AMN / NEW DELHI
President Ram Nath Kovind today conferred the National Service Scheme Awards for the year 2018-19 through virtual mode.
The NSS Award for the year 2018-19 was presented to 42 awardees in three different categories like University, NSS Units and their Programme Officers and NSS Volunteers. Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju attended the ceremony from Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
Speaking at the occasion, the President said that the National Service Scheme aims at’ education through service. He said, character building and personality development of young volunteers is done through service and the motto of this scheme is ‘Not me, but you’.
Mr Kovind said that it is a matter of happiness that about 40 lakh young students of many technical institutes, colleges and universities are serving the society and the nation by joining the National Service Scheme. He said, so far nearly four crore volunteers have contributed through this scheme.
The President said, in the fight against the global epidemic COVID-19, the NSS volunteers have created awareness about social-distancing and use of masks.
On the occasion, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju appreciated the NSS volunteers for rendering exceptional services during the challenging times of COVID-19.
Department of Youth Affairs confers the National Service Scheme Award every year to recognize and reward outstanding contributions towards voluntary community service.
NSS is a Central Sector Scheme which was launched in the year 1969 with the primary objective of developing the personality and character of the student youth through voluntary community service. The ideological orientation of the NSS is inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.
The NSS volunteers work on issues of social relevance, which keep evolving in response to the needs of the community, through regular and special camping activities. Such issues include literacy and education, health, family welfare and nutrition, environment conservation, social service programmes, rescue and relief during calamities.