Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar marks NSS Day with ‘NSS@24: 24 Acts of Service’

The NSS Unit of Apeejay College of Fine Arts (ACFA), Jalandhar, marked NSS Day 2026 by launching ‘NSS@24: 24 Acts of Service’, an initiative aimed at encouraging students to embrace social responsibility and contribute meaningfully to society. Through a series of service-oriented activities, the initiative sought to nurture a spirit of selfless service while encouraging young people to become more sensitive toward the needs of their community and environment.

Addressing students on the occasion, Principal Dr. Neerja Dhingra highlighted that the primary objective of the National Service Scheme is the holistic development of students’ personalities along with fostering sensitivity towards society. Appreciating the theme ‘NSS@24:24’, she noted that such initiatives encourage young people to participate actively in nation-building and help them develop into responsible and socially conscious citizens.

Elaborating on the initiative, Dr. Simkee Dev, Dean of the NSS Wing, explained that the ‘Act of Service’ had been divided into seven broad areas. These include developing a spirit of service toward the college; demonstrating dedication toward college staff; extending goodwill toward classmates; becoming sensitive toward the environment and encouraging others to do the same; creating awareness among students about the harmful effects of substance abuse; spearheading initiatives related to physical and mental health; and collaborating with organisations such as Goonj to collect stationery, rations and other essential items from students and teachers for distribution among those in need.

As part of the NSS Day observance, students pledged to undertake 24 acts of service, giving a practical dimension to the theme. The initiative aims to instil values of social service, responsibility and selflessness among students, while encouraging them to recognise that meaningful change can begin with small, consistent actions.

The launch of the activities began with an e-waste collection campaign focused on environmental conservation. Students collected electronic waste from their homes and deposited it with a designated official for appropriate disposal. The initiative highlighted the importance of responsible e-waste management and the need to prevent improper disposal from contributing to environmental pollution.

The NSS Wing also launched the BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) campaign, drawing attention to the environmental concerns associated with the widespread use and disposal of plastic bottles. Through the campaign, students were encouraged to adopt more sustainable everyday practices and make environmentally responsible choices.

Dr. Neerja Dhingra highly appreciated the service initiatives undertaken by the NSS Wing and extended her best wishes to Dr. Simkee Dev and the students for the continued success of the activities. The ‘NSS@24: 24 Acts of Service’ initiative thus set the tone for a sustained engagement with service, environmental responsibility and community welfare, reinforcing the role of youth in building a more responsible and compassionate society.