NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME (NSS)

Popularly known as NSS, the scheme was launched in Gandhiji’s Centenary year, 1969 aimed at developing students’ personality through community service. NSS is a voluntary association of young people in Colleges, Universities and at +2 level working for a campus-community linkage.The cardinal principle of the NSS Programme is that it is organized by the students themselves, and both students and teachers through their combined participation in community services. It gives a sense of involvement in the tasks of nation building to the participants which go a long way in transforming them into aware and responsible citizens of the country.

NEED OF NSS

After independence, the University Grants Commission, headed by Dr. SarvepalliRadhakrishnan, recommended the introduction of voluntary national service in academic institutions. This idea was again considered by the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) in its meeting on January, 1950. Following rigorous examination of the ideas and experiences of other countries in this field, the board recommended that students and teachers should devote time to voluntary manual work. In the draft of the 1stFive-Year Plan adopted by the government in 1952, the need for social and labour service by Indian students for one year was stressed upon. In 1958, Jawaharlal Nehru, in a letter to the Chief Ministers, expressed the idea of social service as a prerequisite for graduation. Accordingly, he directed the Ministry of Education to formulate a suitable scheme for the introduction of National Service in academic institutions across the country. Currently, the National Service Scheme (NSS) is a Central Sector Scheme of Government of India, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

MOTTO OF NSS

The motto of National Service Scheme is ‘NOT ME BUT YOU’. This reflects the essence of democratic living and upholds the need for selfless service and appreciation of the other person’s point of view and also to show consideration for fellow human beings. It underlines that the welfare of an individual is ultimately dependent on the welfare of society on the whole. Therefore, it should be the aim of the NSS to demonstrate this motto in its day-to-day programmes.

NSS SYMBOL

The symbol of the National Service Scheme, as seen on the right-hand side, is based on the ‘ Rath ‘ or wheel of the Sun Temple, Konark in Orissa. These giant wheels of the Sun Temple portray the cycle of creation, preservation and release, and signify the movement in life across time and space. The design of the symbol, a simplified form of the Sun-chariot wheel which primarily depicts movement. The wheel signifies the progressive cycle of life. It stands for continuity as well as change and implies the continuous striving of NSS for social transformation and

NSS BADGE

The NSS symbol is embossed on the NSS badge. The NSS volunteers wear it while undertaking any programme of community service. The Konark wheel, in the symbol, has eight bars which represent 24 hours of the day. Hence, the badge reminds the wearer to be in readiness for service to the nation round the clock i.e., for 24 hours. The red colour in the badge indicates that the NSS volunteers are imbibed with attributes that are bold i.e., lively, active energetic and full of high spirit. The navy blue colour indicates the cosmos of which the NSS is a tiny part, ready to contribute its share for the welfare of mankind.

NSS DAY

NSS was formally launched on 24th September, 1969, the birth centenary year of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Therefore, 24thSeptember is celebrated every year as NSS Day with several programmes and activities.

Objectives

• To enable the students to understand the community in which they work;
• To understand themselves in relation to their community;
• To identify the needs and problems in the community in the solution of which they can be involved;
• To develop among themselves a sense of social and civic responsibility;
• To apply their education in finding practical solution to individual and community problems;
• To develop competence required for group living and sharing responsibilities;
• Gain skills in mobilizing community participation;
• To acquire leadership qualities and democratic attitude;
• To develop capacity to meet emergencies and national disasters;
• To practice national integration.

 

 

2018-19

2021-2022

2022-23