National Service Scheme

Introduction

A Scheme sponsored by Ministry of Human Resource Development , Department of India, Department of Youth Affairs. National Service Scheme (NSS) is a Noble experiment in academic expansion. It inculcates the spirit of voluntary work among the students and teachers through sustained community interactions. It brings our academic institution closer to society. It shows how to combine knowledge and action to achieve result, which are desirable for community development. NSS is a permanent student youth programme of the Govt. of India and the expenditure is shared by the central & State Governments in the ratio 7:5.

History and Growth of NSS:

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. 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 higher material and moral level”.

During the year 1950,The University Grants Commission headed by Dr. Radhakrishnan recommended introduction of national service in the academic institutions on a voluntary basis with a view to develop healthy contact between the students and teachers on the one hand and establishing a constructive linkage between the campus and the community on the other hand. In the draft , First Five Year plan adopted by the Government of India in 1952, the need for Social and Labour Service for Students for One Year was further stressed.

In 1958, then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru mooted the idea of having social service as a prerequisite for graduation.
In 1959, a draft outline of the scheme was placed before the Education Minister’s conference. The Conference was Unanimous about the urgent need for trying out a workable scheme for national service.

A National Service Committee was appointed under the Chairmanship of Dr.D.Deshmukh on August 28, 1959 to make concrete suggestions that national service for a period of nine months to a year may be made compulsory for all students completing high school education and intending to enroll themselves in a college or a university.

In 1960, Prof. K.G.Saiyidain studied national service by students implemented in several countries of the world and submitted his report under the title “ National Service for the Youth “ to the government with a number of recommendations as to what could be done in India to develop a feasible scheme of social service by students.

The Education Commission headed by Dr.D.S.Kothari (1964 -66) recommended that students at all stages of education should be associated with some form of social service. This was taken into account by the State Education Ministers during their conference in April 1967 and they recommended that at the university stage, students could be permitted to join the National Cadet Corps (NCC) which was already in existence on a voluntary basis and an alternative to this could be offered to them in the form of a new programme called the National Service Scheme (NSS).

In May, 1969, a Conference of the students’ representatives of the universities and institutions of higher learning convened by the Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission also unanimously declared that national service could be a powerful instrument for national integration. It could be used to introduce urban students to rural life.

On September 24, 1969, the Union Education Minister DR.V.K.R.V. Rao, launched the NSS programme in 37 universities covering all States.

Aims / Objectives

The overall objective of NSS is “Personality development of the students through Community service”.

The broad objectives of NSS are to arouse the student’s social conscience and to provide them with the opportunity to:-
 

		Understand the community in which they work.
		Understand themselves in relation to their community.
		Identify the needs and problems of the community and involve them in problem solving process.
		Develop among themselves a sense of social and civic responsibility.
		Utilize their knowledge in finding practical solution and civic responsibility.
		Develop competence required for group living and sharing of responsibilities.
		Gain skills in mobilizing community participation.
		Acquire leadership qualities and democratic attitude.
		Develop capacity to meet emergencies and natural disasters.
		Practice national integration and social harmony

The Motto

The motto or watchword of the National Service Scheme is “ NOT ME BUT YOU” this reflects the essence of democratic living and upholds the need for selfless services 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 is the aim of NSS to demonstrate this motto in our day-to –day programme.

NSS Symbol

The symbol of the National Service Scheme is the ‘Rath wheel of the Konark Sun Temple’ situated 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 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 upliftment.

NSS Badge

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 represents the 24 hours of the day. Hence, the badge reminds the wearer to be in readiness for service of the nation round the clock i.e. for 24 hours. The Red colour in the badge indicates that the NSS volunteers are full of blood 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 the mankind.

NSS Day

NSS was formally launched on 24th September, 1969, the birth centenary year of the Father of the nation. Therefore, 24th September is celebrated every year as NSS Day with appropriate programmes and activities.

The main objective of NSS programme is to prepare the NSS volunteers for the democratic, self-disciplined and self-reliant way of life. It is, therefore, of vital importance that the NSS units are organized and run on democratic lines. The student leaders, NSS leaders, NSS volunteers and other members of the staff and eminent personalities from the community are also to be associated with it. They should be encouraged to participate in planning, execution and evaluation of NSS programme.

