The volunteer of National Service Scheme (NSS) of Nagpur Veterinary College affiliated to Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU) Divesh Ginnare bagged National level best volunteer award. In a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi he received the award at the hands of President of India Draupadi Murmu on Saturday. Divesh has become the first student in India from Veterinary Science course to bag the award. Nobody till now from this course has stood the best NSS volunteer in the country. Divesh got this award for outstanding social service rendered under National Service Scheme (NSS). He immensely contributed to the society during COVID period. Previously, he was awarded with best NSS volunteer of Maharashtra state. Divesh hails from Indore, underwent hardships while rendering service to society especially during coronavirus pandemic. He stayed in Nagpur with his family at Indore, kept working tirelessly for the social cause. “I went into villages, sometimes with my colleagues, sometimes alone to create awareness about mask distribution, sanitiser awareness, sanitary napkin distribution. I also worked with Nagpur Plogger’s group for cleanliness work.

 

Our college conducted activities at Futala lake in which I participated. With organisation Agnipankh, I took part in food distribution,” narrated Divesh while talking to ‘The Hitavada’. During coronavirus pandemic on one hand colleges were closed on the other Divesh kept touring villages for the social work. Due to lockdown, common things like food, water were not available but he did not afraid of doing hardships. Instead of going home, he chose to render services to the needy. His family was worried and at times Divesh too felt homesickness. During those tough times he got support from his College Programme Officer Vaishali Banthia who kept his working spirit alive.

 

“There were occasions when I wan moving from villages to villages, I felt like I would fall ill but Vaishalimam supported me a lot. I think I could achieve this milestone because of her support,” Divesh expressed gratitude towards his Programme Officer. Divesh’s father Nandkishor Ginnare is a retired officer of Canara Bank. His mother Santosh is housewife. His younger brother Jayesh is studying in Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) while sister Nandini is doing engineering from Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune. While doing social work, managing studies was a very difficult task so Divesh needed mental peace. To have balanced state of mind Divesh used to do running, meditation. He never broke his connect with his family.

 

When he came to know about the award on September 16, he immediately called his mother who felt so proud about her son. Why Divesh got selected for the award among all the students when others too endeavored? Divesh replied, “Rendering social work is not the only parameter. One requires leadership quality, communication skill to become best. I went to Sonoli Grampanchayat near Saoner number of times all alone where I talked to people about relinquishing habit of tobacco. Villagers never listen to you unless you have that top class communication skill.” Vice-chancellor of MAFSU Dr Ashish Paturkar, Associate Dean of Nagpur Veterinary College Dr Somkuwar, College NSS Program Officer Dr Vaishali Banthia and NSS University Coordinator Dr Rajesh Limsay congratulated Divesh for his huge success. 

 

‘NSS should get due importance’ Though Divesh was proud of receiving award at Rashtrapati Bhavan, he felt sorry that NSS is neglected a lot. “I am the first veterinary student in the country to receive this honour. But, I regret that NSS was ignored in our colleges, universities. Importance is given to NCC for which I have no objection. But NSS teaches students to become ideal citizens. Our country can become a cultured one if it has good, law-fearing citizens. Institutions like NSS, Nehru Yuva Kendra, scout-guide should be given due importance,” felt Divesh.