers should have age between 18 to 60 years. Others should contact the Gyan-Setu office prior to their registration.

Yes, you can certainly register for Gyan-Setu. You will undergo orientation-cum-training workshop and also trial workshop i.e. demonstration before going on for Gyan-Setu visit. Although we will put all our efforts to prepare you in the best possible way, it is your responsibility to get acquainted with the activities to be conducted during the workshops. Hence, sincere participation in orientation-cum-training and trial workshops is most essential.

A registered Gyan-Setu volunteer is expected to participate in a Gyan-Setu visit to one of eight states. He/she will be a part of a team of 8 – 10 volunteers. After the completion of your visit, you can also help/mentor successive volunteer teams going to the same state.

Please click here for online registration form. We accept registrations only through this form, which is quite self-explanatory.

Registration fee is Rs. 100. This can be paid at Gyan-Setu office or during orientation-cum-training workshops. There is no provision of online payment.

Yes, of course! You can select three preferences for states (but only from the available ones) while registering.

There are particular months available for each state; based on weather conditions and availability at schools there. You can select months suitable to you, during your registration. Based on these preferences, you will be made part of a particular visit. The exact dates of a visit are decided only after finalization of the volunteer team, considering preferences of all of the members.

The selection process is based on basic scrutiny of the registration forms.

You will receive email and telephonic communication from Gyan-Setu office, within roughly one week of your successful submission of online registration.

Please contact Gyan-Setu office as soon as possible if you are not in a position to participate as per your preferences (of state and month) submitted in registration form. Considering specific circumstances, you might be required to submit fresh registration.

There are two mandatory requirements to be completed by each volunteer, before going to Gyan-Setu visit, viz. “Orientation-cum-training workshop” and “Trial workshop”. Through these, you will get orientation towards the content of the workshop and also logistics of your visit.

Orientation-cum-training workshop is arranged mostly at Gyan-Setu office i.e. Jnana Prabodhini, 514, Sadashiv Peth, Pune-411030. Date, time and venue will be conveyed by email prior to one week by Gyan Setu team. Please keep checking the email frequently. Hence, in most of the cases, you will be required to come at this address to participate in this workshop. Currently it must be noted that physical participation (and not online e.g. over skype etc.) is mandatory in this workshop.

The goal of this one-day workshop is to prepare volunteers as best as possible for the planned Gyan-Setu visit. This includes orientation to the content of Gyan-Setu workshops (e.g. science toys, activities) along with towards social conditions at the locations and relevance of this program there.

You will be provided with a Gyan-Setu companion book. This contains fairly detailed illustration of all possible activities to be conducted in these workshops. You are encouraged to use this book to prepare yourself well.

You will be required to conduct one day trial workshops at schools/places (mostly in rural area) near Pune (or your place of residence), along with your team with which you will be going for the Gyan-Setu visit. This is required so that you get more acquainted with the specific activities, subtleties required while conducting them with children etc. Gyan-Setu organizing team will arrange these workshops after your orientation-cum-training workshops.

If you participate sincerely both in orientation-cum-training and trial workshops, you will be prepared quite well for the visit. However, it would be a good idea to perform as many trial workshops as possible, on your own, may be at places of your knowledge. This will add to your experience and confidence of conducting these activities. Moreover, it will also benefit the children where you will conduct these trial workshops. The Gyan-Setu organizing team will certainly help you in this.

As mentioned earlier, regional partner organizations take care of the logistics of volunteer teams at the locations of Gyan-Setu visits. The State coordinators from Gyan-Setu organizing team are also involved in coordinating all necessary logistical planning.

A typical Gyan-Setu visit of around 15 days comprises 4-7 days of travel, 5-6 days of actual workshops and 1-2 days of sight-seeing.

State coordinators will help your team to prepare a detailed travel plan, with assistance from the regional partner organizations. They will provide you all information regarding travel options (i.e. train, bus, flight etc.). However you should finalize and book your travel plan yourself and not rely completely on the State coordinator.

Around 5000/- per person. It may vary according to place-state and sightseeing planning after workshop by group.

Gyan-Setu does offer sponsorship to volunteers who can’t afford the expenses. You have to fill Sponsorship form. Once it is approved you will get the sponsorship as per need.

You and your accompanying team will coordinate with the State coordinator (of your respective state) from Gyan-Setu organizing team (or any other person appointed by him/her). You can contact him/her in case of any problems or difficulties.

Please see Gyan-Setu companion book.

The above-mentioned sections in the companion book also contain some information regarding health related precautions. Please contact the State coordinators to get detailed suggestions.

You will be required to fill and submit application form for sponsorship. Also go through terms and conditions before applying.

After we receive your sponsorship application form, it will pass through basic scrutiny. An interview (either physical or telephonic) will then be arranged after which a decision will be taken regarding awarding of the sponsorship.

The critical criteria considered in this process are your personal background (academic, professional, voluntary), financial need and commitment to the social cause. Note that the purpose of sponsorship is to provide financial support to those who really need it thus encouraging their participation as volunteer in Gyan-Setu. Hence apply only if you are in real need.

Yes, certainly! You can participate as a part of content development or publicity or sponsorship related work.

You can “Sponsor a volunteer” which includes the expenses for one Gyan-Setu visit of one volunteer. This amounts to Rs. 5000. You can also provide donations to meet other expenses of the program. Kindly contact our office for the same.

All donations will be used to provide sponsorship to volunteers, preparing kits for Gyan-Setu workshops and other operational costs (e.g. educational material, food and logistics etc.).