The National Service Scheme (NSS) at Birla Global University Bhubaneswar is institutionalized under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India. NSS is a voluntary and value-based student youth program with the motto – “NOT ME BUT YOU.”
Vision and Mission
The NSS program at Birla Global University (BGU) aims to motivate students to transform into a sect of progressive citizens by indulging them in nation-building activities and developing social and humanitarian skills. The program functions with a mission to encourage diversity and inclusiveness with the following objectives by undertaking the university’s core values as Honesty & Integrity, Empathy, Transparency, Freedom, Respect, and Collaboration.
Objectives
To identify, understand and help in solving the needs and problems of the community.
To develop a sense of civic and social responsibility.
To develop competence required for group-living, sharing of responsibilities, cooperative attitude, and leadership quality.
To gain skills in mobilizing community participation.
To develop the capacity to meet emergencies and natural disasters.
To practice National Integration and Social Harmony.
In coordination with faculty mentors, advisors, and other intellects at BGU, student volunteers plan, execute and manage different activities through events and projects to address various community issues. They disseminate their concerns and care to mitigate their socially responsible behaviour by benefiting people in and around BGU Bhubaneswar.
About NSS
The National Service Scheme (NSS) is a Central Sector Scheme of the Government of India, Managed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. It provides an opportunity to the student youth of technical institutions, Graduate & Post Graduate at colleges and university level of India to participate in various community service activities & programs. The sole aim of the NSS is to provide hands-on experience to young students in delivering community services and transform them into responsible citizens. For details, visit (nss.gov.in).
On successful completion of the program, volunteers will be able to:
Transform into progressive citizens.
Indulge in nation-building activities.
Practice social and humanitarian skills.
Understand and find sustainable solutions for social problems.
Develop a social perspective of learning and build leadership skills
Administrative Structure
The administrative structure of NSS BGU constitutes a committee of faculty and staff members as given below.
Dr. Siddharth Misra (Member)
Dr. Snigdha Mohapatra, Asst. Professor (Member)
Prof. Lopamudra Nayak (Member)
Prof. Suresh K. Golle, Asst. Professor (Member)
Ms. Ashna Siddiqui, Academic Associate (Member)
Mr. Ajay Kumar Mohapatra, Asst. Registrar (Member)
Asst. Director, Sports (Member)
Dr. Suvendu Kumar Pratihari, Asst. Professor (Program Officer & Convener)
Other teaching non-teaching staff are associated with the NSS BGU at various levels.
Scope of Program Implementation
Areas
Specific Focus
Education
Adult literacy, pre-school education, continuing education of school drop-outs, legal literacy, consumer awareness, entrepreneurial education, programs on eradicating social evils, etc.
Health and Wellbeing
Immunisation, blood donation, blood grouping, health education, family welfare programs; Awareness of critical diseases like AIDS, Cancer, etc.; Working with people in nutrition and hygene programs; Making provision for safe drinking water, life skill education, etc.
Environment Conservation
Plantation of trees and their preservation/ upkeep; cleaning and maintenance of streets, drains, etc.; Construction of sanitary latrines, watershed management, soil conservation etc.
Social Service Programs
Work in hospitals, institutions for disabled people, orphanages, old-age homes, women welfare institutions, etc.
Programs for improving the status of Women
Awareness generation regarding women’s rights, creating awareness among women regarding how they can contribute to the social and economic well-being of the community, imparting skill training to women wherever possible.
Production oriented Programs
Working with people and teaching them about improved agriculture practices, soil testing, repair of agriculture machinery, assistance and guidance in animal resource development, promoting small savings and financial literacy, assistance n procuring bank loans, etc.
Relief and Rehabilitation during Natural Calamities
Assisting and working with local authorities in rescue and relief operation, distribution of rations, medicines, clothing, immunisation and inoculation, etc.
Note: Looking at the present COVID 19 pandemic, the program focuses on two broad areas of India’s Sustainable Development Goals, such as “Education” and “Health and Wellbeing.” However, the scope of the focus areas may be expanded by looking at the needs/ demands of the communities and the sponsoring agencies.
Voluntary Contributions
The NSS units at BGU operate with a self-financing model. Therefore, we must also admit that the efforts require funds to keep the mission moving towards the objective. Therefore, voluntary donations and sponsorship for executing different projects are highly solicited from Corporate Houses, Govt. and Non-Governmental agencies, and individual levels.
Collaborations
The NSS BGU intends to collaborate with corporate houses, NGOs, and other agencies at the national and global levels to mobilize their concerns into action with the help of the NSS volunteers at the local level.
