NSS Activities 2019-20

NSS unit of Mahatma Night Degree College of Arts & Commerce organised an area level program to visit National Association for the Blind at Worli sea face. Six different colleges namely Shree Narayan Guru College of Commerce, K.J. Somaiya College, Gurukul College of College, Anna Leela Bunds College, Don Bosco College etc. participated in the event. Asst. Prof. Harsh Shukla and Dr. Lata Krishnan along with NSS volunteers reached at NAB at 10 a.m. Ms. Nima a volunteers of NAB guided us about various activities of NAB. She explained how braille writing script used by visually impaired persons. NAB is involved with creating braille study content, audio clips etc. she showed us the machine and technical set up used for the creation of braille books for the blinds. At 11:30 a.m., NSS Volunteers took group photographs outside the NAB as no photograph was allowed inside the NAB. NSS unit of Mahatma Night Degree College donated Rs. 1000/- to NAB.

District Co-ordinator Prof. Nikhil Karkhanis had instructed to depute five NSS Volunteers for the Panel Discussion on National Youth Policy 2019. The program was organised by TISS centre for life long learning. Five NSS volunteers reached at TISS at 9 p.m. They carefully listened to the discussion and asked various queries from the experts. Volunteers were happy that they got an opportunity to attend such a program and meet eminent personalities at TISS.

NSS Volunteer of Mahatma Night Degree College of Arts & Commerce Ms. Pooja Bora was selected to participate in state level camp under the theme of Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat. The camp was held in Mhaskal Village near Titwala. The camp was organised by S.S.T. College Ulhasnagar. Ms. Pooja Bora actively participated in all the programs of the residential camp. She got a memento and participation certificate of the residential camp. She said that it was a great learning experience as she got an opportunity to meet NSS volunteers from different college.

During the Covid-19 lockdown period of two months from end of March 2020 till end of May 2020 the NSS volunteers of Mahatma Night Degree College of Arts and Commerce, Chembur, Mumbai-71 participated in the following projects:

1. Project Arogya Setu: The first project taken up during the Covid-19 lockdown period was “Downloading the Arogya Setu App”. The NSS volunteers of the college downloaded the Arogya Setu App on their smart phones and disseminated the importance and need of this app on the mobile phones. They personally helped members of the community download this app and spread awareness regarding it.
2. Project Covid-19 Awareness YouTube Video: The NSS volunteers took to social media and created a “Covid-19 Awareness video: Stay Home Stay Safe”. The video depicted the fact that India and the rest of the world had been struck by the Covid-19 pandemic and that we had to be prepared to fight it. Knowledge is power and we have to know what we are dealing with, when it is the Covid-19 virus!
3. Project Partnering with NGOs to help the community: NSS volunteers of Mahatma Night Degree College partnered with NGOs to help their immediate community. NSS volunteers participated with the NGO Vikas Samajik Kamgar Seva Sanstha, Nehru Nagar, Chembur-71. The volunteers were given identity cards and worked shoulder to shoulder with NGO members, taking all precautions and adopting social distancing.
4. Project Feeding Street Dogs: The Covid-19 lockdown left street dogs hungry and thirsty as there was no one to feed them! The MNDC NSS volunteers rallied along to help stray dogs who were hungry and roaming around recklessly on the streets. Food and water was provided to these dogs to give them relief during the Covid-19 lockdown.
5. Project Covid Awareness Quiz: The MNDC NSS volunteers participated in the Arogya Setu Covid-19 Awareness Quiz. They received certificates of participation on taking the quiz. They encouraged other, members from the community to take on the quiz to increase awareness regarding Covid-19, ways to stay safe, busting myths and understanding facts. Students created Covid-19 Awareness Quiz using Google Forms and also participated in such quizzes created by students of other colleges.
6. Project Distribution of Masks: 300 masks were distributed to the Thakkar Bappa Colony residents located in Chembur, Mumbai. Students purchased masks by taking contributions from friends and family members to help the economically under priviliged Thakkar Bappa Colony residents.
7. Project Webinar for Orientation of NSS Officials and Volunteers on Covid-19: On 7th May, 2020 the POs of MNDC and the NSS volunteers of MNDC participated in the NSS Orientation Webinar organized by MoHFW Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The webinar link was shared on the MNDC face book page for the NSS volunteers to participate.
8. Project Help Migrant Labourers: On 3rd June, 2020 NSS volunteers of MNDC distributed bottles of drinking water and Parle G biscuits to migrant labourers walking on Mumbai Nasik highway. Funds were mobilized through contribution.

