In news
Recently, the President of India conferred the National Service Scheme awards for the year 2018-19 on 24th September 2020
A brief note on the NSS award
- The NSS Award for the year 2018-19 was presented to 42 awardees in three different categories like University, NSS Units and their Programme Officers and NSS Volunteers.
- The Department of Youth Affairs confers the National Service Scheme Award every year to recognize and reward outstanding contributions towards voluntary community service.
About the National Service Scheme
What is the National Service Scheme?
National Service Scheme, popularly known as NSS is an extension of activities to the higher education system to orient the student youth to community service while they are studying in educational institutions, under the aegis of Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
Establishment
- NSS is a Central Sector Scheme which was launched on 24th September, 1969 by the then Education Minister Dr. V.K. R.V. Rao in 37 universities with 40,000 NSS Volunteers covering all States.
- It was launched with the primary objective of developing the personality and character of the student youth through voluntary community service.
- The ideological orientation of the NSS is inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.
Motto of NSS
The Motto or watchword of the National Service Scheme if “NOT ME BUT YOU”.
Aims & Objective of NSS are:
- To understand the community in which they work
- To understand themselves in relation to their community
- To identify the needs and problems of the community and involve them in problem solving process.
- To develop among themselves a sense of social and civic responsibility
- To utilize their knowledge in finding practical solution to individual and community problem
- To develop competence required for group-living and sharing of responsibilities
- To gain skills in mobilizing community participation
- To acquire leadership qualities and democratic attitude
- To develop capacity to meet emergencies and natural disasters; and
- To practice national integration and social Harmony
Overall objective
Development of Student’s personality through community service.
More on NSS
- The NSS volunteers work on issues of social relevance, which keep evolving in response to the needs of the community, through regular and special camping activities.
- Such issues include literacy and education, health, family welfare and nutrition, environment conservation, social service programmes, rescue and relief during calamities.
- NSS symbol: The NSS symbol is based on the Rath wheel of the Konark Sun Temple situated in Odisha. The giant wheels portray the cycle of creation, preservation and release, and signify the movement in life across time and space.
- Principal elements of NSS: There are four principal elements in the NSS programme process; they are Students, Teachers, Community and the programme.
Source: All India Radio & NSS
