NSS Camp '13

Pramit Kumar | Scintilla Weekly 

The National Service Scheme unit of the Sies Graduate School of Technology held their annual camp at Ambadvet near Pune. With the basic objective of inculcating a value of unconditional service towards the society and the environment, the camp spanned over a period of six days from the 22^nd to the 28^th of December, 2013.

The volunteers were well aware that a NSS Camp means living out of their comfort zones. But the blood which runs in the youth is one of determination. Our volunteers personified the motto of NSS, ‘Not me but you’.

Ambadvet, like every Indian village, deals with issues and problems specific to its topography and native to its culture. Over the course of the camp, our volunteers took up the following initiatives:

1. Basic sanitation and cleanliness in the village.

2. Creating awareness towards land deals.

3. Creating awareness against the high spread use of tobacco among the people.

4. Tree plantation drive for a greener vicinity.

5. Creating emphasis on women empoyerment.

6. Highlighting the significance of family planning.

All the above issues highly concern the local people of Ambadvet. What really came as a surprise was the ease with which our volunteers were able to connect with the masses which led to the great success of the rallys and the नुकड़ नाटक’s.

The daily routine of the NSS volunteers was a dynamic one. There is a sense of pride when one rises before the sun. Majority of the crowd must never have witnessed the peculiar angle which the hands of the clock made in the AM, when they woke up each day. Jogging up and down the terrain under a sky still boasting of the moon and the stars was an experience to remember. In order to put in their best efforts to the day’s work, the volunteers needed to have a fresh and healthy start to the morning. The yoga sessions ensured this. The शवासन was undoubtedly the crowd’s favourite as it provided many with a chance to cat nap before beginning with the day’s work. The breakfast would usually be somewhere in between the ‘श्रमदान’ sessions. Food had never been tastier and water never more satisfying. The NSS camp had its element of competitiveness and fun during the sports and cultural events. 

One of the highlights of this year’s camp was the interaction with a dynamic personality, Mrs. Nilu Gavankar. A woman who had seen and served the world. Ambadvet wasn’t her home, and thus working for it wasn’t some liability. It was her choice. She was truly demystifying as she spoke about the role of the NSS in nation building. Her talk was inspiring and animated with rich experience.

The one experience which maybe no one present at the camp would ever forget was the visit to the school of the mentally disabled children and the home of the mentally disabled elderly. It was a moment of different emotions. Our volunteers did everything to bring a smile to their faces. Never before had a smile on someone’s face seemed so soothing to the heart. 

Reflecting back to the days spent at the camp, our volunteers would realize that NSS is not only about giving to the society.It is also about making use of such opportunities to enrich your personality with the invaluable experiences. It is somewhere about organisation, management and leadership. It lets you learn and grow.

The NSS unit eventually becomes a big family. The last evening at the camp made it very evident that those times would be missed. But at the same time, there was an unsaid promise that the jokes, the laughter, the cheer, the enthusiasm and the friendship would remain for years to come.