NSS DAY(NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME) DAY- SEPTEMBER 24

 

NSS DAY(NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME) DAY-

SEPTEMBER 24

National Service Scheme (NSS) Day in India on September 24.NSSDay is celebrated every year in India on 24 September. It marks the official launch anniversary of the NationalServiceScheme (NSS), which was formally established on this day in 1969-the birth centenary year of MahatmaGandhi.Theme : Engage, Educate & Empower People to Enhance Safet

The National Service Scheme (NSS) is a Central Sector Scheme of Government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. It provides opportunity to the student youth of 11th & 12th Class of schools at +2 Board level and student youth of Technical Institution, Graduate & Post Graduate at colleges and University level of India to take part in various Government led community service activities & programmes. The primary objective of developing the personality and character of the student youth through voluntary community service. ‘Education through Service’ is the purpose of the NSS. NSS was launched in 1969 in 37 Universities involving about 40,000 volunteers which has now spread over 771Universities and 51 +2 Councils/Directorates, covering 29,593 Colleges/ Technical Institutions and 13,661 Senior Secondary School. Since inception , over 8.2 crore students have benefitted from NSS.All the youth volunteers who opt to serve the nation through the NSS led community service wear the NSS badge with pride and a sense of responsibility towards helping needy.The Konark wheel in the NSS badge having 8 bars signifies the 24 hours of a the day, reminding the wearer to be ready for the service of the nation round the clock i.e. for 24 hours.Red colour in the badge signifies energy and spirit displayed by the NSS volunteers.The Blue colour signifies the cosmos of which the NSS is a tiny part, ready to contribute its share for the welfare of the mankind.

A NSS volunteer who takes part in the community service programme would either be a college level or a senior secondary level student. Being an active member these student volunteers would have the exposure and experience to be the following:Active community service improves communication, empathy and problem-solving abilities.Volunteers gain the chance to organize grassroots events, handle logistics, and manage teams.Eligible volunteers can represent their state at the Nationallevel programs such as Republic Day Parade Camp in New Delhi, National YouthFestivals, National Integration Camp and Adventure Camps.Volunteers contribute directly to the development of adopted villages or urban slums.Participation in various national initiatives (like Swachh Bharat and Digital India) helps foster a democratic attitude and civic responsibility.

Major Activities:The camps are held every year which are attended by approximately 1500 NSS volunteers with at least 50% of the volunteers being girl students. These camps are conducted in Himalayan Region in the North and Arunachal Pradesh in North East region. The adventure activities undertaken in these camps includes trekking of mountains, water rafting, Para-sailing and basic skiing:

The first Republic Day Camp of NSS Volunteers was held in 1988. The camp takes place in Delhi between 1st and 31st January every year with 200 NSS selected volunteers who are good in discipline, March-past and cultural activities.A Contingent of selected NSS volunteers participates in the Republic Day Parade at Rajpath, New Delhi on 26th of January every year in accordance with the guidelines and requisition of the Ministry of Defence.

Prof. john kurakar