The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, through its regional Directorate of NSS, organizes five Pre-Republic Day Parade Camps each year across various parts of the country. These camps select outstanding NSS volunteers to participate in the Republic Day Parade on January 26 at Rajpath, New Delhi. This year, the Regional Directorate of NSS Jaipur had the opportunity to organize the North Zone Pre-Republic Day Camp for three regional directorates Jaipur, Delhi, and Chandigarh covering the states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Chandigarh, and Ladakh. Since 1988, NSS volunteers have proudly participated in the Republic Day Parade. This year’s 10-day Pre-Republic Day Camp, hosted by Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, was attended by over 200 NSS volunteers and contingents from four states (Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan) and four union territories (Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi, and Chandigarh) from the North Zone. The camp aimed to foster patriotism, unity, and cultural exchange among participants. The camp was inaugurated by Shri S.P. Bhatnagar, Hon’ble Regional Director, NSS Directorate, Jaipur, Govt. of Rajasthan, and hosted by NSS Coordinator Dr. Sudhir Verma of Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, with Youth Officer Shri Komal Singh Chaudhary, and Mr. Krishna Nandan serving as camp coordinator overseeing the event. Prof. Praveen Chaudhary, Registrar, delivered the keynote address, and Mr. Pawan Kumar Sharma served as camp commandant. Each day of the 10-day camp began at 5:00 AM and concluded at 10:00 PM. The daily schedule ran from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM, blending fitness routines, drills, and cultural performances. included a Jaipur city tour and an evaluation by selection committee members. The daily schedule included Prabhat Pheri (5:00-5:30 AM), morning tea (5:30-6:00 AM), a morning assembly with the NSS Song, yoga, and “thought of the day” (6:00-7:00 AM), followed by personal time (7:00-8:00 AM) and breakfast (7:30-8:00 AM). Parade practice sessions occurred from 8:00-10:00 AM, with breaks and additional activities like educational sessions from 2:00- 3:30 PM, cultural programs (6:00 -8:30 PM), and Dinner ( 8:30-8:30 PM) followed by a daily review meeting for contingent leaders. From the Union Territory of Ladakh, four NSS volunteers were selected for the 10-day Pre Republic-Day Camp through an interview process conducted by NSS Directorate, New Delhi. These volunteers, representing Kargil Campus, Leh Campus, and EJM College-Leh, University of Ladakh, actively participated in all camp activities with enthusiasm and dedication. It was the first time NSS volunteers from UT-Ladakh were given the opportunity to participate in a Pre-Republic Day Camp. On the first day, contingents from UT-Ladakh showcased their cultural dance, and Dr. Sonam Angmo provided a briefing about Ladakh’s culture to the audience. On the fifth day, the organizers arranged a tour of Jaipur city, where the volunteers explored famous sites like Amer Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Amber Palace, Sheesh Mahal, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Jal Mahal, and Albert Hall Museum. On the seventh day, members of the selection committee for the Pre-Republic Day Camp, including Shri M. Ramakrishna, Regional Director, NSS Directorate, Hyderabad, and Shri Girdhar Upadhyay, Regional Director, NSS Regional Directorate, Patna, conducted a parade interview trial for contingents from UT-Ladakh, UT-Jammu & Kashmir, and other states. Dr. Sonam Angmo, a faculty member of Environmental Science, served as the contingent leader for UT-Ladakh and UT-Jammu & Kashmir, accompanying four volunteers from Ladakh and eleven from UT-Jammu & Kashmir. Her responsibilities included participant registration, coordination with camp organizers, communication with other contingent leaders, and addressing any health or daily issues faced by the contingent. Dr. Angmo also actively participated in cultural programs with the contingent from UT-Ladakh, performing traditional dances like Jabro and a modern Ladakhi dance and also Rajasthani Dance dedicate to Rajasthan audiences. Her leadership and dedication contributed to a successful camp experience. Several distinguished speakers were invited for academic sessions, including Shri S.P. Bhatnagar, Ms. Pushpa Mayi, Dr. Shilpa Rao, Mr. Somnath Sharma, Mr. Aman Chaudhary, an IAS officer from Rajasthan, Director Nehru Yuva Kendra, and Presidential awardee NSS volunteers. They delivered lectures on various topics, including cyber security, challenges faced by transgender communities, World Food Day, and the My Bharat Portal. The camp concluded on October 23 with a Valedictory Ceremony, attended by dignitaries Shri Sagar Mondal, SO (Admn) and Shri Rakesh Chandra, SO (Cash) from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, New Delhi, and Mr. Kailash Chand Paharia, Member Secretary, Youth Board, Rajasthan, who encouraged the volunteers. Certificates were distributed to all participants, and contingent leaders were honored with mementos. The 10-day Pre-Republic Day Camp held at VGU, Jaipur, was a resounding success, promoting patriotism, unity, and cultural exchange among participants. It is recommended that UT-Ladakh increase NSS participation by conducting workshops and training volunteers in Ladakh’s rich cultural diversity. Currently, only two colleges and two University of Ladakh campuses have NSS units. Increasing NSS awareness in other colleges in UT-Ladakh and promoting registration on the My Bharat Portal will further enhance NSS engagement in the region
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