What is the Motto of NSS? How Many NSS Regional Centres are There in India?

NSS or the national service scheme is a Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government of India conducted a public service program which is sponsored by the Indian government. In 1969 the national service scheme was launched.

It is a voluntary association of young people that aims to develop college, university and at +2 level students’ personalities through community service.

It is known by all that students engaged in national service schemes work voluntarily for different purposes but that is the main motto of NSS? How many NSS regional centres are there in India? Keep reading this article till the end to find all these answers.

When was the National Service Scheme Launched?

The University Grants Commission recommended to introduce the voluntary national service in educational institutions. It was headed by S. Radhakrishnan. In 1950, this idea was considered by the Central Advisory Board of Education.

The idea of labour and social services by the Indian student got stressed in the five-year plan draft in 1952. This was later recommended to be considered as a prerequisite for graduation by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1958.

Universities’ and higher education institutions’ student representatives were brought together in a conference meeting in May 1969 by the Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission. There, the idea of incorporating a national service scheme as a national integration instrument got agreed unanimously. Finally in 1969, on 24th September, the national service scheme was launched at 37 universities all states by then Union Education Minister V.K.R.V. Rao.

What is the Symbol of NSS?

Based on the giant Rath Wheel of the Black Pagoda/ Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, the symbol of national service scheme has been decided. The movement in life across space and time is signified by the symbol and it also portrays change as well as continuity thus standing for the continual activities performed by the national service scheme for bringing changes in the society.

The NSS symbol based on the Rath wheel symbol has eight bars representing 24 hours a day, the red colour indicating the lively and energetic blood of the young volunteers and the blue colour is indicative towards the cosmos.

Where is the NSS Headquarters Located? Who is the Head of NSS at the State Level?

The National Service Scheme headquarters is located in New Delhi, India. The national-level activities of the national service scheme, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports plans the policies and takes care of the implementation and evaluation of the programme. The program advisor helps in planning and implementing the programmes and also takes part in encouraging the research and publication work related to national service schemes.

Regional centres in the country have been established by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Those centres take care of the effective implementation of the national service scheme programme in the state levels.

State Liaison Officer is the head of NSS at the state level. The State Liaison Officer makes sure that in the State budget, budgetary provisions are made for the national service scheme programme. On behalf of the state NSS cell, the officer coordinates with state agencies and departments for implementation of different national service scheme programmes.

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What is the Overall Objective of NSS?

Understand the community in which they work
Understand themselves in relation to their community
Identify the needs and problems of the community and involve them in problem-solving
Develop among themselves a sense of social and civic responsibility
Utilise their knowledge in finding practical solutions to individual and community problems
Develop competence required for group-living and sharing of responsibilities
Gain skills in mobilising community participation
Acquire leadership qualities and democratic attitudes
Develop a capacity to meet emergencies and natural disasters and
Practice national integration and social harmony

How many NSS Regional Centres are There in India?

NER aka NSS Regional Centre is the regional centre of the national service scheme. There are a total of 15 number of Regional Directorates across the nation. NER is responsible for implementing national service schemes in the region and liaison with the different state governments.

NSS Motto

‘Not Me But You’ – this is the NSS motto that symbolises the requirement for selfless service and also indicates the true sense of democratic living. Students develop and learn to respect and value the point of view of other people and also understand the value of other living beings. NSS motto reflects that an individual’s well being completely depends on the wellbeing of society as a whole.

NSS Day

The national service scheme day is observed on 24th September as in the year 1969, the national service scheme was launched on this day. Every year the NSS day is celebrated through different competitions like quiz, drama, presentation and speech.

Conclusion

Initially, the national service scheme was started with 40,000 volunteers spread across 37 universities and today, there is the involvement of more than 3.8 million volunteers coming from more than 396 Universities, Polytechnics and 47 Councils of +2 level.

The national service scheme is now a central sector scheme that organizes RA/ Regular Activities and SCP/ Special Camping Programmes. For RAs, every year Rs. 250 per volunteer and Rs. 450 per volunteer for SCPs is released. To run National Service Scheme Regional Directorates, Empanelled Training Institute and State NSS Cells, 100% financial arrangements are done by the Indian Government.