CM Vishnu Deo Sai attends NSS Foundation Day in Raipur
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Volunteerism took centre stage in the Chhattisgarh capital on Thursday, 24 September 2026, as Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai attended the National Service Scheme (NSS) State-Level Foundation Day and Felicitation Ceremony held in Raipur — honouring the student volunteers who quietly power some of the state's most vital community-service work.
What NSS Foundation Day marks
The National Service Scheme was launched on 24 September 1969 under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of community engagement. Since then, every 24 September is observed as NSS Foundation Day across India, with states organising ceremonies to recognise outstanding volunteers and units. The programme enrolls college and university students in structured community service — from health camps and tree-plantation drives to disaster-relief support and literacy initiatives.
Raipur's role as the state's recognition stage
As the capital of Chhattisgarh, Raipur hosts the state-level ceremony, bringing together NSS volunteers from colleges and universities spread across the state's diverse geography — from the plains of the north to the forested Bastar region in the south. State governments across India use this occasion to spotlight local achievements and, in some years, announce expansions of NSS units or fresh budgetary support for the scheme. Chief Minister Sai's presence signals the administration's emphasis on youth-led public service as a pillar of governance.
Why student volunteerism matters in Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh's large tribal and rural population means that college-going volunteers often serve as critical last-mile connectors for state welfare programmes — bridging gaps in health awareness, sanitation, and education outreach that formal machinery sometimes cannot reach. NSS units in the state have historically been active in flood-relief work and environmental campaigns. Recognising these efforts at a state-level felicitation ceremony is both a morale boost for young volunteers and a public statement about the value the government places on civic participation.