Every act done above personal selfishness is service and the work of nation building. NSS volunteers are playing an important role in nation building. Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai said this while addressing the state level foundation day and award ceremony of National Service Scheme organized at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Raipur. Chief Minister Shri Sai said that more than 4 lakh student volunteers are working across the country under the National Service Scheme. More than one lakh students in our state are also actively playing their role, which is a matter of pride for Chhattisgarh. Today, we heartily congratulate those volunteers who are being honored for their excellent work.
The Chief Minister said that during the freedom struggle, it was believed that helping in the freedom struggle was national service. Today, when the country has become independent, the meaning of national service is to give our overall contribution to social, economic and cultural development. NSS volunteers are making valuable contributions in this direction.
The Chief Minister, explaining the nature of national service to the volunteers, said that when we plant a tree, we serve the nation. When we take someone to the hospital, we serve the nation. Helping someone financially, helping someone in reading and writing is also national service. Every work that we do, going beyond our personal selfishness, is the work of service and nation building. He said that NSS volunteers should continue to serve with full dedication and contribute to the promotion of education so that no one is deprived of education.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that our government is committed to providing employment to the youth. Under the new industrial policy, facilities are being provided to entrepreneurs who provide employment in industries. Investment proposals of about Rs 7.5 lakh crore have been received in the last 10 months. A large number of employment opportunities will be created from this investment.
On this occasion, Higher Education Minister Shri Tankram Verma said that service is not only helping others, but it is also a means of shaping character, thinking and a sense of responsibility. The energy and enthusiasm of the youth is the real capital of the society and the nation. The dedication and commitment with which NSS volunteers are doing service work, is a sign of our youth power. NSS volunteers have played an active role in the success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. They have made important contributions in many areas including disaster management, environmental protection and health in urban and rural areas.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai launched the magazine ‘Samarpan’ of the National Service Scheme and the poster of the Viksit Bharat Quiz program on this occasion. He also honored the institutions, officers and volunteers who are doing excellent work under the National Service Scheme.
On this occasion, CSIIDC Chairman Shri Rajiv Agarwal, Secretary Higher Education Dr. S. Bhartidasan, Commissioner Higher Education Shri Santosh Kumar Dewangan, NSS Deputy Program Advisor Dr. Ashok Kumar Shroti, State NSS Officer Dr. Neeta Bajpai, NSS program coordinators of all districts and a large number of volunteers from all over the state were present.