Hello, dear reader…
Have you ever lived a week that quietly reshapes your thinking, your habits, and even your understanding of life? I experienced such a transformation during my unforgettable seven-day National Service Scheme (NSS) camp, held from 2nd to 8th January 2026 at Pandit Sukhlalji Lokvidyalay, Maydhar, managed by Lokabharti Gram Vidhyapeeth Trust.
I participated in this camp as part of my internship programme, but it became much more than an academic task—it became a journey of discipline, service, awareness, and personal growth that I will always cherish.
About the School – A Place of Values and Inspiration
Pandit Sukhlalji Lokvidyalay is located in Maydhar, Taluka Palitana, Bhavnagar District, Gujarat, and provides education from Standard 9 to 12 for both boys and girls, with hostel facilities available. The campus is clean, green, and well-maintained, with a solar system, a large assembly hall called Santhagar, and residential quarters for teachers.
Students often study outdoors under the shade of trees, creating a peaceful and inspiring atmosphere. Prayer is conducted twice a day, which builds discipline and spiritual focus among students.
The school strongly follows Gandhian values and organizes programmes like Gandhi Gunjan, which promote teamwork, empathy, and moral character. It also has special learning centres such as the Aavishkar Science Center, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, and computer classes, encouraging practical and experiential learning.
In 2025, the school received the prestigious Darshak Sanman (Audience Award) presented by Morari Bapu for its excellent work in education and community service. He praised the institution for nurturing the five essential principles of education—Vidya, Vinay, Gun, Nipun, and Sheel (knowledge, humility, virtue, skill, and character).
Being in such an environment during the NSS camp felt truly inspiring.
Purpose of the NSS Camp – Learning Through Service
The NSS camp aimed to develop discipline, leadership qualities, environmental awareness, social responsibility, and the spirit of selfless service through community living and experiential learning.
The main focus was awareness about Global Warming. Through Shram Karya, village interaction, educational visits, Baudhik Satra, and academic activities, we learned about its causes, effects, and preventive measures while understanding rural life closely.
We realized that protecting nature is not just theory—it is our responsibility.
Inaugural Ceremony – A Meaningful Beginning
The NSS camp began with a formal inauguration ceremony in the presence of respected dignitaries. The programme was inaugurated by Dr. BharatSinh Gohil, NSS Director of Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University, Bhavanagar (MKBU).
The chief guests included Dr. Manisha Shah, Principal of Government College, Talaja. Special guests such as Dr. Bhavnaben Pathak and Punaben Dangar also graced the occasion.
They encouraged us to serve society with dedication and explained the true spirit of NSS—Not Me But You. Their inspiring words motivated us to participate actively and sincerely in every activity of the camp.
The ceremony created enthusiasm, discipline, and a sense of responsibility among all volunteers, marking a beautiful beginning of our NSS journey.
Daily Routine – Discipline in Action
Each morning began with Prabhat Feri and prayer, filling us with positivity and energy. Living together in a disciplined routine taught us punctuality, teamwork, patience, and respect for time.
Shram Karya – Service with Dedication
Community service was the heart of the camp. Activities included:
• Cleaning the village temple, Moksha Dham, and streets
• Writing awareness slogans on village walls
• Visiting primary schools to interact with children
• Assisting in cooking work
These activities taught us humility, teamwork, and the dignity of labour. We realized that real service is done silently, with love.
Village Interaction & Educational Visits
We conducted a Village Survey on Global Warming, collecting and documenting environmental practices of villagers.
We also visited:
• STEM Avishkar Vigyan Kendra
• KVK (Krushi Vikas Kendra)
• Mojlilu Shikshan Kendra
These visits gave practical exposure to science, agriculture, and innovative education.
Daily report reading, games, and group activities strengthened confidence, discipline, and friendship.
Active Participation as NSS Volunteers
As NSS volunteers, we actively participated in:
• Shram Karya – cleaning, slogan writing, school visits
• Village survey – data collection and documentation
• Baudhik Satra – attending lectures
• Academic project – translation presentation
• Daily activities – report reading, group discussions, games
All activities were conducted under Programme Officers with discipline and teamwork.
Baudhik Satra – Learning Beyond Books
The intellectual sessions conducted during the NSS Camp were highly inspiring and informative.
- Dr. Arunbhai Dave (Arun Dada), Managing Trustee of Lokbharti Gramvidhya Peeth, Sanosara, explained Global Warming and sustainable living with practical examples, creating strong awareness about environmental responsibility.
- Dr. Hasmukhbhai Devmurari, along with Dhartiben Jograna, conducted the “Brahmand Darshan” session through a detailed PowerPoint presentation. They explained the universe, planets, constellations, and astronomical concepts in a simple way. At night, they organized a naked-eye sky observation (Tara Darshan), where we observed stars and constellations directly. They also connected astronomy with both Indian and Western studies, explaining traditional Indian knowledge along with modern scientific understanding.
- Dr. Manharbhai Thakar, former Principal of Shri Gulabray Sanghvi B.Ed. College, Bhavnagar, spoke about Personality Development and Youth Empowerment, motivating students to build confidence, discipline, and positive thinking.
- Dr. Bhavanaben Pathak, