Indira Gandhi National Service Scheme Award to Don Bosco College Maram and to its Programme Coordinator

New Delhi, 19 November 2012:

The prestigious Indira Gandhi National Service Scheme Award (IGNSS) is conferred on Don Bosco College, Maram and Sr. Stella Thomas (commonly known as Sr. Arpita Therese) belonging to the congregation of Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate(SMMI), for the best programme officer of NSS for the year 2011-2012.

Don Bosco College Maram (DBCMaram), established in 2000, is a degree college in the tribal and hilly area of Manipur. DBCMaram is the first college to be selected nationally for such prestigious award Manipur ever since the award was established in the year 1969. Fr. Benny James SDB, the principal of Don Bosco College, Maram and Sr. Arpita Therese received the award from the President of the country in a very colourful and impressive ceremony that was organized in the Darbar Hall, Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on 19 November 2012.

A cash award of Rs. 70000/- and a trophy and Rs. 20000/-, citation and a medal were conferred on the Principal and the Programme Officer respectively.The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India has instituted the Indira Gandhi National Service Scheme (NSS) Awards to recongnise the Voluntary Service rendered by NSS volunteers, Programmes Officers, NSS Units and Colleges. These awards were instituted in the year 1993-1994. Since then, these awards are given away every year at four levels namely University, Programme Officer, NSS Unit and NSS Volunteer. It is expected that these awards will encourage the awardees to work with more dedication for the community development in future.

Sr. Arpita Therese hails from Kerala and has been serving as a lecturer in Don Bosco College Maram, Manipur in the department of English since 2007. From 2009 onwards, she has been actively involved in the NSS unit of the college as tireless programme officer. National Service scheme (NSS) is a Governmental and the biggest organization of the youth was launched on 24th Sept. 1969, with its motto, “Not me But You”. She is also the coordinator of the Red Ribbon Club (RRC) of the college, which was launched in 2011 under Manipur Aids Control Society (MACS).

The NSS in Don Bosco College, Maram has seen new heights under the leadership and encouragement given by the Management, the Principal, Vice Principal, staff and student community and the different stake holders of the College. In the past years, she has helped volunteers to explore their talents with many exposure programmes. This is seen in the regular participation of at least one volunteer in the Republic day parade, Adventurous camps, Exchange programs in China etc. Sr. Stella also had taken part in several training programmes both at National and Regional levels. Some of the commendable activities carried out under her leadership are Voluntary Blood Donation, Tree plantation, Cleanliness drive, Repair of NH 39, HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign, Outreach Programmes to the neighbouring schools, Special camping in the adopted villages and a host of other activities.

A total of 1 Universities, 10 colleges, 10 programme officers and 30 volunteers received the national award today from the Honourable President of the Country Shri. Pranab Mukherjee. Don Bosco College, Maram with the assistance of Government of Manipur, Manipur University and different supportive agency has grown to be household name in educational field. The number of students in the college has increased in the recent years with the introduction of new courses like BCA, BSW etc.

DBCMaram has become a centre of learning and excellence. This national award had brought in lots of joy and commitment to youth development and educational enterprise among the needy young people of today .