GLANCE at N.S.S.(2007 – 2008)

During the Session 2007-2008, the NSS Unit of the College enrolled 403 volunteers.  One 10-Day and two seven days camps were organized in the Janta Colony, a slum adjacent to Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh.  A number of activities were undertaken during these camps under the able guidance of Dr M L Gupta, Programme Coordinator (NSS), Mrs. Shobhna Dhiman, Programme Officer and Dr. Anju Singla, Programme Officer.

The NSS Unit of Punjab Engineering College is running two ‘Self Help Group’ named ‘Shakti & ‘Pragati’ under Micro-financing Scheme in collaboration with Commonwealth Youth Programme Asia Centre, Chandigarh.  To formulate more SHG to empower the ladies of slum, a team of about 50 NSS Volunteers carried out a door-to-door survey in Janta Colony.  Pickle making was one of the major activity wherein ladies of the SHG prepared 2000 kg mix vegetable pickle under the micro-financing scheme.  The four NSS Volunteers have been selected as ‘Youth Ambassador’ for positive living by Commonwealth Youth Programme Asia Centre, Chandigarh.  This group of effulgent and determined young students has started a drive to spread awareness about HIV – AIDS and drug abuse.  They have adopted many school of the city to spread awareness about HIV –AIDS.  During the 10-Days Camp, NSS volunteers also presented a street play “know AID for No AID” at the Fun Republic, Manimajra.  Two NSS volunteers named Mr. Rahul Tayal and Mr. Ankur GArg attended Asia Regional Training Workshop for Commonwealth Youth Ambassadors for Positive Living from 11th _ 15th February, 2008 at New Delhi.

The NSS Unit is actively involved in spreading awareness about social evils e.g. female foeticide, dowry and female literacy etc. by means of rallies, street plays and awareness campaign.

Extension lectures were delivered by eminent experts in various fields.  Mr. Sukhwinder Singh from Pacesetter delivered talk on important issues for MBA preparation.  He guided the volunteers about the various future prospects in the field of management.  The representatives from United Assurance Limited talked about various insurance policies.  They particularly talked in detail about two policies, one was General Health Insurance Policy whose premium was Re.1 per day and other was an insurance policy specially designed for the students of technical institutions.  Swami Bramesh Nanda, Head, Ramakrishna Mission, Chandigarh enlightened the NSS volunteers about meditation in order to improve the concentration.

Social Responsibility
Though an elite technical college, it has never lagged behind in fulfilling its social obligations. NSS volunteers conduct social awareness drives to spread awareness about pulse polio and drug de-addiction are also undertaken by the NSS Unit of the College.  Presently, two Self Help Groups are functioning in the Janta Colony under ‘Micro financing Scheme’.  This scheme is working towards women entrepreneurship.  Individual financing has been done for various purposes i.e. solar panel, rehri, rickshaw, green grocery, sewing machine, interlocking machine etc.

Blood Donation
Two blood donation camps were organized by NSS Unit in the College campus on 23.10.2007 and 27.03.2008 where 650 units of blood were donated, the highest by any educational institution in Chandigarh.