NSS (National Service Scheme) Unit

NSS Programme Officer	Dr. P. S. Parimal
NSS Programme Officer	Dr. L. C. Dumatkar
NSS Woman Programme Officer	Dr. Y. M. Gulhane
Unit Capacity	200 Students (Boys & Girls)

Introduction
The National Service Scheme (NSS) is an Indian government sponsored public service program conducted by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government of India. National Service Scheme (NSS) was introduced in 1969 with 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. The ideological orientation of the NSS is inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi. An NSS volunteer places the ‘community’ before ‘self’. Popularly known as NSS, the scheme was launched in Gandhiji's Centenary year, 1969, aimed at developing student's 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 service, get a sense of involvement in the tasks of nation building.

Motto:

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’ development & appreciation to other person's point of view and also show consideration towards other living beings. The philosophy of the NSS is a good doctrine in this motto, which underlines on the belief that the welfare of an individual is ultimately dependent on the welfare of the society as a whole and therefore, the NSS volunteers shall strive for the well-being of the society.

NSS Logo:

The logo for the NSS has been based on the giant Rath Wheel of the world famous Konark Sun Temple (The Black Pagoda) situated in Orissa, India. The Red & Blue colors contained in the logo motivate the NSS Volunteers to be active & energetic for the nation-building social activities. The wheel portrays the cycle of creation, preservation and release and signifies the movement in life across time and space. The wheel thus stands for continuity as well as change and implies the continuous striving of NSS for social change.

NSS Badge:

The NSS logo is embossed on the badge of NSS. The eight bars in the wheel of NSS logo represent the 24 hours of a day. The red colour indicates that the volunteer is full of young blood that is lively, active, energetic and full of high spirit. The navy blue colour indicates the cosmos of which the NSS is tiny part, ready to contribute its share for the welfare of the mankind.

Aim
The programme aims to inculcate social welfare in students, and to provide service to society without bias. NSS volunteers work to ensure that everyone who is needy gets help to enhance their standard of living and lead a life of dignity. In doing so, volunteers learn from people in villages how to lead a good life despite a scarcity of resources. it also provides help in natural and man-made disasters by providing food,clothing and first aid to the disaster victims.

Objectives
The broad objectives 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 problems;
• 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
• To practice national integration and social harmony.

NSS Awards
To recognize the voluntary service rendered by NSS volunteers, Programme Officers (PO's), NSS Units and the University NSS Cells, it has been proposed to provide suitable incentives/ awards under the scheme. Awards include:

• NSS National Award
• State level awards
• University level awards
• District level awards
• College level awards

NSS RD Parade Camp

Government of India, the then Ministry of Human Resource Development conducted the first Republic Day Camp of NSS Volunteers in 1988 at New Delhi. Now the NSS is being run by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. Right from the beginning, these Republic Day Parade Camps have been proved a boon for the personality development of NSS Volunteers of the country. The volunteers are imparted training in leadership development and (March-Past) parade apart from organising various socio-cultural programmes. As the participants from all states & UTs participate in this camp, the NSS R.D.Camp replicates a MINI INDIA to the nation’s capital from 1st-31st January every year. It provides ample opportunities to the NSS volunteers not only to interact among themselves but also to learn and know the tradition, custom, culture, language of one state to another. These volunteers, after a month long stay together in the camp, become capable to present themselves in the more better way and constitute a bond of patriotism, national integration, brotherhood, communal harmony which is the ultimate goal of the camp. The day in R.D. Camp begins in early morning from 6 AM and extends upto 10 PM. In includes Morning Assembly, Shramdan, Yoga, Physical Training, Community Singing, Parade Practice, Lectures, Discussions, Quiz, Debate and evening Cultural programmes. The camp is managed entirely by the NSS Officials, student volunteers and contingent leaders. The participation in Republic Day Parade on 26th January is considered as a matter of great pride for the student youth.  It is also treated as a recognition of the selfless community service rendered by the NSS volunteers throughout the country.

Criteria for Selection:

• Should be a regular student and bonafide NSS Volunteersof any NSS Unit at College level
• Should have attended the orientation programme of NSS
• Should have participated in at least one Special camp
• Culturally Sound
• Capable of team building & leadership
• Capable to cope up with the camping atmosphere
• Physically fit
• Capable to undergo a rigorous physical & drill training
• Well disciplined
• Height for male volunteers between 166 cms to 175 cms & for female volunteers 155 cms to 166 cms
• The volunteers should be unmarried