18-12-2019 / Day 1: All NSS volunteers were called at 10 a.m. in the morning for NSS Residential camp in the college. All the volunteers assembled in the multi-purpose hall at 10.30 a.m. Students were given important instructions and head count was taken between 10.30 a.m. to 11 a.m. by Asst. Prof. Harsh Shukla. The bus was called at 11 a.m. to take us to the residential camp site. At 11 am principal Dr. Padma Rangan instructed the Dos and Don’ts of the camp life. Thereafter, Dr. Padma Rangan requested Chairman and CEO of Mahatma Education Society Dr. K. M. Vasudevan Pillai sir to address the students. Sir talked about the issues of underdevelopment of nation and situation of tribal in India. He said that the poor condition of the Adivasi Residential School at Warawane made him to think about the welfare of the children in the school premises. Hence, sir decided to construct toilet bathroom in the Adivasi Ashram School to ensure health and hygiene of the Adivasi Children. Further, Dr. K. M. Vasudevan Pillai sir told that all the NSS Volunteers must spent some quality time with tribal students and help them to learn during the Seven Days NSS Residential Camp. Sir’s Motivational words inspired the NSS Volunteers and the volunteers gave huge round of applaud after Dr. K. M. Vasudevan Pillai sir completed his speech. At 12 p.m. Dr. Padma Rangan along with Dr. Lata Krishnan, Asst. Prof. Tushar Pawar and Asst. Prof. Harsh Shukla took the final head count of the NSS Volunteers and broke the coconut to start the bus journey. Two buses departed the Mahatma Night Degree College and reached the Adivasi Madhyamik School Warawane at 2.30 p.m. Principal of the School Mr. Laxman Pawle sir welcomed all in the school and allocated the classes for the stay. The NSS Volunteers adjusted their luggage in the allotted rooms and immediately started arrangement for the evening dinner. The cook arrived at 3.30 p.m. with all the utensils. Six committees namely Kitchen, Discipline, Entertainment, Report Writing, Cleaning and Sports were formed and had been assigned the work. Asst. Prof. Harsh Shukla Along with four NSS Volunteers went for the grocery purchase and returned by 7 p.m. with all the necessary items. Dinner was served at 9 p.m. The entertainment committee performed their street play at 10 p.m. Two special committees namely painting committee to paint the front wall of the school and teaching committee to teach the tribal children were formed. Subsequently at 10.30 p.m. all volunteers were asked to go to sleep.

19-12-2019 / Day 2: All NSS Volunteers woke up at 5 p.m. in the morning and assembled at ground for morning prayers. After the morning prayers normal exercise and yoga was done by all the NSS Volunteers. Kitchen committee were asked to prepare the morning tea and breakfast. Cleaning committee and discipline started their work. After the morning breakfast and tea, volunteers of discipline, report writing and sports committee went for shramdaan in the Adivasi School and Residential premises. Painting Committee and Teaching Committees started the work assigned to them. At 1 p.m. everyone assembled for lunch. Students were given 1 hour of leisure time from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. After 4 p.m. sports committee conducted sports activities. A team of volunteers went to village to perform their street play. The evening tea was served at 5.30 p.m. All the committees were busy in their work and dinner was served at 8 p.m. at 10 p.m. everyone went to sleep.

20-12-2019 / Day 3: The daily routine continued as it is. The volunteers woke up at 5 a.m. and offered morning prayers. Thereafter, morning exercise was done. Students were asked to get ready before the school starts. Therefore, all NSS Volunteers took bath and got ready before 8.30 p.m. Morning tea and breakfast was served at 9 a.m. Thereafter, all the committees started their work. After the afternoon lunch Asst. Prof. Tushar Pawar left the campsite to join his college duty. Evening sports activities were taken on time. Teaching and painting work went on simultaneously. All other activities happened smoothly. In the post dinner assembly, entertainment activity presented their dance and street play. Report writing committee presented the report of the previous day. Students were informed that the next day they will visit the nearby warawane dam.

