Pro. Mokshada Naik

Pro. Suresh Rathod

 To give a constructive impetus to the vibrant energy of the youth, the Government of India started the National Service Scheme on 2nd October 1969.  The occasion was chosen as it was the birth centenary of Mahatma Gandhi. And most importantly, Anand Niketan is one of the very few but fortunate colleges in the country where the National Service Scheme was started from 1969 itself.

Anand Niketan College has a legacy of social service. And the seeds of this service are being instilled in the students of Anand Niketan College through the National Service Scheme. The NSS (National Service Scheme) unit of the college received the best unit award of the Maharashtra government in 1995 and again in 2006. The unit is toiling with the same energy and dedication till today.  In the previous three years ie from 2019 to 2022, NSS unit worked hard and successfully under the guidance of Program Officers Dr. Ranjana Lad and Dr. Narendra Patil, Aand from 2022, the volunteers of the National Service Scheme are successfully implementing various activities in the college and in the surrounding villages under the guidance of Programme Officers Prof. Mokshada Naik and Prof. Suresh Rathod.

 On behalf of the National Service Scheme, different types of health related programs are implemented in the college and in nearby villages. Awareness about the disease ‘AIDS’ is created through various means such as street plays, poster competitions, Rangoli competitions, rallies etc.  A ‘Red Ribbon Club’ has also been established in the college under NSS. Under the leadership of Prof. Mokshada Naik, the college won the first position in the district level AIDS drama competition for three consecutive years.

Day by day, the society is seen to be addicted to various consumptions. Cancer caused by tobacco is a very important topic.  To address the issue, the NSS unit of the college is constantly trying to create awareness among the students on this topic.  The entire world was at a standstill during the Corona virus.  All educational institutions were closed.  Under the leadership of Dr. Ranjana Lad and Dr. Narendra Patil, health awareness was spread among the students through online programmes. Also during this Corona, the volunteers of the National Service Scheme prepared masks and distributed them to people from village to village. They also collected food grains and delivered it to the needy people during the lockdown.  Not only that, but many volunteers also worked as police warriors. During the Corona pandemic, Safe Grandparents campaign was conducted. NSS volunteers also actively participated in this campaign.

 Keeping in mind that ‘blood donation is the best donation’, blood donation camp is organized every year in the college.  This blood donation camp always gets spontaneous response from students and people of Warora city.

 Students are also guided on the importance of environment through various activities organized in the college.  The ‘Miyawaki’ project at Anandavan is widely known. On this line, tree plantation programs are celebrated with enthusiasm in the college from time to time. An innovative idea called ‘Adopt Tree Scheme’ was implemented in the college.  NSS students in the college are working on all three levels of tree plantation, tree cultivation and tree conservation.

 In accordance with the words of Reverend Baba Amte, ‘Shram Hi Shri Ram Hamara’, Shram Daan programmes are regularly conducted in the college and in the surrounding adopted villages to inculcate the importance of Shram (labour) among the students. Anandvan and Somnath are pilgrimage sites of social service and therefore special camps of National Service Scheme were conducted at Anandvan and Somnath.  From time to time, these camps imparted knowledge through intellectual session, importance of labour through daily Shram daan activity to the students. These camps became very important also for the personality development of the students.

 The special camp of the college held at Gram Panchayat, Tumgaon in the year 2023-24 was so remarkable.  In this camp, the response of the villagers was admirable. Engineer Bhau Thute’s kirtan, Anandavan Orchestra, Zhep Addiction Mukti Kendra’s program, college student Ashish Guymare’skirtan and the National Arts Team’s program, the villagers got to see the train in the cultural program.

 It is our social duty to render helping hand during the period of natural calamity.  Under the leadership of Dr.  Ranjana Lad and Dr.  Narendra Patil, the volunteers of National Service Scheme provided help to the flood victims of Sangli and Satara areas.  Apart from this, the people of the two flood affected villages of Pardgaon and Betala in Brahmapuri taluka were also given food grain and other necessary items.  A total of 60 families were given food grain kits.

The addiction of alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, opium, hashish, ganja Is consuming the society.  In order to spread awareness and to make people realise the threats of addiction, a street play based on addiction was staged by the students of NSS.  This street play was written and directed by Prof. Mokshada Naik.  The same street play was also performed in the villages adopted by the college NSS unit. These days mobile phone addiction among young children is becoming very dangerous. This street play also shed light on this issue.

From time to time volunteers of National Service Scheme conduct cleanliness drive in the college and surrounding areas and in many villages.  A part of cleanliness is a plastic free environment. Rallies are also organized for plastic free environment.

 Voting is the responsibility of every citizen.  In order to make citizens aware of this responsibility, the volunteers of National Service Scheme conduct voting awareness campaign.

Various occasions and days are also regularly observed by the NSS unit.  8th September International Literacy Day, 24th September NSS Day, 2nd October Gandhi Jayanti, recognizing the importance of that day, programs are conducted in the college on behalf of the National Service Scheme.

 Students enthusiastically participate in various camps conducted by National Service Scheme.  Ms. Archana Todsam and Ms. Roshana Vadde, two students participated in the national camp held at Guwahati under the leadership of Dr. Ranjana Lad.

Ms. Nikita Manusmare also left her mark through the National Integration Camp and Prerna Camp.  Apart from this, in 2023-24 Mr. Rupesh Kuttarmare was selected for Utkarsh and Aavhan state level camps. Along with this Ms. Achal Chikte and Mr. Ashish manusmare also participated in Utkarsh state level camps.

Under the guidance of the Principal Dr. Mrinal Kale and under the leadership of the program officer and with the encouragement of the teachers and non-teaching staff of the college, Anandvan Parivar, the volunteers of the National Service Scheme are doing a great job in respect of community service.