National Service Scheme (NSS)
History
In year 1958, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru took initiative and advised the academicians to suggest the programme to involve student youth in social service activities. Popularly known as NSS, the scheme was launched in Mahatma Gandhi’s Centenary year on 24th September 1969 which aimed at developing student’s personality through community service.
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, unanimously agreed that a national level service scheme could be an instrument for national integration.
Motto
The Motto of NSS “Not Me But You” is a sense of expression of the essence of democratic living and upholds the need for selfless service and appreciation of the other man’s point of view and also to underline that the welfare of an individual is ultimately dependent on the welfare of society as a whole. 24th September is celebrated every year as NSS Day with great enthusiasm and pride.
NSS in Fergusson College
NSS unit of Fergusson College was established in 1975 with around 50 volunteers. Presently, the NSS unit of Fergusson College (Autonomous)Pune, affiliated with Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) consists of 1500 volunteers. The main aim of NSS unit in Fergusson College is to contribute to the wellbeing of the society in various fields and sectors. It also aims at developing the personality of young minds through community service who will later serve as citizens aiming for a better tomorrow. National Service Scheme unit of Fergusson College functions in a distinctive manner with seven different groups operating in various sectors aiming at public welfare and personality development of the volunteers. The activities of NSS always encourages volunteers to understand community, to imbibe good relationship with society, national integration and to increase awareness about social issues.With utter zeal and enthusiasm, the work continues to serve the society throughout the year. Various activities such as elocution, poster making competitions, debates, blood donation camp, interactive sessions for students, tree plantationprogramme, cleanliness driveand street playshelps the NSS unit to reach the society through every way possible.
NSS Programme Officer
Dr. Santosh Pharande, Department of Economics
Assistant Professor
Prof. Deepa Kulkarni, Department of Statistic
Assistant Professor
Prof. Shivaji Kokate, Department of Geology
Assistant Professor
Following are the 7 groups of NSS unit of Fergusson College which works
distinctively in consonance with their aims:
1. Paryavaran
Aim
To protect natural resources, focusing on creating awareness regarding environmental issues and imbibing the importance of natural resources among students.
Work
The work of Paryavaran mainly focuses on motivating the students to keep their surroundings green and clean by undertaking plantation of trees. Promoting ethos of conservation of water by optimizing the use of water. Organizing seminars, debates, lectures and popular talks on environmental issues in the college to motivate the students to have a deeper understanding of environmental issues. OrganizingTree plantation programmes, awareness programmes such as quiz, essay, painting competitions, rallies, nukkad natak etc. which will make them realize the importance of environment. Fieldvisits to environmentally important sites including polluted and degraded sites, wildlife parks, etc. are also arranged to make students practically aware about the concerns.
3. Aarogya
Aim
To build an inwardly and substantially strong society and provide medical facilities to the deprived section.
Work
Aarogya exclusively works towards the health sector. Number of activities are carried out. These activities are aimed at eradication of misconceptions regarding various diseases. It also focuses on encouraging the youth to come forward in number of social activities such as blood donation, stem cell donation through street playsand educating people regarding new techniques such as stem cell donation. Visiting hospitals for a better understanding of the working of health organizations and experiencing the grievances of the affected people is also carried out
5. Yuvamitra
Aim
To encourage young blood to construct a better society and serve the community during catastrophe.
Work
As the name suggests ‘friend in youth’. The objectives and aims range from labour donation to strengthening the youth forces to personality development. To teach the values of standing together in times of need and of servitude. Inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s preachings, the youth stands together, tougher and even more humble to lend service to the society.
7. Shikshan Vivek
Aim
To educate the underprivileged and widen the scope of knowledge and learning.
Work
The group works for cultivation of love for education among students. It strives towards building of a bright nation by applying acquired knowledge with conscience. It tries to enhance the creativity of students through variety of activities. Excellence is a combination of education and moral values and spreading such synchronized moral education is promoted.
2. Aadhar
Aim
Empowering weaker sections of society and making a difference towards eradication of stereotypes and challenging social norms. To take all steps for protecting the members of the society in the discharge of their duties.
Work
The group works towards providing comprehensive and quality care and ensuring that the residents, senior citizens live with respect and dignity in secure, compassionate, congenial environment and surroundings. It works for establishing a social institution where society not only interacts and looks after weaker sections but also learns from them “the much-needed values of a healthy and peaceful society”. The spirit of Solidarity, brotherhood and cooperation among the members of the weaker sections of the society is also fostered. Contribution towards the socially excluded sections of society including LBGTQ is also encouraged
4. Vidnyan Prasar
Aim
The dissemination of science and inculcation of scientific approach among youngsters. Eradication of false beliefs and superstitions.
Work
The group works towards providing proper incentive and inspiration for the pursuit of scientific knowledge in rigorous way by broadening their scientific outlook. Development of the spirit and attitude of healthy competition for the individual and social cause is encouraged. These activities help the students in imbibing the habit of self-reliance, self-dependence and love for manual work. They provide opportunity for the development of the constructive, explorative and inventive faculties of the students.
6. Warsa
Aim
To learn about and preserve the monumental wonders and spread admirable values of ethnic culture of India among the students.
Work
Legacy, of places and art forms that represent the rich and ethnic culture of our glorious country is maintained. Several Treks, cleanliness drives in places of importance, pertaining to the history of that place and thus preserving the ‘Warsa’. The main objectives include preserving our culture and letting the new generations know and wonder about the glorious past.
8. Karyalay
Work
Writing official letters, keeping a record of all the volunteers as well as the various activities conducted by different groups, as well as of the official property. Preparing various forms and permission applications and supervising all the necessary documentary work needed to run the department smoothly.
Main Activities
Nirmal Wari
An unbounded experience of spirituality and culture. The volunteers helped the devotees by serving them breakfast as the devotees shared their experiences. A grand aarti was performed at the entrance of the college turning the atmosphere pious.
Amrut Varsha
In this activity the volunteers helped the farmers to sow rice. They learnt about the various techniques used by the farmers. This helped the volunteers gain a first-hand experience of various farming methods including sowing.
Shiv Jayanti
Shiv Jayanti was organized to celebrate the valour of the greatest king “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj”. The program was a huge victory and indeed a memorable one. The volunteers were dressed traditionally and the celebration took place with great. enthusiasm among the students.
Plantation program
Every year plantation program is conducted on a large scale and also it focuses on not just planting trees but also taking care of them. Every volunteer takes care of the planted saplings as long they are in campus and thus the sapling eventually is given the necessary requirements.
