Chandigarh, 3 October: The NSS Units of Mehr Chand Mahajan DAV College for Women, in collaboration with the Debating Society and Creative Writing Club, organised a series of creative competitions under the initiative ‘Creative Expressions’ to commemorate the International Day of Non-Violence. The initiative sought to foster peace, harmony, mutual understanding, unity and non-violence among students.

Three competitions-Speech, Slogan Writing and Video Making, provided students a platform to creatively engage with contemporary issues of peace, civic responsibility and Gandhian values. The Speech Competition, themed “Building Bridges, Not Walls: The Role of Youth in Promoting Peace”, saw Vanshika Jamwal (M.A. I) secure the first position, followed by Anshika Kohli (B.A. III) and Supriya Bhatia (B.Sc. NM) in the second and third positions, respectively. The Slogan Writing Competition on “Civic Protests and Non-Violence” was won by Avni Singla (BBA-I) and Shranya Mahajan (B.Sc. II Medical), who secured the top positions. In the Video Making Competition on “Values of Non-Violence, Peaceful Civic Expression, Satyagraha and Gandhian Principles”, Druhi (B.A.-I) emerged as the winner. As part of the observance, students also took a pledge for communal harmony, reaffirming their commitment to peace, unity, mutual respect, brotherhood and peaceful coexistence, while respecting India’s diversity and promoting an inclusive society. In another initiative, the NSS Units and Eco Club Parivesh, in collaboration with Mission LiFE and My Bharat, organised a Plastic Collection Drive at the adopted village Badheri, Sector 41-D, Chandigarh, under Swachhata Hi Seva 2026.

NSS volunteers collected nearly 5.20 kg of plastic waste from streets and public spaces and handed it over to the local municipality for appropriate recycling and disposal. The volunteers also sensitised villagers about reducing plastic use, waste segregation and adopting sustainable lifestyles under Mission LiFE.

Officiating Principal Ms. Neena Sharma emphasised the importance of integrating creative expression with social responsibility and community engagement, and appreciated the NSS volunteers for taking the messages of non-violence, harmony, cleanliness and environmental consciousness beyond the college campus.