NSS

Overview

·         The National Service Scheme (NSS) is an Indian government-sponsored public service program conducted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government of India. Popularly known as NSS, the scheme was launched in Gandhiji’s birth centenary year i.e, 1969. Aimed at developing students’ personality through direct involvement in community service, it operates as a voluntary association of young people in colleges, universities and at +2 level that works towards forging campus-community linkage.

SYMBOL

·         The symbol for the NSS is based on the giant chariot wheel of the world-famous Konark Sun Temple (The Black Pagoda) situated in Odisha, India. The wheel portrays the cycle of creation, preservation, and release. It signifies the movement in life across time & space, thus symbolizing continuity as well as change and thereby implies the continuous striving of NSS volunteers for social change. The eight spokes of the wheel represent 24 hours of a day.

AIM

·         The programme aims to instill the idea of social welfare in students, and to provide selfless service to the society without any prejudice or discrimination. NSS volunteers work tirelessly to enhance the standard of living of the disadvantaged and the deprived sections and enable them to lead a life of dignity. While doing so, volunteers also imbibe important life lessons from the villagers, like for instance about leading a good life despite scarcity of resources. They also help during natural and man-made disasters by providing food, clothing, shelter and first aid to the victims. They work alongside disaster relief organizations through the response, recovery, and mitigation phases following an emergency.

TYPES OF ACTIVITIES

There are two types of activities: Regular Activities (120 hours) and Annual Special Camp (120 hours).  All the NSS Volunteers who have served NSS for at least 2 years and have performed 240 hours of work under it are entitled to a certificate from the university under the signature of the Vice-Chancellor and the Programme Coordinator. The annual camps, also known as special camps, are funded by the Government of India, and are usually held in a village or a city suburb. Volunteers participate in the following activities in such camps:

1. Cleaning

2. Tree plantation

3. Street plays or skits related to issues like social problems, education, and cleanliness

4. Awareness rallies

5. Inviting doctors for health camps

6. Community survey

There are no predefined or pre assigned tasks in the camps and the volunteers are given full autonomy to provide service in any feasible way. Camps are usually conducted for the period of a week to 10 days, though camps for shorter periods are also conducted by NSS.

The Motto of NSS "Not Me But You", reflects the essence of democratic living and upholds the need for self-less service. NSS helps the students develop appreciation to other person's point of view and also show consideration to '/other living beings. The philosophy of the NSS is well doctrined in this motto, which underlines/on the belief that the welfare .of an individual is ultimately dependent on the welfare of the society on the whole and therefore, the NSS volunteers shall strive for the well-being of the society.

OBJECTIVES

(i) To make students understand their community

(ii)To make them understand themselves in relation to their community

(iii)To help them in developing a sense of social and civic responsibility

(iv)To help them in identifying the needs & problems of their community and finding feasible solutions

(v)To develop their competence required for collective existence and sharing of responsibilities

(vi)To enable them to acquire leadership qualities and democratic attitude

(vii) To develop their capacity to deal with emergencies and natural disasters

(viii) To assist them in strengthening national integration and social harmony

·         NSS Member List