National Service Scheme, Popularly known as NSS is an extension of activities to the higher education system to orient the student youth to community service while they are studying in education institutions, under the aegis of Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt. of India.
Presently, the program functions with two Self Financing Units (SFUs) of NSS, constituting 50 volunteers each.
What is Self Financing Unit (SFU)?
A SFU will, for all practical purposes, operate as the regular NSS units except that the SFU institution shall bear the expenditure on running the unit.
What is meant by community service?
Services rendered by the NSS volunteers in the community.
When was the NSS launched?
National Service Scheme was launched on 24th September, 1969 by the then Education Minister Dr. V.K. R.V. Rao in 37 universities with 40,000 NSS Volunteers covering all States.
What is the Motto of NSS?
The Motto or watchword of the National Service Scheme if “NOT ME BUT YOU”.
What is the overall objective of NSS?
Development of Student’s personality through community service.
What is the NSS symbol?
The NSS symbol is based on the Rath wheel of the Konark Sun Temple situated in Odisha.
What does the giant wheel depicts in NSS symbol?
The giant wheels portray the cycle of creation, preservation and release, and signify the movement in the life across time and space.
What does the colour of Navy Blue depict in NSS Logo?
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.
What colour red depicts in the NSS Logo?
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.
What are the obligations of NSS volunteers?
To work for two continued years along with their studies, putting in 120 hours service each year and participating in one special camping Program.
Where is the NSS headquarter located?
The NSS headquarter is located in New Delhi.
What is the Goal of NSS?
Education through community service and community services through education.
When is the NSS Day observed?
The NSS day is observed on 24th September every year.
What is the pride of NSS Volunteer?
NSS Badge, NSS Certificate and Identity card are the pride of NSS Volunteers.
Is it compulsory to wear NSS badge?
It is obligatory to wear NSS badge during community service.
What is the uniform of NSS?
There is no uniform prescribed for NSS volunteers.
What are the principal elements of NSS?
There are four principal elements in the NSS program process; they are Students, Teachers, Community and the program.
How can one join NSS?
Simply by enrolling/registering yourself in NSS unit through the Program Officer concerned However, before joining you must be a bona fide student of school, college or university.
What sorts of benefits students can get from NSS?
You can get some weightage during admissions in higher studies and other benefits as decided by the institutions/university.
Can I get any award for any extraordinary social work?
Beside State level award as constituted by the concerned State Governments. You can also get Indira Gandhi NSS award at the National Level and SAARC Youth award at SAARC level.
Can I get any chance for visiting other states in the country or abroad? How?
Yes, you can get several chances for visiting other States/abroad through youth Exchange programs such as National Integration Camp, Interstate Youth Exchange and Home Stay program, Mega Camp, National Youth Festival and Adventure programs etc.
What is state youth exchange program?
It is the program sponsored by the Ministry where NSS volunteers of one state visit another state to get acquainted with customs and tradition of other states.
What is the student in NSS known as?
NSS volunteer.
Will NSS have any adverse effect on my studies?
No. NSS will not have any sort of adverse effect on your studies rather it refines thinking/reasoning power yielding better result in studies.
What is an NSS unit?
A specific group of NSS volunteers working under the Program Officer in a school, college or university with a total volunteers of 100 or 50.
How can I participate in Republic Day parade camp at Raj Path in New Delhi?
You will have to get through the NSS Pre-Republic Day Parade Camp organized before Republic day at regional level. Also you must have to be a good physical health and measurements as prescribed by the Ministry of Youth affairs & Sports.
I have seen NSS volunteers cleaning the road, school/ hospital premises, etc., are they labours?
No, while participating in manual labour, the volunteers get dignity of labour.
What is the idea behind manual labour done by NSS volunteers?
The idea behind the manual labour is that the students must learn the dignity of labour.
What is the role of NSS during the Natural calamities or disaster?
NSS is expected to undertake relief and rescue operations during natural calamities are close coordination with other Govt. /Voluntary organisations.
Can I continue as an NSS volunteer after college/ university?
Yes, you can join in an Open NSS Unit.
What is NSS Diary?
Volunteers day-to-day regular work report and special camping report are recorded in a note book
Who is entitled to get NSS completion certificate?
Volunteer who has completed 240hrs (120hrs X 2yrs) regular activities and seven days special camp in adopted village is entitle to get NSS Certificate duly signed by the competent authority/ies.
What are the tangible benefits of a NSS Volunteer?
Besides the enormous experience from the direct engagement with the community, a volunteer will benefit from the following.
Certificate of appreciation after completion of the desired field and classroom activity hours.
Certificate of participation in special camps/ projects.
