Samnita Social Inclusion Lab’ Inaugurated at Panampatta New U.P. School

MATTANUR (KANNUR)”
The ‘Samnita Social Inclusion Lab’, established at Panambatta New U.P. School, Malur to foster empathy and social commitment among students, was inaugurated on 17th September 2026.

The new lab was inaugurated by Kannur District Collector P. Vishnuraj. The event was presided over by Malur Grama Panchayat President K. Suresh Babu, while V. K. Sanoj, MLA, was the chief guest. Robin Tommy, Founder of Samnita Social Inclusion Lab, was also in attendance.

The Samnita Social Inclusion Lab aims to nurture empathy in children by utilizing modern technology such as additive manufacturing to transform the needs of those around them into ideas and practical devices.

Speaking at the event, the District Collector stated that such initiatives help cultivate social responsibility and compassion in students at a young age. He added that it is commendable to see children stepping forward to use technology not merely for gaining knowledge, but as a helping hand for the marginalized and persons with disabilities.

V. K. Sanoj MLA remarked that Panambatta New U.P. School has set a new model for inclusive education through the Samnita Social Inclusion Lab, which will help support marginalized sections and students with disabilities.

Explaining the project, Robin Tommy, Founder of Samnita Social Inclusion Lab, emphasized that that creating something with their own hands for others is a profound way for children to develop true empathy.Through this project, students leverage modern technology to identify community problems, engineer appropriate solutions, and independently design and build assistive devices required by the disabled and elderly. He added that while “inclusion” often remains a topic confined to textbooks, Samnita transforms it into a practical workshop.

The Samnita Social Inclusion Lab is enabled with the support of a Kerala-based social enterprise focusing on inclusive ed-tech solutions and products, Punarjeeva Technology Solutions.

Block Panchayat Member O. Prasad, Ward Member K. Vijith, School Committee Treasurer Champadan Janardhanan, School Committee President E. Narayanan, PTA President M. Hashim, Mother PTA President Sharika Rajesh, K. K. Sheena, Mattannur AEO K. Bindu, Punarjeeva CEO Smitha Rose Mary George, CDO Reshmi Ravinndranathan, Samnita Lead Dinoj Davis, along with teachers and parents, attended the event. School Committee President E. Narayanan delivered the welcome address, and Headmaster T. P. Ranjith Kumar proposed the vote of thanks.