The Motto of NSS “Not Me but You” is a terse expression. On the face, it is quite simple and short. But behind it lies a lot of meaning. It is very deep and suggestive and is keeping with the spirit of service for others. The expression stands for two things: Forgetting and surrendering the self and rendering selfless service to others.  The word ‘Not’ before ‘Me’ is to reduce the self to nothing and the Word ‘But’ before ‘You’ can be expanded as follows: – “I do not live for me but for you.” “The world is not only for me but to you also.”

NSS Aim

The programme 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 man-made disasters by providing food, clothing, and first aid to the disaster’s victims.

The National Service Scheme (NSS)is an Indian government-sponsored public service program conducted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government of India. Popularly known as NSS, the  scheme was launched in Gandhiji’s Centenary year, 1969. Aimed at developing students’ personalities through community service, NSS is a voluntary association of young people in Colleges, Universities ,and at +2level working for a campus-community linkage.

History

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 pre requisite for graduation. He directed the Ministry of Education to formulate a suitable scheme for the introduction of national service into academic institutions.

Types of Activities

There are two types of activities: Regular Activities (120 hours) and Annual Special Camp (120hours). All the NSS Volunteers who have served NSS for atleast 2 years and have performed 240hours of work under NSS  are entitled to a  certificate from the university under the signature of the Vice-Chancellor and the Programme Coordinator. The Annual camps are known as Special Camps. Camps  are  held annually, funded by the government of India, and are usually located in a rural village or a city suburb. Volunteers may be involved in such activities as:Cleaning Afforestation Stage shows or a procession creating awareness of such issues as social problems, education, and cleanliness

Awareness Rallies

Inviting doctors to health camps.There are no predefined or preassigned tasks; it is left up to the volunteers to provide service in any feasible way. Camps typically last between a week and 10  days, although camps for shorter periods are also conducted by NSS.

What are the benefits of joining NSS in college?

‘Social Work’ Enough with writing articles about problems in society, if you want to do something, you can join NSS  in  your school  or college, and this is the best time to do it when you are not slogging at your jobs or workplace.

‘Knowledge’ In NSS-DTU (not sure about others), there are different departments like ‘Editorial’ which reports NSS events to be published on the NSS Facebook page and/or blog. ‘Design Team’ which designs posters of the events in Photoshop etc. ‘Web Development’ Team which manages the NSS website. So, if you are interested to learn these things under seniors and have work experience, you can try.

‘Career Advantages’ As previously written, a certificate is given for 100 hours, that’s not the case with DTU. If in an event, you work as an NSS volunteer in collaboration with an NGO, you can get the certificate of  the NGO. In  DTU,  if100 hours are devoted, 2 credits are given, so it can help you in clearing backs.(If any) Otherwise, you can write in your CV, about your volunteering at NSS. NSS is a nationally recognized society.

The following advantages are valid for all college societies:

‘Contacts’ You get to meet a lot of new people from other branches and year, and you make new friends. You get a social circle to hang out with and organize events with different people.

‘Seniors’ You work with different seniors, and they help you or guide you in NSS and other wise, academically.

‘Personality Development’ You develop much-needed confidence, leadership qualities, and social tactics. Really important if you were a geek/nerd or very shy while talking to people.