Mysore/Mysuru: Prof. K.S. Rangappa, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Mysore (UoM), has stressed the need to create awareness about health, education, social responsibility and cleanliness in rural areas through National Service Scheme (NSS) Units of all Degree Colleges that come under the Varsity ambit.

He was speaking at the training programme for 4th and 5th batches of NSS Coordinators of NSS-Empanelled Training Institute here on Tuesday.

The former VC said the NSS volunteers of all the colleges in UoM jurisdiction were in the forefront in social activities. Condition of villages will improve if these students make up their mind to do social service. So, there was a need for changing the working styles of NSS Units in the Varsities. Urbanites were aware of importance of social and educational responsibility, and cleanliness. But this message needs to be spread in rural areas. That can be done by NSS volunteers by visiting rural areas. The coordinators must extend cooperation in this regard, he added.

“When I was studying B.Sc in Sarada Vilas College, I had joined NSS. I continued to be its volunteer till the completion of M.Sc course in Manasagangothri. I am proud of serving in NSS. Involving in NSS will help to develop interest in social service. Forty years ago, there was no landline or mobile phones in villages. Now every village has mobile connectivity and information is spread within seconds. In the changed scenario, the NSS activities must also change”, Prof. Rangappa noted.

Prof. B. Chandrashekar, NSS Unit Coordinator, UoM, M.B.Suresh, NSS Course Coordinator, Prof. B.K. Chikkakempegowda, Programme Officer, Prof. Bahubali and Amshi Prasannakumar, senior journalist, were present at the inauguration of the training programme.