21-12-2019 / Day 4: In the morning everyone woke up at 5 a.m. and assembled for morning prayers. After it, students were given half an hour time to freshen up and get ready to visit warawane dam. The voyage started at 6.30 a.m. to trek warawane dam. Everyone except few members of the kitchen committee decided not to come for the dam visit. We reached dam at 7.30 a.m. after 1 hour easy trek. The landscape was extremely beautiful. After spending 1 hours at the dam site at 8.30 we started the return journey. All other activities were going on as it is except one. Today, a special guest lecture was there on food adultery. Mr. Gajanan patil had come at 12 p.m. as a resource person for the guest lecture. We have decided to keep the guest lecture at post lunch period. Therefore, guest lecture on food adultery was started at 2.30 p.m. Tribal students of class 8th, 9th and 10th along with NSS volunteers sat for the lecture on food adulteration. The lecture explained various aspect through which we can find out food adultery in a very simple way. Everyone liked the lecture on food adultery. All other activities went on as per schedule after the lecture. The dinner followed by cultural activities and report writing. NSS volunteers were instructed about tomorrows Dental Checkup camp for tribal students. Light were switched off at 10 p.m.

22-12-2019 / Day 5: The morning schedule started at 5 a.m. Report writing committee offered morning prayers and morning exercise were done by the NSS Volunteers. Today all the students were asked to get ready before 8.30 and kitchen committee were asked to prepare breakfast and tea before 9 a.m. The dental check up team along with all doctors came at 9.30 a.m. A team of volunteers offered tea and breakfast to the doctors. One session on good touch and bad touch was conducted only for the tribal girls in a separate class room. Simultaneously dental check up was done for the tribal boys. After good touch and bad touch session, tribal girls were also undergone for dental checkup. Doctors made a list of students who needed urgent dental treatment. After the dental check up camp, the main doctor advised about dental hygiene. At 1 p.m. doctors and their team were offered lunch and by 2 p.m. they left the camp premises. All volunteers got a NSS clap for a wonderful work done by them from everyone. In the morning Dr. Ananya Markandeya Madam Joined the camp and Dr. Eknath Zhrekar made a one day visit to the camp site. All other activities went on as it is. The evening time students made 2 groups and played antakshari. Dinner was served at 8.p.m. and 9.30 p.m. entertainment committee performed dance, singing and street play. This is followed by report writing of the previous day. At 10.30 p.m students went for sleep.

23-12-2019 / Day 6: The day started at 5 a.m. by morning prayers and exercise. Students were taken for long morning walk to show tribal huts in the interior places of the warawane village. We came back by 9 a.m. and enjoyed the morning tea and breakfast. The painting committee had finished their work and was about to write suvichar at the places instructed to them by Principal Palwe sir. Further, the teaching committee had a program where tribal students were asked to show what they have learned till today. The program started at 3 p.m. and students exhibited their learning by wonderful speech and songs in English language. The program was over by 5 p.m. After evening tea, sport committee started their programs. On group of NSS volunteers prepared camp fire for the evening. All the teachers of the Adivasi Madhyamik School were invited to enjoy delicious Paav Bhaji and kheer made for the last night of the camp. The dinner was served at 8p.m. All the guests came at 8.30 p.m. and enjoyed the Paav Bhaji along with kheer. The camp fire was started at 9.30 p.m. and students enjoyed for half and hour with music. The cultural event happened at 10 p.m. and followed by the report of the previous day. All went for a sleep at 10.30 p.m.

24-12-2019 / Day 7: The morning chorus where as usual. Cooks were asked to prepare special masala rice which can serve as a heavy breakfast. The price distribution ceremony started at 11 a.m. the chief guest for the prize distribution was Dr. Bhaskar Tubhe (Principal of D.Ed. College of Mahatma Education Society.) Asst. Prof. Harsh Shukla Welcomed all the students for the prize distribution ceremony. All the tribal students were distributed 1 pencil box and chocolate. Dr. Lata Krishnan welcomed all the dignitaries for the prize distribution ceremony and asked the principal Mr. Palwe sir to say few motivation words to our NSS Volunteers. Subsequently, Chief Guest of the prize distribution ceremony Dr. Bhaskar Tubhe addressed the NSS Volunteers. Thereafter, Dr. Lata Krishnan announced the prizes for different activities and individual performance during the seven days NSS Camp. The tribal students also expressed their gratitude towards the NSS Volunteers by giving flower tribute, at 12.30 p.m. prize distribution ceremony was over. All the volunteers bid adieu to the tribal students and bus left for Mahatma Night Degree College at 2 p.m.

