National Scheme Service [NSS] Special Camp was organized from 5th January to 11th January  2022 at Awhalwadi Village, Taluka Haveli, District Pune [18.5574933 N, 73.9809714 E].  NSS works mainly on the principle of NOT ME BUT YOU. The candidates who are involved  in its activities work together with the people of the village for the benefit of society,  environmental protection, health & cleanliness, and help people in times of emergency /natural  calamities. National Service Scheme (NSS) is an Indian government sponsored programme  under the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India and NSS Cell, Higher  and Technical Education, Govt. of Maharashtra, initiated primarily to inculcate the spirit of  participation in nation building through social work among the students.  

Orientation Programme for Volunteers 

2 January 2023  

Dr Abhijeet Kaiwade, NSS Programme Officer gathered all the volunteers for an Orientation  session from 3:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. In the session, the PO explained to the volunteers about  the importance of NSS camp, role of volunteers, schedule of the camp and the tasks that the  volunteers must carry out. Volunteers were also informed about the rules and duties to be  followed in the camp, dress code, and other essentials required for the camp. Senior volunteers  shared their experiences and spoke about Dos and Don’ts in the Camp. The faculty coordinators  distributed Consent Forms to be signed by the parents of the volunteers. In the end, faculty  coordinators asked the volunteers to assemble by 12:30 PM on 5/01/2023 to leave from  Institute to the camp. Finally, the session ended with excitement and enthusiasm of the 25  volunteers who had consented to be a part of the NSS Special Camp.  

Daily Activities and schedule of the CAMP  

5.30 Wake up 

6-7 Yoga and Exercises  

7-9 Bath and Breakfast  

9-12 Seva program  

12-3 Lunch  

3-6 Community Activity  

6-9 Dinner  

9-10 Discussion  

10 Retire for the day  

The main objective of the camp was to evolve the volunteers as humane agents of social  change. The thrust was on activities and lectures that help the volunteers to work for the  community, in the community and with the community. Multifarious interactive sessions,  workshops, demonstrations, and lectures were held in order to educate the volunteers about  certain social, physical, psychological and political phenomenon. Each day began with various  interactive sessions, guest lectures as well as field work.  

Cleanliness Drive – Under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, we cleaned following area and  sensitized devotees and villagers about the need and importance cleanliness of our surrounding  areas and minimum use of Plastic products like carry bags under the Plastic Free India  Campaign. The areas covered were:  

1. Khandoba Prasadik Dindi Area  

2. Nilkhnatheshwar Mandir area  

3. Datta Mandir area  

4. Khandoba Mandir Area  

5. Water tank area  

The volunteers also visited the Awhalwadi Panchayat Office, where the volunteers got an  opportunity to talk with Mr. Atul Kohinkar, Gram Sevak of the village. The Panchayat  Sarpanch Mr. Nitin Gholap explained their official duties such as the maintenance and  construction of water resources, roads, drainage, school buildings and CPR (common property  resources). They also informed us that they execute government schemes related to  employment and other developmental programs. The volunteers got to know the main  occupation of the villagers and their daily activities.  

Discussion on Current Social issues  Our volunteers went to different places in the village and interacted with villager people, and  discussed about following:  

● Domestic violence against women  

The volunteers organized a rally from Gram Panchayat to Datta Mandir [densely populated  areas of Awhalwadi] carrying posters on domestic violence, rights of women and created  awareness through slogans like “Jab Dekho Koi Atyachaar, Seeti Bajao Shor Machao”. On  reaching the Datta Mandir, they attracted the residents’ attention and asked them to watch the  street play on domestic violence.  

● Soil & Water conservation and Rainwater Harvesting  

Created awareness amongst the local people who are farmers about organic farming and its  importance. The volunteers actively participated in this awareness drive. The volunteers went  from door to door and explained the importance of organic farming.  

● Tree plantation and Nurturing existing planted trees  

Tree plantation and Swachh Bharat programmes were held at Samashan Tekdi. The volunteers  actively participated in the tree plantation programme and cleaning of the pits of the planted  trees. The faculty members also explained about the importance and the objective of tree  plantation and Swachh Bharat.  

