the government of India, and are usually located in a rural village or a city suburb. Volunteers may be involved in such activities as: Cleaning Afforestation Stage shows or a procession creating awareness of issues such as social problems, education and cleanliness Awareness Rallies Inviting doctors for health camps Community Survey There are no predefined or preassigned tasks; it is left up to the volunteers to provide service in any way that is feasible. Camps typically last between a week and 10 days, although camps for shorter periods are also conducted by NSS. Themes of the programme In the past the themes of the Special Camping Programmes have been 'Youth Against Famine', 'Youth Against Dirt and Disease', 'Youth for Rural Reconstruction', 'Youth for Eco-Development', 'Youth for Mass Literacy', l Harmony', 'Youth for Sustainable Development with special focus on Watershed Management and Wasteland Development' `Healthy Youth For Healthy India` Other initiatives In some institutions and colleges volunteers are involved in regular blood donation and traffic control (regulating queues in temples and preventing stampedes at functions). National conferences are held regularly to conduct white-paper and project presentations. and NSS resembles the Bharat Scouts and Guides, National Cadet Corps (NCC) and other programmes developed for national welfare. NSS Awards To recognize the voluntary service rendered by NSS volunteers, Programme Officers (PO's), NSS Units and the University NSS Cells, it has been proposed to provide suitable incentives/ awards under the scheme. Awards include: NSS National Award State level awards University level awards District level awards College level awards This award for the appreciable work of the volunteer in the College level camp. and overall performance of the student in the given year. NSS Manual Orientation of students in national problems. Study of philosophy of NSS. Basic concepts and components of NSS. National service scheme ( NSS) volunteers. Special camping programme. Fundamental rights, Directive principles of state policy. Awareness programme, Consumer awareness, Highlights of consumer act. Function literacy non formal education of rural youth. Environment enrichment and conservation. Health, family welfare and nutrition. See also National Cadet Corps (India) (NCC) National Police Cadet Corps (India) (NPCC) Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) Rashtriya Military Schools (RMS) Sainik School References Further reading National Service Scheme: A Report, by Khwajala Ghulama Saiyidain. Published by Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, 1961. Training and consultancy needs in national service scheme, by N. F. Kaikobad, Krishan K. Kapil. Published by