Consumer Rights Certificate Course Set for Expansion in Mangaluru Colleges
The Dakshina Kannada District Federation of Consumer Organisations, a prominent non-governmental organisation, has announced plans to significantly expand the reach of its comprehensive one-year consumer rights certificate course to more educational institutions across the region in the coming days. This initiative represents a major step forward in consumer education and awareness building among the youth of coastal Karnataka.
Course Structure and Practical Implementation
Originally launched at Govinda Dasa Degree College in Surathkal, this innovative programme has already been successfully adopted by ten colleges throughout the district. The course carries substantial academic weightage of 150 marks and incorporates a balanced blend of theoretical knowledge and practical exposure. Students enrolled in the programme gain valuable hands-on experience through visits to key institutions including the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Mangaluru City Corporation offices, the deputy commissioner's office, and various other related government departments.
According to MJ Salian, former junior non-commissioned officer of the Indian Air Force and founder of the NGO, this practical component is essential for students to understand the real-world application of consumer protection mechanisms. The field visits provide students with direct insight into how consumer grievance redressal systems function in practice, Salian explained, emphasizing the programme's commitment to experiential learning.
Two Decades of Consumer Awareness Building
Salian revealed that the organisation has been actively creating awareness about consumer rights among school and college students in Dakshina Kannada district for over twenty years, reaching an impressive network of more than eighty government schools and private colleges. The consumer rights initiative was first launched in 2001 after Salian observed what he described as limited awareness and understanding of consumer protection mechanisms among the local population.
The programme initially began with public workshops aimed at educating community members about their rights as consumers. However, when these workshops attracted poor attendance, the federation strategically shifted its focus toward educational institutions, recognizing that students represented a more receptive and influential audience for long-term change.
Filling the Awareness Gap
While consumer awareness promotion ideally falls under the responsibility of elected representatives at the zilla panchayat level, Salian noted that his organisation stepped in to bridge what he perceived as a significant gap in public education. The NGO has worked collaboratively with local officials to establish a Consumer Information Centre in Mangaluru, which later evolved into the District Consumer Information Centre with support from like-minded individuals and financial contributions from various sources.
These centres serve as crucial resources for consumers seeking to address grievances and understand their rights under various consumer protection laws. The establishment of these physical spaces represents a tangible outcome of the organisation's long-term commitment to consumer empowerment in the region.
Comprehensive Educational Resources
As part of the ongoing programme, participating schools receive specially designed handbooks, while teachers undergo training to become programme coordinators. These coordinators then train students using the comprehensive educational materials provided. The handbook, published in both Kannada and English to ensure maximum accessibility, covers multiple essential aspects of consumer protection including:
- The history and development of the consumer movement in India
- Detailed provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019
- The structure and functioning of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
- The operations of State and District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions
- Practical guidance for filing consumer complaints
- Case studies of successful consumer grievance resolutions
This multilingual approach ensures that students from diverse linguistic backgrounds can access and benefit from the educational materials, reflecting the organisation's commitment to inclusive consumer education.
Future Expansion and Impact
The planned expansion of the certificate course to additional colleges represents the next phase in the organisation's mission to create a more consumer-aware generation. By embedding consumer rights education within formal academic structures, the federation aims to create lasting impact that extends beyond individual students to their families and communities.
Salian expressed optimism about the programme's continued growth, noting that increased institutional partnerships would allow the organisation to reach even more students with essential consumer protection knowledge. We believe that educated consumers create more accountable markets and better business practices, he stated, highlighting the broader societal benefits of consumer awareness education.
The expansion initiative comes at a particularly relevant time as digital transactions and e-commerce continue to grow in India, creating new consumer protection challenges that require informed and vigilant consumers who understand their rights and responsibilities in the marketplace.
