The country has
evolved and developed dramatically over the
past seventy-odd years. Levels of literacy have increased dramatically and the
barometers that measure health have shown a distinct improvement. Goa in
particular is a star with a quality of life that is dramatically above the
standards set for the rest of the country. Despite all improvements, it cannot
be denied that much needs to be done. The authorities accept this reality and
more importantly people in society recognise this and are willing to do their
bit to help change the situation on the ground.
In order to help citizens do their bit, the government has set
up organisations to use this motivation and spirit in a positive manner. The
National Service Scheme (NSS) is an Indian government-sponsored public service
program conducted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government
of India. Popularly known as NSS, the scheme was launched in Gandhiji’s
Centenary year in 1969. Aimed at developing a student’s personality through
community service, NSS is a voluntary association of young people in colleges,
universities and at +2 level, working for a campus-community (esp. villages)
linkage. Youth from all the states are part of this organisation.
Like any organisation, good work and excellent results on the
ground are commended. Recently, two young men from Goa, Shreyas Bandodkar and
Suragra Kamat, received the National Service Scheme Award from the President of
India Ram Nath Kovind. What was commendable was that Goa, for a state its size,
beat states like Maharashtra that won just one award. The two young men won the
awards for the work they did with the NSS. Shreyas had worked very aggressively
with a team in the slums of Saligao to help them learn basic alphabets. This,
he said, would at least help them to sign documents and make them leave
thumbprints as was always the case. Shreyas said, “I love doing social work and
was involved socially even prior to joining the NSS. I joined the organisation
when I was in the 11th standard and it afforded me several opportunities over
the five years I was part of it.” Now he is part of the Rotract Club in Mapusa
and since it is a non-profit organisation, they help people with funds when
they cannot pay their fees. He passed out in 2018 and is currently employed as
a cashier in a bank. He received the award for the work done in 2017-18. He
said this desire to do social work needed to come from the heart and this was a
feeling he had nursed since childhood. He represented Goa at the march past in
Delhi and earlier this year was in China as part of a youth exchange delegation
and felt proud because he was representing his state in a larger delegation
representing the country. He expressed his wish to continuously work for the
betterment of society.
For Suragra Kamat, it
has been an interesting experience. Having just graduated from an MBA course in
HR, he is still unemployed after the company that shortlisted him as a possible
employee turned down his request for a two-week leave to go to Delhi to pick up
the award. Their rationale being, ‘How does it benefit us, if the President
rewards you?’ Now 24, he was not aware of NSS when he joined college. He has
been passionately involved in social service and intends to do this all his
life. He is looking for a job with a Goan company because he wants to stay in
the state and do work for the weaker sections of society. He has helped
organise rallies and works to improve the education level of the girl child in
the slums. In addition, he donates blood, having done so on 16 occasions and
would like more people to do so. He bemoans the fact that NSS does not have a
permanent centre in the state thus depriving Goan students from what students
in other states are getting from the organisation.
Both
of them said the President commended all the 30 winners and expressed the hope
they would continue to do so all their lives because he said it was important
for the youth of the country to help solve the problems of society. The
President spent 35 minutes with the winners though he did not meet them
individually.
