Prez presents national Service Scheme awards

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday presented the MY Bharat–National Service Scheme (NSS) Awards for 2022-23 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. A total of 40 awards were conferred on NSS Units, programme officers and volunteers for their work in community service and nation-building.

The awards, instituted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in 1993-94, recognise the efforts of NSS volunteers and programme officers who have made significant contributions to social service and community development.

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya was present at the ceremony. The National Service Scheme, a public service programme launched in 1969, engages student volunteers from across the country in community service activities. The scheme was introduced during the birth centenary year of Mahatma Gandhi with the objective of developing the personality and character of students through service to society.

The MY Bharat-NSS initiative, one of the flagship programmes of the Government of India, provides young people opportunities to participate in rural development, environmental conservation, health awareness, literacy campaigns and other forms of community engagement.

Every year, NSS volunteers across India participate in projects addressing local needs in collaboration with educational institutions and government departments. As of March 31, a total of 39,87,781 volunteers had been enrolled in the programme across the country.