Dehradun, September 24: The National Service Scheme (NSS) unit of DAV Inter College organised a one-day camp on Tuesday to mark NSS Foundation Day, with students participating in a cleanliness drive and a tree plantation programme on the school campus.
The programme began with NSS volunteers presenting the organisation’s song, “Uthe Samaj Ke Liye Uthe, Uthe Jage Rashtra Ke Liye Jage, Jage Swayam Saje Vasundhara Sanwar De”. The spirited rendition drew applause from students, teachers and other members of the school community.
Addressing the volunteers, school principal S.K. Srivastava said education should go beyond academics and encourage young people to actively contribute to society. Referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s emphasis on community service, he said participation in social initiatives helps students understand the challenges faced by people and strengthens the spirit of cooperation.
Srivastava said NSS plays an important role in developing discipline, empathy, cooperation and a sense of service among students, while encouraging them to become responsible citizens.
NSS programme officer Dr Babita Sahotra extended greetings to the volunteers on NSS Foundation Day and said the scheme was launched on September 24, 1969, during the birth centenary year of Mahatma Gandhi. She said NSS was conceived to connect young people with community service and encourage them to put Gandhian principles into practice.
She urged the volunteers to follow the NSS motto, “Not Me But You”, and remain committed to activities aimed at the welfare of society.
As part of the camp, NSS volunteers and members of the school staff carried out a cleanliness drive across the campus. This was followed by a plantation drive under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, during which saplings of guava, mango, neem and other shade-giving trees were planted.
The volunteers also pledged to take care of the newly planted saplings and contribute towards environmental conservation.
A large number of students, including Ansh Kumar, Muskan Kaur, Priyanka Pal, Abhijeet, Krishna, Aniket, Anshu, Aarav, Siddharth, Pooja, Shivani, Megha, Nidhi, Neelam, Vanshika, Vansh, Dolly, Ayush and Ameen, participated in the programme.
Teachers Shashi Kumar Tripathi, Anil Thapa, Tripta Kumar, Manorama Negi, Sangeeta Chaurasia, Sunita Pal, Reveka, Bhushan Nautiyal, Vineet Singhal, Subodh Yadav, Dhyan Raju and Bhaskar were also present. Priyanka Pal conducted the programme.