About

After independence the University Grants Commission, headed by S. Radhakrishnan, recommended the introduction of voluntary national service in academic institutions. This idea was again considered by the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) at its meeting in January, 1950; after examining the idea and the experiences of other countries in this field, the board recommended that students and teachers should devote time to voluntary manual work. In the draft first Five-Year Plan adopted by the government in 1952, the need for social and labour service by Indian students for one year was stressed. In 1958 Jawaharlal Nehru, in a letter to the chief ministers, considered the idea of social service as a prerequisite for graduation. He directed the Ministry of Education to formulate a suitable scheme for the introduction of national service into academicinstitutions.

Initiation

Later, the Education Commission (headed by D.S. Kothari from 1964–1966) recommended that students at every stage of education should be associated with some form of social service. This was taken into account by the state education ministers during their April 1967 conference; they recommended that university students could join the National Cadet Corps. (NCC) (Which was already inexistence on a voluntary basis) or the new National Service Scheme. Promising athletes, however, should be exempted from both and allowed to join another scheme: the National Sports Organization (NSO). The September 1969 Vice Chancellors' Conference welcomed this recommendation, and suggested that a special committee of vice-chancellors could examine the question in detail. In a government statement of national policy on education, it was stated that work experience and national service should be an integral part of education.

Launch of National Service Scheme:

In May 1969, a conference of student representatives (of universities and institutions of higher education) convened by the Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission also unanimously agreed that a national-service scheme could be an instrument for national integration. The details were soon worked out and the Planning Commission sanctioned an outlay of Rs. five crores for the NSS during the Fourth Five-Year Plan, stipulating that the NSS be a pilot project in select institutions and universities. On 24 September 1969, then-Union Education Minister V.K.R.V. Rao launched the NSS at 37 universities in all states. The scheme has been extended to all states and universities in the country, and also +2-level institutes in many states.

Our Aims and objectives:

• Understand the Community in which they work.

• Understand themselves in relation to their Community.

• Identify the needs & problems of the Community and involve them in problem solving process.

• Develop among them a sense of social and civic responsibility.

• Utilize their knowledge their finding practical solutions to individual & community problems.

• Develop competence required for group living and sharing of responsibilities.

• Gain skill in mobilizing community participation.

• Acquire leadership qualities and democratic attitude.

• Develop capacity to meet emergencies and natural disaster.

• Practice national integration and society harmony.

• The educational goal of the NSS implies that besides gaining understanding of concepts like community, social structure, Power Conflict etc. occurring in real life situations, Students should acquire competence in the field of program planning.

• The service goal of NSS also calls educational approach in solving community problems. Its purpose is to help the community to recognize its needs and to assist in the mobilization of resources to meet these needs.

• Both the educational goal and the service goal of the NSS should be kept in mind while planning

• service activities by the students under the regular NSS program.

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 serviceand 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 should be the aim of the NSS to demonstrate this motto in its day-to-day programme.

NSS Symbol

The symbol of the National Service Scheme, as appearing on the cover page of this Manual is based on 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

The 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 represent 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 24thSeptember, 1969, the birth centenary year of the Father of the Nation. Therefore, 24September is celebrated every year as NSS Day with appropriate programmes and activities. NSS Song During Silver Jubilee Year the NSS theme song has been composed. All NSS Volunteers are expected to learn the theme song and sing the song during NSS programmes and celebrations