Moodubelle: “Build leadership through social service”-Prof. Ronald Moras

By Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 01 Aug 2012:“Build leadership through social service. If anyone wants to become a leaders, he or she should be of service to the society and nation” said Prof. Ronald Moras, Head of the Department of Economics and NSS Programme Officer of St. Mary’s College during the course of his keynote address after inaugurating the NSS Unit of St. Lawrence Degree College Moodubelle on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 3.15 pm.

 

Giving a number of examples and narrating different anecdotes, Prof. Ronald Moras highlighted the need for social service in building up ones personality and developing patriotic spirit.

 

Tracing the origin of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Prof. Ronald Moras said that after the independence, the University Grants Commission headed by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan recommended introduction of national service in the academic institutions on a voluntary basis. This idea was again considered by the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) at its meeting held in January, 1950 and recommended that students should devote some time to manual work on a voluntary basis and that the teachers should also associate with them in such work.

 

In the draft First Five year Plan adopted by the Government of India in 1952, the need for social and labour service for the students of India for one year was stressed. In 1958, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in his letter to the Chief Ministers mooted the idea of having social service as a prerequisite for graduation. He also directed the Ministry of Education to formulate a suitable scheme for introduction of national service into the academic institutions.

 

 

Till 1969 no concrete step was taken to introduce the NSS at the College level. It was only in 1969, the centenary year of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi that the idea of NSS took off. In May 1969, a conference of the students’ representatives of the universities and institutions of higher education convened by the  Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission also unanimously opined that the National Service Scheme could be a powerful instrument for national integration. The details were soon worked out and finally the Planning Commission sanctioned an outlay of Rs. 5 crores for the NSS during the Fourth Five Year Plan period. It was stipulated that the NSS programme should be started as a pilot project in select institutions and universities. On 24 September 1969, the then Union Education Minister Dr. V.K.R.V. Rao launched the National Service Scheme in 37 universities covering all States. At present, the scheme has been extended to all the states and universities in the country and also covers +2 level learning institutes in many states.

 

The motto of the National Service Scheme (N.S.S.) is "Not Me, Not You, But We", This expresses the essence of democratic living and upholds the need for selfless services and appreciation of another man’s point of view and also show consideration for fellow human beings. It underlines the welfare of an individual is ultimately dependent on the welfare of the society as a whole. Therefore it should be the aim of the N.S.S. to demonstrate this motto in its day-to-day activities.

 

The main aim of National Service Scheme is personality development through social service or community service. This programme is to inculcate the social welfare thoughts in the students, and to provide service to the society without any prejudice.

 

The function to mark the inauguration of the NSS Unit of St. Lawrence Degree College was presided over by Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Correspondent of the College. Other dignitaries on the dais included Commodore Jerome Castelino-Dean, Dr. Eugene D’Souza-Principal, Miss Kusuma Makwan-NSS Programme Officer and NSS Student Leaders-Ravi Kumar and Rakshitha. Memebrs of the NSS Advisory Committee, Mr. Edward Larsen D’Souza, NSS Programme Officer of St. Lawrence PU College and Mr. Benedict Martis were also present for the function.

 

Miss Kusuma Makwan welcomed the guests, Kum. Sarita Moolya compeered the programme and Ravi Kumar proposed the vote of thanks.