29 National Service Scheme (NSS) Units in Aizawl City area jointly organised 50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee) of National Service Scheme yesterday at Vana Pa Hall. Robert Romawia Royte, Minister of State for Sports & Youth Services graced the occasion as chief guest.

Speaking at the occasion, the Minister praised the contributions rendered by the NSS to the society through blood donations, mass planting of tree saplings to create green covers throughout the state, organising awareness campaign on various issues etc. He also announced “Sports Minister’s Trophy For Blood Donation” for NSS units, which will be implemented from 2020, the trophy will carry a a handsome cash award, the amount will be decided by the government, and will be awarded to NSS unit with highest number of blood donated during the year 2019-2020.

The Minister also urged the NSS volunteers to come out of their comfort zone and try to explore which would give them inspiration and confidence. He also invited them to Anthurium Festival at Reiek village on 4th & 5th October, 2019. The Minister also asked the NSS volunteers to continue to teach others around them good values and he also announced that 20 no smoking institutions identified will be provided various sports goods as token of appreciation of their achievement..

The National Service Scheme (NSS) is an Indian government-sponsored public service program conducted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, it was launched in Mahatma Gandhi’s Centenary year in 1969 (24th September). Initially, it was launched as pilot project in selected institutions and Universities, and the enrolment was limited to 40,000. The scheme gradually gained popularity and today the enrolment is over 34 lakh throughout the country.

In Mizoram, the NSS was launched at Pachhunga  University College in 1972, which was later extended to various colleges in the state. NSS was also launched in Higher Secondary School sections in 1996. As of today, there are 86 NSS Units in various Colleges and Schols in the state with the enrolment of 30,100 NSS volunteers.