Approach
Campus & Community
College & Village
Knowledge & Action
Laboratory & Life
Book & broom
Pen & pickaxe

Composition of NSS unit:

One NSS unit consists of 100 student volunteers under the guidance of a teacher in-charge called “Programme Officer, NSS”. Besides dayscholars (Regular), hostelites (Regular& Self-Finance) and Self-Finance dayscholars (Who have their classes in the morning) can enroll themselves in NSS.

Enrollment of NSS Volunteers

Any student enrolled as NSS volunteer should put in least 120 hours of social work in a year for a continuous period of two year; i.e. 240 hours in two years , on different programmes. She should participate fully in the NSS.
Programmes are should be fully conversant with the objectives of the NSS.

DETAILS OF UNITS

The College presently (2007-2008) has 7 NSS units.
The unit numbers are 39,40,41,42,43,44, 211.
Each unit has its own adopted village.
The following are the seven adopted villages.

* New vilangudi
* Old vilangudi
* Karisal kulam
* Vishalakshi mills colony
* Paravai
* Kondayampatti
* Kondamari
Each unit has 100 volunteers in it

Details of Unit from report:

In the 1st year, the 120 hours of service which each students volunteer is categorized as follows.In the 1st year, each volunteer is expected to participate in various programmes in the following manner:
Orientation Programme 20hrs

Awareness Programme
AIDS
Drug Abuse 10hrs
First Aid

Literacy Programme 20hrs

Village Visit 10hrs

Blood Donation/ Free Eye/
Free Medical Camp 10hrs

Rallies – Peace/ Cycle 10hrs
Celebration of National Festivals and Observance Of Significant days 10hrs

Campus Cleaning 10hrs
Scribe writing  20hrs

II year volunteer is expected to engage herself in the NSS activities as Follows:

Awareness Programme
- AIDS 20hrs
- Topical Social issues
- Human Rights

Literacy Programme/ Scribe writing 20hrs
Village Visit 20hrs

Blood Donation /Free Eye /Free Medical Camp 20 hrs
Rallies- Peace/ Cycle 20hrs
Celebration of National Festivals & Observance of Significant days 20hrs 10- day special Camp

Besides these, the NSS volunteers are expected to render their service during moments of crisis, natural calamities and national disasters by mobilizing Public support in assisting and rehabilitating the affected.

VOLUNTEER’S CODE OF CONDUCT

General discipline
 

	Each Volunteer is expected to participate in all the activities expected of her and strive towards personality development.
	Volunteers should maintain silence in all the programmes organized in and outside the campus.
	During village visit, rallies and campus programme volunteers shall behave themselves in such a manner as to safeguard dignity of womanhood and fame of the College.
	Volunteers are not permitted to carry mobile phones with them.
	They must keep a day-to day record of their activities experience in the pages enclose in the programme officer for periodic guidance.
	It is obligatory for every NSS volunteer to wear their identity card while they are working.

Dress Code

In accordance with the dress code of the College, Volunteers are expected to wear modest clothes.

Fund Raising

No private funds or sale of items must be made without the approval of the Principal.

NSS Certificate
Only those volunteers who have put in 240 hrs of work continuously for two years in the manner expected of her will be recommended for a certificate and issued the same.

Note: Any candidate appearing for an interview at a Government office for seeking admission to B.Ed., Colleges will get 5 marks extra if she possesses an NSS Certificate.

Programme Officer’s Name List.
 