● Free Eye Checkup Camp  

Dr Vaibhav Gadhave from K K Eye Institute, Budrani Hospital, visited the NSS camp for Eye  check-up drive. 45 Villagers took benefit and 15 cataract patients were identified. Dr B H  Nanwani, Director, SVIMS offered them cataract operation at minimal cost.  

● Gender Sensitivity session  

The session was to sensitize the villagers on gender issues, to help them be aware of gender  biases, to help them resolve interpersonal conflicts arising from gender issues and to enable  them to act assertively and respond to challenges in workplace i.e. field or office. The session  was conducted by Dr Divya Lakhani.  

● Voter Awareness and Constitutional Rights  

Constitutional rights of Indian citizens and importance of casting vote at the time of election  for fair election process was discussed. The session was conducted by Mr. Kakasaheb Satav,  member Gram Panchayat.  

● Environment and Biodiversity  

The volunteers visited the Domkhel Wasti Park, Awhalwadi and put up posters, made by the  volunteers, depicting the IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT.  

They went around the Domkhel Wasti park and saw different species of trees, birds, and  animals. They admired the place, amidst nature. The session was conducted by Mr Kakasaheb  Satav, member Gram Panchayat on role of grampanchayat in environmental protection.  

The volunteers also performed a street play at 7: 30 PM in Shri Nilkantheshwar temple. The  skit was about GIRL EDUCATION and was based on a central government scheme – “BETI  BACHAO, BETI PADAO”. They created awareness among the people and encouraged the  parents to educate their girl child. They ended the skit with slogans on girl education in different  languages. This was followed by cultural programs – Mehndi and Rangoli with villagers.  

In Zilla Parishad Primary School, Awhalwadi, 

The school with a total strength of 496 students is located near old Gram Panchayat office,  Awhalwadi.  

5th  to 10th  January 2023  

Students conducted sessions on following topics:  

1. Vedic Math  

2. Punctuations  

3.  Time Clock  

4. Gender Sensitivity  

5. Good touch Bad touch for girls and boys  

6. Memory game  

7. Cultural activity  

8.  Right to education  

9. Communication skills  

10. Human Rights 

11. POSH Activity  

12. Role Play  

13. Safety precautions – Prevention of Crimes against Women and Children in Cyber space  

14. Conscious mind  

The volunteers visited the ZP Primary School, Awhalwadi where the volunteers spread  awareness on above topics. It was indeed an amazing interactive session with the young minds  and their perspectives regarding POSH. The volunteers also did exceptional work in providing  awareness to school students on health and hygiene.  

Concluding Programme on 11 Jan 2023  

On 11 January 2023, the valedictory ceremony was graced by Gram Panchayat Members – Mr  Mangesh Satav, Mr Amol Awhal, Mr. Prashant Satav, Mrs Anushka Satav, Ms Sonali  Dhabhade, Mr Umesh Awhal, Kakasaheb Awhal and Mr Shahaji Awhal, Chairman Khandoba  Prasadik Dindi and Awhalwadi Villagers.  

The Seven Day NSS Camp was concluded by our Director, Dr. B H Nanwani. Her words  motivated volunteers, when she named volunteers and applauded each one’s work. Dr.  Nanwani shared her personal experiences, and the way the Institute has been exercising the  practices related to outreach programmes, seva programs and the management support for such  activities. Dr. Nanwani concluded her speech with a beautiful quote by Dada J P Vaswani “DO  as much good as you can, to as many as you can and as long as you can!” and thus boosted the  spirits of the volunteers.  

Valedictory Function

• All the Gram Panchayat guests were welcomed by Dr B H Nanwani, Dr Abhijeet Kaiwade,  Dr Divya Lakhani and Ms Vaishali Patil.  

• Director’s address  

• Three students expressed their experiences about the camp.  

• Dr Abhijeet Kaiwade presented the report of NSS CAMP  

• Vote of thanks was proposed by Ms Dipti Kharwade  

Conclusion: At the end of the Special Camp, the volunteers compiled a note on the various  problems faced by the villagers. All the events that took place during the Special Camp have  been captured and made into a documentary, by few of the volunteers of the camp. For the first  time, SVIMS will be releasing a documentary, to ensure that the work of the NSS Unit and the  problems faced by villagers reaches a larger audience.