Diamond Jubilee

National Service Scheme (NSS), IIT Kharagpur team is honoured to find its place in the Diamond Jubilee Curtain Raiser program that preceded the convocation function. The program was attended by many past Directors, Deputy Directors, Chairman of the Board of Governors, current Director, Deputy Director, faculty members, students, campus community and children. It was held in Tata Steel sports complex with a backdrop huge calender depicting birthday of all graduating students.

The team from Kolkata, led by noted film director Mr. Biplab Dashgupta, spent one full morning with NSS volunteers in a village where that unit works. On the way they covered one 'save environment' campaign at campus market. It was difficult for the video team to visit all the villages where NSS, IIT Kharagpur works. Therefore, one village named Pariapara was selected. Like previous Saturday, this Saturday too the program officer arranged various events, competitions and arranged lunch (on Saturday mid-day meal was not there). After the video shoot, the entire crew surprised us by taking lunch with villagers and NSS team which was anything but simple. The only special item was egg-curry. They expressed in no uncertain terms how much they enjoyed being there.

We wish we could take them to other places too where NSS works. That morning one unit at village Kuchalachati was having a roof cover distribution for village huts for the needy which are in poor condition. This they provided by saving operational expenses (tiffin etc.) of the unit. The high yielding crops of these days generate lower quantity of straws. It is now difficult for the village poor to get them.

The monthly report (Aug.) of different NSS units have started pouring in. We shall put them up in new posts and in the upcoming newsletter.

We were prepared to have a glimpse of NSS activities in the video show of the Diamond Jubilee program. We have seen that the institute takes pride in the positive strides NSS team has made and wants it do much better, in reaching out to the underprivileged. We were sweetly surprised when it was depicted in the LASER show that enthralled the audience, specially the children. A depiction of both are shown in adjoining video. We shall put up a better quality recording as and when we receive it.

We end the post by mentioning a few upcoming events. These are besides the regular activities.

03.9.2011 : One workshop cum field visit and interactive session with S.D.O. Kharagpur and other officers of District Admin. (sponsored entirely by State Govt.); the agenda is how to bridge the gap that we find from our field survey and the model village initiative

03.9.2011 : Discussion on sample questions for the upcoming scholarship examination of village primary schools. A group of senior students sponsored 28 scholarships last year out of their pocket money. This year they are sponsoring 40 scholarships. NSS, IIT Kharagpur is serving as bridge.

10.9.2011 : Workshop on Disaster Management. A team from Bangalore and Kolkata will come and train selected NSS volunteers, thanks to Director, IIT Kharagpur who got us connected.

17.9.2011 : Scholarship examination at village primary schools

We are in the process of confirming a meeting cum field visit with a respected minister of the State Govt. to take the model village concept & its implementation forward. It is expected sometime in 1st half of this month. We shall keep everybody updated about developments as and when it takes place.