Mrs. A.Vimala, Plot No.8A, Kanakku Pillai ST, Opp Fatima College, Madurai – 18. Cell: 9486949158 Phone No: 2668562, Mrs.S.Selvi, South St, Near Thai Metric School, T.Vadipatti, Madurai – 18. Cell: 92451 99375 Mrs.I Jeya Sheela 6 St, Varun, PARSN Apartments Madurai – 18 Cell: 9245199375

Mrs. D.Gayathri Devi 15 /103 Vivekananda Nagar Pykara Madurai – 4 Cell: 9842387208 Phone No: 2370659 Ms. P. Sakthi Devi Sembangadu Devanagoundaur (P.O) Sankari (T.K) Salem (D.T) Cell: 999469202 Mrs. G. Revathy D/O.Mr.Ganeshan Arivagam T.VAdi Ratti – 625218. Phone No : 954543 - 293660

Mrs. Priti Latha
18, Thirupurkumaran salai,
Seetha Lakshmi Nagar,
Madurai – 17
Cell: 9994657313
Phone No; 2643076

NSS Regular Activities:
Any students enrolled as NSS volunteer should put in at least 120 hours of social work in a year for a continuous period of two years, on different programmes other than special camp. She should participate fully in the NSS programmes and should be fully conversant with the objectives of NSS.

(I) Orientation of the volunteers: To get the NSS volunteers acquainted with the basics of NSS programmes, 20 hours are allocated for their orientation through lectures, discussion, field visits and audio-visuals etc, in the following manner:
General Orientation:2 hours
Special Orientation:8 hours
Programme skill learning:10 hours

The student volunteer needs :
To Establish rapport with the people in the project area;
Identify needs, problems and resources of the community;
Plan programmes and carry out the plans.
Relate her learning and experience to wards finding solutions to the problems identified; and
Record the activities in her work diary systematically and assess the progress periodically and effects changes, as and when needed.

(ii) Campus work: The NSS volunteers may be involved in the projects undertaken for the benefit of the institution and students concerned. Such projects cover development of play grounds, laying of gardens, tree plantation in the premises, awareness programmes on drug-abuse, AIDS, population education, career guidance and other projects.

(iii) The remaining 70 hours will be utilized for community service on the projects in adopted villages/ urban slums independently or in collaboration with other in this field,

a) Institutional work: The students may be placed with selected voluntary organizations working for the welfare of women, children, aged and disabled outside the campus.

b) Rural Projects: The Rural projects generally include the working of NSS volunteers in adopted villages for eradication of illiteracy, water shed management and wasteland development, agriculture operations, health nutrition, hygiene, sanitation, mother and child care, family life education, gender justice, development of rural cooperatives, savings drives, construction of rural roads, campaign against social evils etc.

c) Urban projects: In addition to rural projects other include adult education welfare of slum dwellers, training in civil defense, traffic control, setting up first aid posts, work in hospitals, orphanages, destitute home, and environment.

d) National Days and Celebrations: The national service scheme programmes also include the celebration of national days. The purpose of such a provision is to celebrate such occasions in a befitting manner.

Significant events of the year(2007-2008)
Scribe Writing
Sending Volunteers to St .Joseph’s and St. Britto Hr.sec. school to help visually challenged students to appear for their tests/exams.
 

	Inauguration of Part-IV activities
	Organisation of Blood Donation Camp (with Govt. Rajaji Hospital.) – twice in the Campus.
	Organisation of free Eye/Medical/ Skin Diabetic/Veterinary Camps at one of the adopted villages.
	Campus Work Maintenance of the college Libraries (Regular& S.F.) Campus Cleaning (Parking Place, Play ground)
	Commemoration of World Peace Day, NSS Day , World Literacy Day , Inter-religious Harmony Day , World AIDS Day , Human Rights Day , International Women’s Day , Youth Day
	Participation in Independence and Republic Day celebrations at MKU.
	National Integration week Celebration on the campus and in the adopted villages
	World AIDS Day celebration on on the campus and in the adopted villages
	NSS 10- Day special Camp.  Cycle Rallies (Awareness Campaign for Literacy , Cleanliness , National Integration)  Free Medical Camps (General, Eye, Skin, Dental, Diabeties) Sapling Plantation Guest Lecture on First Aid , Alternative medicines,  Childcare , Nutrition,
	AIDS Awareness , Science for daily life.  Literacy Programme  Rural Project (Cleaning PHC, leveling the roads)  Awareness Programmes( Domestic Violence Act, Consumer Act , Right to information Act)

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