NSS aims at taking students from campus to community, says scholar

Renowned social science scholar and social activist Narendra Badasheshi has said that the National Service Scheme (NSS) has been designed to take students from campus to the community enabling them to use their education for the development of society they come from.

He was speaking after inaugurating the regular activities of NSS at Sidhartha Law College in Kalaburagi on Monday.

“NSS aims to take students from campus to the community. You have come from the community to campus for education. After acquiring knowledge on campus, you must return to your community and work for its development and welfare,” Mr. Badasheshi said and urged students to actively involve themselves in community-oriented programmes.

Referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s vision for India, he said that the NSS was launched as a tribute to the Father of the Nation to realise his dream of rural development.

“It is now being implemented by the Union government in coordination with the State governments to encourage young people to participate actively in social development,” he said.

Mr. Badasheshi also highlighted other youth initiatives such as the National Cadet Corps and the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan and appealed to students to associate themselves with at least one such organisation.

“Anybody can live for himself or herself. But human beings are social animals. We must live not only for ourselves but also for others,” he said.

Quoting from a saying that winners do not do different things but do things differently, he called upon students to grasp its deeper meaning and apply it in their lives. On social service, he advised students to help those genuinely in need rather than those who are already in a position to help others.

Sharing his experience with NSS field activities, Mr. Badasheshi recalled an initiative at a hamlet near Kalaburagi where open defecation was widely practised.

“Through sustained awareness during an NSS field camp, individual toilets were constructed for almost all households within a short span with people’s participation and government support. This shows that NSS is not about working for people but working with people for community development,” he said and stressed that public participation is crucial for the success of any welfare programme.

Speaking on the occasion, faculty member Tippeswamy explained the objectives of NSS and said that participation in such programmes will greatly benefit law students.

“Leadership qualities, communication skills, honesty and the ability to understand social problems and resolving them are crucial for a successful legal career,” he said.

College principal S. Chandrashekhar presided over the programme.

NSS coordinator K.G. Jawali and faculty members Mahantesh Bidnoor, Aparna Shindhe, R.D. Mahalalaxmi, Kavitha and others were present.