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DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK AND NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME

Cheryl Francis (Director)

The primary objective of the department is to reach out to the underprivileged and marginalized sections of society and bring about a desired change in the present scenario. It brings the students together for a greater cause and to create a sense of social awareness amongst them. It establishes a constructive linkage between the campus and the community at large. The motto of NSS “Not Me but You” enhances the essence of democratic living and upholds the need for selfless service in society. Our main endeavour is to fulfill the vision and mission of our college that is ‘to create men and women for others’.

The primary activities held in 2010 are as follows:

Happy New Year - 20 students organized a New Year gathering for about 200 village children from 3 villages at Ragavpur. Survey - About 25 students conducted a survey in the new market area to assess the number of children who have dropped out of school. After the survey a learning centre has been set up in the area to attend to the education needs of those children. Re – dedication Day in honour of Fr. Babu Beckers, SJ - An evening was devoted in honour of Fr. Babu Beckers, SJ who was the pioneer of social work in College. With the SXCCAA an evening of prayer and devotional songs was organized. In March, Women’s Day was organized at Debipur in collaboration with the local Mahita Samiti. Games and cultural programme was organized in the village by 25 volunteers. In April, more than 60 students belonging to various departments visited Bholakhali for a day to be with the students of the adopted school. The Biotechnology department surveyed another new village called Balarampur. About 35 students spent a day and on the basis of their survey report a learning centre has been set up in the village.

Village to College Camp – In June, 65 children from Shalpukur, Debipur and Paikhala attended the camp in college for three days, the theme being “Aaj amader chuti”. Activities included visit to BITM, Victoria Memorial campus tour etc. College to Village Camp – 3 camps were organized at Bolorampur, Paikhala and Gurap. About 75 students were involved in these camps of 3 days duration spread throughout the year.

In August, 646 students donated blood in the Blood Donation camp with about 120 volunteers organizing the camp. The NSS volunteers celebrated the 63rd Independence Day of our country at Paikhala. They began their proceedings with hoisting of the National Flag followed by the National Anthem. A beautiful program was put up by the school students along with the NSS volunteers. There were songs and dances performed by small children and the enthusiasm with which they took part in the program was really appreciable. September witnessed the CWG awareness campaign - The Department organized the Commonwealth Games Awareness Campaign, LEVEL- I, with the objective of promoting India’s biggest sporting extravaganza till date. Five events namely essay-writing, poster making, debate, dance, & lecture presentations were conducted. Winners were awarded prizes. The Jute Bag promotion – “Say No to Plastic Bag” campaign also deserves a special mention. All those who registered themselves with the department received a jute bag that is eco-friendly and bio degradable. The department has sold more than 1100 jute bags to the students, teaching & non teaching staff till mid September. On 19th September, computers were installed at Bholakhali and a small library with books and furniture were gifted to them. October experienced the Puja Camp at Gurap with 50 Xaverians sharing the life of a construction worker for 7 sevens. This manual work was undertaken for the upcoming hostel for the tribal girls whose hearts are illuminated with the hope of receiving education in this remote part of the country. The campers used to be ready at the break of dawn at 5.30am & extend their work session till 11am, powered by the breakfast in between at around 8am. The work continued from 3pm to 5pm, intervened by bath, rest & lunch break. On 14th November, the NSS set up a games stall at the St. Joseph’s Old Age Home helping them to raise funds. This stall was judged the Best Decorated Stall and this stall raised the highest collection.

On 5th December, the NSS volunteers from Loreto College held a one day programme at Paikhala and they were very impressed with what they saw at Paikhala. “I wish I was in Xavier’s” exclaimed Pratiksha, one of the students. This was the first joint venture with NSS unit of Loreto. On 12th December Fr. Principal inaugurated the community centre at Shalpukur which was rebuilt and the new extension building at Paikhala. Mr. Snehasis Sur, Secretary of SXCCAA along with some of his Council members, was part of the inaugural function, as the Paikhala extension was contributed by the SXCCAA.

Besides the programmes mentioned, NSS volunteers visited 4 villages every Sunday and spent time with the children teaching and playing with them. Some also volunteered at the IICP, Prem Daan, St. Joseph’s Old Age Home, Asha Niketan etc. on a regular basis.

This year NSS received some awards from the Calcutta University. Dist IV with headquarter at St. Xavier’s was awarded one of the Best Districts. Ms. Cheryl Francis was awarded as one of the Best Programme Officer and Aryaman Kejriwal was awarded one of the Best Volunteers for 2009-10. St. Xavier’s College also received the Dr. P.S. Job Memorial Award from AIACHE for project PRAYAS.