National Service Scheme (NSS)
Student's Welfare
National Service Scheme (NSS) has been introduced at Rani Laksmi Bai Central Agricultural University during academic year 2016-17 as a part of the academic programs of undergraduate students in the college of Agriculture as well as College of Horticulture & Forestry. Presently (2021-22), NSS cell of RLBCAU has six units with total volunteer’s intake capacity of 600 students.
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. 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. In India, the idea of involving students in the task of national service dates back to the times of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. The central theme which he tried to impress upon his student audience time and again, was that they should always keep before them, their social responsibility. The first duty of the students should be, not to treat their period of study as one of the opportunities for indulgence in intellectual luxury, but for preparing themselves for final dedication in the service of those who provided the sinews of the nation with the national goods & services so essential to society. Advising them to form a living contact with the community in whose midst their institution is located, he suggested that instead of undertaking academic research about economic and social disability, the students should do “something positive so that the life of the villagers might be raised to a higher material and moral level”.
Aims and objectives of National Service Scheme:
The objective of the National Service Scheme is “Development of the personality of students through community service”. This objective is sought to be achieved by enabling the students to work in community. 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.
The main objectives of National Service Scheme (NSS) are:
- 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 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 solutions to individual and community problems
- To gain skills in mobilizing community participation
- To acquire leadership qualities and democratic attitude
Motto of National Service Scheme: 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.
Nature of activities under NSS: NSS volunteers work on issues of social relevance, which keep evolving in response to the needs of community through regular and special camping activities. Such activities includes literacy and non-formal education, tree plantation, cleanliness (Swachh Bharat Mission), health & well-being programme, family welfare awareness, first aid awareness, blood donation, anti-drug addiction drives, environmental conservation, AIDS awareness, advocating advanced agricultural practice, disaster management, women empowerment, road safety, social service programmes, National Integration/Communal Harmony Programmes, Plastics eradication, improvement of campus etc. These activities and some other activities also received on regular basis from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports through NSS, Regional Directorate and NSS, State Nodal Officer, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Special Camp of NSS:
NSS unit organises a special camp of 7 days duration in adopted villages with some specific them by involving the local communities. Each volunteer is required to participate in a special camp once during the 2-year period.
Eligibility criteria for Certificate:
A student should have completed a minimum of two years of volunteer-ship in NSS programme. Each NSS Volunteer is required to complete 120 hrs in a year for two years i.e. 240 hrs regular activities and seven days special camp in adopted village. He/ She should have participated in at least one Special Camping Programme. His/hers academic performance and attendance should meet the academic regulations of university.
Benefit of Students/ NSS volunteers:
- It provides diversified opportunities to students in colleges and universities to develop their personality through community service.
- It developer a sense of involvement in the task of nation building.
- Volunteer’s interaction with the slum dwellers and villagers expose them to the realities of life and bring about a change in their social perception.
- It helps in developing positive attitude, self-confidence, courage & patience.
- He/she gets the opportunity to participate in various National / State level programme such as National Integration, Pre-RD parade camp, NSS mega camp, Motivational Lamps, National youth festival, cultural programmes etc.
- NSS volunteer completing 240 hours of regular community service in a period of two years to be issued an NSS certificate by the College/University.