NSS Unit of Mahatma Night Degree College of Arts and Commerce organized a street play in association with StreeMukti Sanghatan on 13th August, 2019 on the occasion of Swachh Bharat Pakhwada. The Theme of the program was Ata Tari Jage Vhah meaning please wake up now. The theme was related to increasing pollution level in the city because of waste management problems. The street play was started at 8:15 p.m. having all the volunteers of F.Y and S.Y as audience. The performers of the street play explained that how increasing plastic waste is hazardous for our society. There has to be a civic consciousness about the issue. The street play was well applauded by all the NSS volunteers. Subsequently there was a street play performance by NSS Volunteers of our college. The theme of the street play was also solid waste management. The StreeMukti Sanghatan members were very impressed after watching the street play performance of Night Degree College. Thereafter a formal vote of thanks was proposed by Asst. Prof. Harsh Shukla. At the end everyone rose for the national anthem and after that students were instructed to disperse for the evening.

A meeting of all the NSS Programme Officers of the colleges in the Mumbai Central Suburban region was organized at the MDACS Mumbai Districts Aids Control Society, Wadala, Mumbai on 25th July, 2019. The aim of the meeting was to sensitize the Programme Officers regarding the growing incidences of AIDS in the city of Mumbai. The objective was to encourage NSS units to set up RRC Red Ribbon Club to educate college students and spread awareness regarding AIDS.

The programme started at 2.00 p.m. and was coordinated by Mr. Umesh Ghuge, Assistant Director MDACS, Wadala. The first speaker was Dr. Latika Shivkar. She conducted the technical session giving the NSS POs complete information about AIDS, AIDS Awareness, preventions and post infection care. She explained at length the stigma attached with the disease and measures taken to educate society and create awareness. Details of her talk are attached with this report.

The second session was presented by Dr. Aparna S. Pawar. Dr. Pawar spoke on the topic Blood Donation. She began her session by inviting a discussion on the problems faced by colleges organizing Blood Donation Camps. She gave information about Blood Banks particularly the BMC managed blood banks and Government owned Blood Banks. She requested the Programme Officers to ensure that the Blood Bank they select to invite for blood donation camps in college should have the facility of a “Component Separation Unit”. She recommended Nair Hospital Blood Bank, KEM Blood Bank, Bombay Hospital Blood Bank, Sion Hospital Blood Bank as they all have a Component Separation Unit. Dr. Pawar spoke to us about the e-raktakosh, the online blood bank. She encouraged healthy people to donate blood once every three months. Platelets can be donated twice in a month. MDACS has their own mobile blood Donation van which moves around in crowded areas of the city to collect blood from donors. The Programme Officers spoke at length about the certificate issued to blood donors. These certificated do not help donors to get their first free unit of blood. After brain storming, the Programme Officers suggested that a ‘SMART CARD’ be devised and given to donors to update their donation of blood from time to time. This digital card should contain complete history of the blood donor. It could be used by the donor to procure his free unit of blood when he needs it.

The third and final session was conducted by Mr. Umesh Ghuge, Assistant Director MDACS, Wadala. He spoke to us about formulating a Red Ribbon Club. Every college with one NSS Unit to send two NSS volunteer, two units to send three NSS volunteers and three units to send 4 NSS volunteers on 30th July, 2019 for a training programme. The training programme will be organized by MDACS in their Wadala office. It will be a full day programme enabling the students to lead the RRC in their colleges. The trained NSS volunteers are required to share their knowledge with the students in their college. A minimum of 600 students have to be addressed. Mr. Umesh Ghuge made a power point presentation of all the activities that the RRC had to engage in for 40 hours. Rupees 4,000/- will be provided by MDACS to every college setting up a RRC. Rupees 2,000 will be paid in advance and Rupees 2,000 will be provided after completing the project. Detailed expenditure statements and bills will have to be submitted to MDACS for the RCC programme.

The meeting ended at 6.00 p.m. and the NSS POs dispersed.

