NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME

National Service Scheme (NSS)

The Education Commission 1964-66 popularly known as Kothari Commission rightly observed that the destiny of India is being shaped in her class rooms. This is not a mere rhetoric. In a world based on science and technology it is education that determines the level of prosperity, welfare and security of the people. On the quality and number of persons coming out of our schools and colleges will depend our success in the great enterprises of national reconstruction whose principal objective is to raise the standard of living of our people and the country as a whole. It is therefore, imperative that a close link is forged between the educational programme and the needs of the society. The Universities and Training institutions should identify themselves with the economic and social environment and develop a sense of commitment to the task of meeting the needs of the society. For this purpose the Education Commission recommended that some form of social and national service should be made obligatory for all students and should form an integral part of education at all stages. The Commission hoped that this would become an instrument to build character, improve discipline, inculcate faith in the dignity of manual labour and develop a sense of social responsibility. To sum up, the main aim of the National Service Scheme is to provide opportunities to the teachers and students to gain valuable practical experience from such service and to break down the walls that now divide institutions of learning from the life of the common people.

OBJECTIVES OF THE NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME

The overall aim of National Service Scheme as envisaged earlier, is to give an extension dimension to the higher education system and orient the student youth to community service while they are studying in educational

institution. The reason for the formulation of this objective is the general realization that the college and +2 level students have a tendency to get alienated from the village/slum masses which constitute the majority of the population of the country. The educated youth who are expected to take the reins of administration in future are found to be unaware of the problems of the village/slum community and in certain cases are indifferent towards their needs and problems. Therefore, it is necessary to arouse the social conscience of the students, and to provide them an opportunity to work with the people in the villages and slums. It has been felt that the primary aim of the scheme is to enable the students to develop their personality and experience through community service. Its end is the improvement of personality while service to the community is a means through which such improvement is sought to be achieved. The objective of

the scheme, as restated is, therefore, “development of the personality of the students through community service”. This objective is sought to be achieved by enabling the students to;

(i) understand the community in which they work;

(ii) understand themselves in relation to their community;

(iii) identify the needs and problems of the community and involve them

in problem solving process;

(iv) develop among themselves a sense of social and civic responsibility;

(v) utilize their knowledge in finding practical solution to individual and

community problems;

(vi) develop competence required for group-living and sharing of

responsibilities;

(vii) gain skills in mobilizing community participation;

(viii) acquire leadership qualities and democratic attitude;

(ix) develop capacity to meet emergencies and natural disasters and

(x) practice national integration and social harmony.

BASIC CONCEPTS AND COMPONENTS

The National Service Scheme was started to establish a meaningful linkage between the campus and the community. Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, had recognized that the country could not progress in a desired direction until the student youth were motivated to work for the upliftment of the villages/community. For Gandhiji the villages, where majority of the population lived, represent the country i.e. India. Therefore, for the national reconstruction and national resurgence it was deemed fit that the students and teachers should be properly sensitized and utilized for strengthening the Indian society as a whole with particular emphasis on rural community.

Therefore, student youth, teachers and the community are considered the three basic components of the National Service Scheme.

Aims of NSS Programmes/Activities

The operational aim of NSS is to integrate the three basic components of the programme. NSS programme should provide a variety of learning experiences which must develop a sense of participation, service and achievement among the volunteer. The activities should aim at the following.

(i) Making education more relevant to the present situation to meet the felt needs of the community and supplement the education of the university college students by bringing them face to face with the rural situation;

(ii) Providing opportunities to the students to play their role in planning and executing development projects which would not only help in creating durable community assets in rural areas and urban slums but also results in the improvement of quality of life of the economically and socially weaker sections of the community.

(iii) Encouraging students and non-students to work together along with the adults in rural areas.

(iv) Developing qualities of leadership by discovering the latent potential among the campers, both students as well as local youth (Rural and Urban), with a view to involve them more intimately in the development programme and also to ensure proper maintenance of the assets created during the camps.

(v) Emphasizing dignity of labour and self-help and the need for combining physical work with intellectual pursuits;

(vi) Encouraging youth to participate enthusiastically in the process of national development and promote national integration, through corporate living and co-operative action.

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 or selfless service and appreciation of the other person’s point of view and also to show consideration for fellow human beings.

NSS Symbol

The symbol of the National Service Scheme is based on the ‘Rath’ wheel of the Konark Sun Temple situated in Orissa. The giant wheels of the Sun Temple portray the cycle of creation, preservation, 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 on the part of the NSS for continuous strivingforward for social transformation and upliftment.

NSS Volunteer

The NSS volunteer, who is a college/+2 level student is the main beneficiary of the programme by way of development of his/her perception about the community, his/ her skills to perform certain jobs, and develop quality of a leader, organizer and an administrator and development of his/her personality as a whole. Through NSS, he/ _she gets opportunities

to see the community closely and thus gets an experience of human nature in relation to his/her environment. This is how the NSS programme aims to make NSS student youth better citizens through “Development of their Personality through Community Service”.

NSS at IPC, Pezhakkappilly

Our college created a NSS units , under NSS Technical Cell Kerala with 50 volunteers, Every year 50 volunteers can be enrolled and they contribute the nation building activities thereby benefiting themselves in the process of personality development through social service. The NSS activities of our college are coordinated by Programme Officer;

Mr. Saeed Shamily K S and Asst. Programme Officers Mr. Arun M. C. and Mrs. Mumtas Younus.

Regards

Mr. JIBIN JOSE

NSS Programme Officer

Ilahia Polytechnic College, Pezhakkappilly.