National Service Scheme (NSS)

NSS UNIT, PROFILE, SARAIGHAT COLLEGE

What Is NSS:

NSS means National Service Scheme. It is an Indian Government sponsored social service scheme of students run by Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Govt. of India. NSS was formally launched on 24th Sept, 1969, the birth centenary year of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Nation, to whom social service was almost religion. Therefore, 24th Sept, is Celebrated every year as NSS Day, with appropriate programmes and activities.

The Motto:

The Motto of NSS is "NOT ME BUT YOU". This reflects the essence of democratic living, selfless service and appreciation of other persons and also to show consideration for fellow human beings. The welfare of an individual is ultimately dependent on the welfare of society as a whole.

Aims of NSS:

The aim of NSS is development of personality, leadership and confidence of students through community service. The programmes are aimed at instilling discipline, building character, promotion of physical fitness and development of culture. It provides a variety of learning experiences which must develop a sense of participation, service and achievement among the volunteers.

Goal of NSS:

The goal of NSS is education through Community Service and Community Service through Education.

NSS Symbol:

The symbol of NSS is based on the “RATH” wheel of the Konark Sun Temple situated in Orissa. The wheel portrays the cycle of creation, preservation and release. The eight bars in the wheel represents 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 a tiny part, ready to contribute its share for the welfare of mankind.

Objectives of NSS:

The overall objectives of NSS are development of student’s personality through Community Service.
The Broad Objectives are:

1. To understand the community in which they work.
2. To understand themselves in relation to their community.
3. To identify the needs and problems of the community and involve them in problem solving process.
4. To develop among themselves a sense of social and civic responsibility.
5. To utilise their knowledge in finding practical solution to individual and community problems.
6. To develop competence required for group living and sharing of responsibilities.
7. To gain skills in mobilising community participation.
8. To acquire leadership qualities and democratic attitude.
9. To develop capacity to meet emergencies and natural disasters.
10. To practice national integration and social harmony.

NSS UNIT OF SARAIGHAT COLLEGE:

The NSS unit of Saraighat college was introduced in August 2004. A draft outline of the scheme was recommended by the college Governing Body (dated: 30/10/2003) and was placed before the Programme Co-ordinator of Gauhati University, Assam. The college got provisional permission on 16-12-2003 for opening a NSS Unit in the institution. From that day onwards, the NSS unit has been running smoothly in the college. In the year 2021, the college has received permission for opening the 2nd Unit of NSS.

Advisory Committee of NSS, SARAIGHAT COLLEGE

1. Dr Mani Sarma, Principal,	Chairman
2. Dr Balendra Patgiri	Programme Officer
3. Dr Bhanu Hazarika	Asst. Programme Officer
4. Dr Dhaneswar Kalita	Member
5. Dr Kanika Medhi	Member
6. Dr Anamika Deka	Member
7. Mr Nagen Ch. Nath Office Assistant	Member
8. Mr. Subhas Boro	Member
9. Students volunteers	• Chinmoy Deka (GL) • Rajdeep Namah Sarma (GL) • Gitanjali Boro (GL) • Pinki Boro (GL)

NSS PROGRAMMES

NSS activities have been divided into two groups-
(A) Regular Activities
(B) Special Camping Programme

A. REGULAR ACTIVITIES

1. Every year 3-4 days of Orientation Programme of NSS volunteers are held through programme lectures, discussion, etc. (For 20 hours)
2. CAMPUS ACTIVITIES : (For 30 hours)
   1. Tree plantation programme
   2. Awareness programme on AlDS, drug-abuse
   3. Development of play ground
   4. Cleanliness drives for at least 2 days in a year
   5. Swachchata Abhijan
   6. Swachchata pakhwada
   7. Celebration of NSS day (24th Sept.)
   8. Celebration of Gandhi Jayanti (2nd October)
   9. Celebration of Republic Day (26th January)
   10. Celebration of Independence Day (15th August)
   11. Celebration of World Environment Day (5th June)
   12. Celebration of World AIDs Day (1st December)
   13. Relief work during Natural Calamities
   14. Free health Check-up Camps
   15. Yoga and Meditation
   16. Celebration of National Pollution Day (2nd Dec.)
   17. Celebration of National Youth Day (12th Jan.)
   18. Celebration of National Girl Child Day (24th Jan.)
   19. Celebration of Shaheedi Diwas, Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (23rd March)
   20. Celebration of International Yoga Day. (21st June)

B. SPECIAL CAMPING PROGRAMME

NSS volunteers generally work with villagers, slum areas and voluntary agencies to complete 70 hours of regular activities during an academic year. So a particular village/slum is selected for implementation of NSS programmes. Special camping programme is an integral part of the NSS. It provides unique opportunities to the students for group living, collective experience sharing and interaction with community.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SPECIAL CAMPING PROGRAMME

1. Making education more relevant to the present situation to meet the felt needs of the communities.
2. To provide opportunities to students to play their due roles in the implementation of various development programme.
3. Improvement of the condition of weaker sections of the communities.
4. Encouraging the students and villagers to work along with the adults in their surrounding areas to develop their characters, social consciousness and commitment, discipline and health and helpful attitudes towards the community.
5. Building up potential youth leaders among the students as well as local youth.
6. Emphasising on the dignity of labour and family welfare.
7. Encouraging youth to participate in the process of national development.
8. To create consciousness about the preservation of cultural heritage among the community.

ADOPTED VILLAGE

SPECIAL CAMPING ACTIVITIES

The NSS unit organizes various programmes and activities in the adopted village during the 7 days special camping programme with the help of local community. Some activities are as follows-

1. Tree plantation, their preservation and up keep.
2. Construction and cleanliness programmes of streets, drains, playground etc. with the help of local communities.
3. Create consciousness about the preservation of cultural heritage among the community.
4. Child development programme: Art and drawing competition, poetry recitation, discipline and character building etc.
5. Health education and health care.
6. AIDs and drug-abuse awareness.
7. Awareness on cancer and other diseases.
8. Awareness programme on women empowerment.
9. Population control and family welfare programme.
10. Door to door visit by the volunteers.
11. Identification of community's problems and needs.
12. Encouraging the women to empower the village economy and social well being.
13. Encouraging the community about the benefits of small saving schemes.
14. Free health check-up by GNRC Medicos.
15. Yoga and Meditation
16. Awareness programme on Covid-19
17. Swachchta Abhiyan.
18. Cleanliness Drive

FUTURE PLANS & PROGRAMMES

i) Environmental sanitation, and disposal of garbage & compositing.
ii) Programme of mass immunization.
iii) Programme of safe and clean drinking water.
iv) Integrated child development & nutrition programme.
v) Blood donation camp.
vi) To conduct surveys on social problems.
vii) To enact a street drama on the theme of social problems and evils.
viii) Programme on life style education and career counselling.
ix) Health, hygiene and nutrition programme among students and communities.
x) Project for eradication of illiteracy among rural populace.
xi) Creation of NSS Parks/gardens (Tarun Treveni Vanas)
xii) Programme of women like education, health and hygiene, rights and status in the society.