Chandigarh, 21 January 2026: The NSS Units of Mehr Chand Mahajan DAV College for Women inaugurated ‘Shakti 3.0’, a seven-day and night NSS Camp, sponsored by State NSS Cell, Department of Higher Education, Chandigarh Administration. The camp is being organised on the theme ‘Building Potential Through Upskilling’, with the objective of equipping student volunteers with essential life skills, leadership capabilities and a deep sense of social responsibility.
The inaugural day was graced by Dr Nemi Chand Golia, State Liaison Officer (NSS), U.T. Chandigarh, as the Chief Guest. The event was further graced by the presence of Mr Vivek Atray, IAS (Retd.), Author and Motivational Speaker, and Col. D. S. Cheema (Retd.),Author and Management Trainer, as the Guests of Honour.
Addressing the volunteers, Dr Golia appreciated the proactive efforts of the NSS units and motivated the volunteers to remain steadfast in their commitment to social service. Emphasising the NSS motto ‘Not Me But You’, he urged the volunteers to practise selfless service while maintaining their own health and happiness. He also lauded the college for its commendable contribution in successfully implementing initiatives such as Project Sarthi and Cyber Security awareness programmes, describing them as impactful steps towards community empowerment and digital safety.
Mr Vivek Atray, in his motivational address, spoke on recognising and realising one’s true potential. He cautioned against the “barrenness of busyness” and urged students to pause, reflect and identify skills that can be used in service of society. Emphasising that life is unpredictable, he highlighted the importance of continuous upskilling, resilience and inner strength to navigate life’s challenges. He encouraged volunteers to carry the inspiration gained from the camp forward and translate it into meaningful social impact. Col. D. S. Cheema highlighted the relevance of the NSS motto ‘Not Me But You’ in today’s VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) world. He stressed the need to realistically assess one’s abilities and respond to the world with compassion, love and peace. Quoting from Gurbani, he asserted that service to humanity is the highest form of devotion. He reminded students that ultimate happiness lies in making others happy and exhorted them to remain updated, creative, socially mindful and actively engaged in the nation’s journey of development.
The inaugural day witnessed a range of activities including a Nature Walk, sessions on ‘Basics of English’ by Dr Apara Sharma, Assistant Professor of English, ‘Disaster Management’ by Mr Arpit Kumar Dubey, and a campus cleanliness drive, along with other participatory activities. The camp will continue throughout the week with skill-development workshops, awareness programmes, community outreach initiatives and interactive sessions aimed at fostering social sensitivity, self-reliance and civic responsibility among NSS volunteers.
Officiating Principal Ms Neena Sharma highlighted that reaching out to the community is the most meaningful form of engagement, stressing the importance of inclusivity- an ethos proudly upheld by the college. She further noted that the purpose of education is to become more humane and that community education forms a vital component of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.