Mysuru: Maintaining that Karnataka has the most number of NSS volunteers in the country, Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports Pramod Madhwaraj has said that Karnataka is the only State that is funding NSS activities.

He was speaking at the University of Mysore (UoM) NSS Awards (2016-17) presentation ceremony organised as part of National Youth Week at Rani Bahadur Auditorium in Manasagangothri here recently.

Claiming that the number of NSS volunteers has doubled in the past couple of years due to the relentless efforts of Youth Empowerment Department, the Minister said that 32 lakh students are functioning as NSS volunteers in the country.

Stating that Karnataka has the credit or introducing NSS at High School level, he said that the State is spending Rs.13 crore annually for NSS activities.

Pointing out that the NSS was launched across the country in 1969, Madhwaraj explained the objectives of NSS.

Earlier, Bengaluru’s Sri Bhavatarini Ashram’s Mata Vivekamayi, who spoke after inaugurating the programme, explained the significance of the 125th anniversary celebration of Swami Vivekananda’s world famous Chicago Speech and said that there were no other instance in the world where the anniversary of a Speech was celebrated.

Pointing out that Swami Vivekananda’s thoughts were not limited to one specific community, she said that Vivekananda’s preachings covered entire humankind. Calling upon everyone to study Swami Vivekananda, she said that the philosopher’s thoughts earned wide appreciation from intellectuals of western countries.

NSS Awards: Maharani’s Science College in city bagged the first place, while Srirangapatna’s Government First Grade College bagged the second place in the Best Unit Category.

V.R. Ramesh Babu of Maharani’s Science College bagged the first place while M.B. Ranganath of Government First Grade College, Srirangapatna, bagged the second place in the Best Programme Officers Category.

R.N. Manju of Shanthi College, Malavalli, bagged Best Volunteer (boys) prize, while Nischitha of Government First Grade College, K.R. Nagar, bagged Best Volunteer (girls) prize.

M.K. Premkumar of Vidyavardhaka First Grade College bagged the U.K. Subbrayachar Memorial Award for the Best NSS Volunteer (boys), while N. Saraswathi of Maharaja College bagged the Best NSS Volunteer (girls) prize.

NSS Regional Director P.N. Poojar, State NSS Officer Dr. Gananathashetty Ekkar, UoM Acting VC Prof. C. Basavaraju, Registrar (Administration) D. Bharathi and others were present.