The Social Service: NSS
ational service scheme abbreviated as NSS was founded in the year 1969 with
Ninitially more than 37 universities and numerous collages. It is an Indian governmentsponsored public service program conducted by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government of India. The year 1969, noted as the Centenary birth year of father of our nation Mahatma Gandhi, was selected as the year when the starting of a new civilization – civilization of the NSS members could take place. Also It was appropriate that the program was started during the Gandhi Centenary Year as it was Gandhi ji who inspired the Indian youth to participate in the movement for Indian independence and the social uplift of the downtrodden masses of our nation. NSS members were given one and only one motto“ not ME, not YOU, BUT WE”. 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 program 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..
The NSS or the national service scheme got its roots since year 1950 when after independence the University Grants Commission, headed by S. Radhakrishnan, recommended the introduction of voluntary national service in academic institutions. In the
34
following years, a draft outline of this scheme was placed before a conference of state education ministers. And hence by curious churning of data and moralities NSS came into existence. Prior to NSS, NCC i. e. national cadet corps was already formed as a voluntary basis organization concentration on improving the discipline and toughness of the candidates. But NSS was initiated with a different view, a view which 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.
The program 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 manmade disasters by providing food, clothing and first aid to the disaster victims. Today, NSS has more than 3.2 million student volunteers on its roll spread over 298 Universities and 42(+ 2) Senior Secondary Councils and Directorate of Vocational Education all over the country. More than 3.7 hundred million members are actively participating and enhancing their abilities and improving them for the good of the country. It is a duty we must do, an order we must obey. As it is“ not for me, not for you but it is for us” as the motto of NSS says- Not me, not you, but we.
-Dr. Ratnesh Tiwari Coordinator of NSS, BIT, Raipur