NSS Unit of Mahatma Night Degree College organised NSS orientation program on 19th July, 2019. Prof. Royal D’Souza Ex- District Co-ordinator of NSS was invited as a Chief Guest of the Program. The program was held at the multi purpose hall ground floor. The program commenced at 7.30 p.m. NSS Program officer, Asst. Prof. Harsh Shukla gave the welcome address and brief introduction of the Chief Guest. Principal Dr. Padma Rangan welcomed the Prof. Royal D’Souza with floral tribute. Subsequently, Principal Madam addressed the gathering and explained the importance of NSS in students life. Thereafter, Asst.Prof. Harsh Shukla invited the Chief Guest of the evening Prof. D’Souza to orient first year and second year NSS volunteers. Prof. D’Souza meticulously explained each and every aspect of NSS to the volunteers. He justified the hard work of NSS volunteers for their future prospects. Further, he spoke about giving back to the society by the motto of NSS “Not Me But You”. Volunteers were very impressed by his views. The program concluded by the vote of thanks given by NSS PO Asst. Prof. Harsh Shukla. At the end, every body rose for national anthem and after the national anthem volunteers were asked to disperse for the evening.

Place: Gurukul College of Commerce

Date: 11th July, 2019

Brief Report: NSS PO Asst. Prof. Harsh Shukla attended NSS Planning meeting on 11th July, 2019.

New NSS Coordinator of Mumbai University Mr. Sudhir Puranik from Pali College Raigad welcomed the gathering. He assured that functioning of NSS will streamlined. The important points discussed in the meeting are as follows

1. NSS Report should be very brief which includes name of the program, number of students and 2 photos
2. College should open new library in the adopted areas
3. There should be a program for Save Electricity and Save Water
4. Construct bandara (small check dam in monsoon)
5. 2 Advisory Committee Meeting should be held in academic session
6. Jal Shakti Abhiyan should be promoted.
7. MDACS activity grant increased to 4000 rs.
8. NSS account must be submitter before 31st July.
9. College can have association with NGO which must benefit NSS students Not NGO
10. Plant must survive after tree plantation activity.

NSS Unit of Mahatma Night Degree College conducted Tree Plantation Drive at Franav Farms, Apta Phata, Rasayani on 18th July, 2019. Lions Club of Deonar sponsored 25 saplings which included Neem, Jamun and other plant varieties. These samplings where brought from Juhu on 16th July. Further, Dr. Lata Krishnan requested Mr. Rajesh Pillai from Panvel campus to transport it to Franav Farms in Mahatma Education Society’s School Bus which can reduce transport cost. Mr. Rajesh Pillai supported for the noble cause and helped us to transport the tree sappling to Franav Farms on 17th July, 2019. Mr. Padmakshan who look after the activities at Franav Farms supported us by ensuring all the equipment required for sapling plantation will be provided at the farm. NSS Program Officer Asst. Prof. Harsh Shukla along with 20 NSS Volunteers visited the Franav Farm at 1 p.m. on 18th July. The care taker of Franav Farms Upendra greeted us. NSS Volunteers drank water and after that Upendra gave the volunteers all the necessary equipment for sapling plantation. Mr. Upendra showed us the places earmarked for sapling plantation. NSS volunteers were happily engaged in the activity. They said that it gave them an immense satisfaction that they were planting tree saplings for the first time in their life. There was a tea break for 5 minutes at 3 p.m. The activity completed at 4.30 p.m. After freshen up we left the for Chembur at 5 p.m. Mr. Upendra promised us that he will take care of the saplings. This was one of the main objective of our NSS unit that we make sure that plant must survive after tree plantation activity and therefore the activity was conducted at Franav Farms.

NSS Program Officers of Mumbai Region were requested by NSS Cell of Mumbai University to attend a discussion on new education policy on 25th June, 2019. Therefore, NSS PO of Mahatma Night Degree College Asst. Prof. Harsh Shukla attended the program on new education policy. The program was held at green technology building at 2.30 p.m. The guest speaker of the program was Dr. M. K. Sridhar. The guest speaker was a member of drafting committee of new education policy. The important point discussed in a talk was as follows,

1. Government planned to merge B.Ed. colleges with Degree Colleges.
2. B.Ed. Course will be of four years.
3. There will be separate universities which specifically engaged in research and called Research Universities.
4. On similar line there will be universities engaged in teaching only.
5. Autonomous institution will be the third wheel of the education policy.
6. Student can enrol in different courses of different discipline at the same time.
7. The degree program will be converted in 4 years program.
8. Even if the students study for 2 years, he will get diploma degree thus the problem of drop out will be solved.
9. However, there was no clear idea in the policy about education of the poor students. The policy was seen by the audience as a commercial educational project of the government. There was no discussion on the safety and financial securities of the teachers. The teaching fraternity was against this policy as it was obvious during question answer session of the program. This program inflamed debate among the attendees of the program as it was hard to understand how students or teachers are going to be benefited from the program.