The Sneha Veedu housing project, led by the National Service Scheme (NSS) of Mahatma Gandhi University, is a commendable initiative, said Cooperation, Devaswom, and Ports Minister V.N. Vasavan. He was inaugurating the NSS Awards Ceremony and Annual Gathering for 2023-24.
The project has made a significant social impact, with various NSS units from the university’s affiliated colleges building homes for 310 families. The minister praised NSS for its crucial role in raising awareness against drug abuse, adding that socially responsible NSS volunteers would never fall prey to social evils like substance abuse.
Vice-Chancellor Dr. C.T. Aravindakumar presided over the function held at the university. Syndicate members Adv. Reji Zachariah, Dr. Biju Thomas, Adv. P.B. Satheesh Kumar, University Registrar Dr. Bismi Gopalakrishnan, NSS Regional Director Y.M. Uppin, Deputy Director of Collegiate Education Dr. R. Prakash, NSS District Coordinator Dr. K.R. Ajeesh, and University NSS Programme Coordinator Dr. E.N. Sivadhasan were also present.
The award for the Best NSS Unit was presented to Alphonsa College, Pala, while Newman College, Thodupuzha, secured the second position. The Best NSS-Friendly Principal Award was given to Rev. Dr. Shaji John Punnathanathukunnel of Alphonsa College, and Dr. Simimol Sebastian from the same college received the Best Programme Officer Award.
Prizes were also distributed to the winners of the university-level NSS folk song competition. Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam, KMM College, Thrikkakara, and Sree Sankara College, Kalady, secured the first, second, and third positions, respectively.
