Motto:
The motto of the National Service Scheme (NSS) is "Not Me But You". This motto reflects the NSS's democratic values and the need for selfless service. It also emphasizes the importance of considering others and understanding their perspectives. The NSS's philosophy is based on the belief that the welfare of society is ultimately dependent on the welfare of the individual, and that NSS volunteers should strive for the betterment of society.
Symbol:
The symbol for the NSS has been based on the giant Rath Wheel of the world famous Konark Sun Temple (The Black Pagoda) situated in Orissa, India. The wheel portrays the cycle of creation, preservation and release and signifies the movement in life across time and space, the symbol thus stands for continuity as well as change and implies the continuous striving of NSS for social change. The Konark wheel in the NSS badge having 8 bars signifies the 24 hours of the day, reminding the wearer to be ready for the service of the nation round the clock i.e. for 24 hours. Red colour in the badge signifies energy and spirit displayed by the NSS volunteers.
NSS Day:
NSS was formally launched on 24th September, 1969, the birth centenary year of the Father of the Nation. Therefore, 24 September is celebrated every year as NSS Day with appropriate programmes and activities.
NSS Song:
During Silver Jubilee Year the NSS theme song UTHE SAMAAJ KE LIYE has been composed. All NSS volunteers are expected to learn the theme song and sing the song during NSS. The song emphasises the ideals of the service movement and is sung during all NSS gatherings.
Objectives of the NSS:
1. Personality development through social service.
2. Awareness and responsibility towards societal needs.
3. Understanding the community and its issues.
4. Enhancing leadership qualities and teamwork.
5. Promoting national integration and social harmony.
6. Developing civic consciousness and patriotism.
7. Participation in community service activities.
8.Instilling the value of selfless service.
9.Encouraging volunteerism and social responsibility.
Duties of NSS volunteers:
Establish rapport with the people in the project area
Identify needs, problems and resources of the community.
Plan programs and carry out the plan.
Relate learning experience towards finding solutions to the problem identified.
Record the activities in the work diary systematically and assess the progress periodically and effect changes as and when needed.
Promote national integration and communal harmony.
Uphold the values and objectives of the NSS.
Proposed Activities:
Identification of the adopted villages/slum areas
Awareness drives through youth rallies, street plays, exhibition, skits highlighting success stories by way of traditional folk art and media
Community participation by involving member of the adopted villages and local institutions
Duration of the NSS special camps will be 7 days and the volunteers will have to stay overnight in the camp.
Organizing day camps on the theme at the adopted villages on the weekends
Renewable Energy awareness programmes
Technological training for self-help groups and rural youths
Traffic control during festival occasions
Collection of clothes for distribution to the people below poverty line
Visits to orphanages/Old age homes/ Blind schools and feeding
Creation of awareness of Rain Water Harvesting
Mass tree plantation (one student one tree)
Organizing veterinary camp.
At National Level:
1. Ministry of youth affairs and sports, New Delhi and NSS regional centres
2. Programme Advisor
3. Programme Advisor Cell
4. NSS Regional Centres
At State Level:
1. State NSS Cell
At the state level, there is a NSS cell Headed by the state NSS Officer (SNO).
At University Level:
1. NSS Centre
Every University has NSS cell to supervise and coordinates NSS programme in their colleges affiliated to it. The Programme coordinator is the key functionary who heads the NSS Centre. The important functions of the programme coordinator are:
* To assist and guide the NSS unit for implementation of NSS programmes at college level to advise in organising camps, training and orientation programmes for the NSS volunteers.
* To visit the NSS units for monitoring and evaluation to ensure implementation of NSS regular activities and special camping programmes
At Institutional Level:
1. NSS Unit
The unit at college level is the grass-root unit in NSS. The NSS Centre keeps contact with the community, administration, student volunteers and Programme Officers through this unit only. The organisation and management of NSS unit are of vital signification. A college is allotted NSS units according to the strength of students. The strength of a unit is 100 active NSS volunteers. The University is having a total of 10 units with more than 1650 volunteers.
2. Enrolment of NSS volunteers
At college level the NSS volunteers are enrolled from the first, second- and third-year degree-class students of the college. The students from foreign countries studying in Indian universities should also be encouraged to join NSS so that they may share the experience of national reconstruction and community work.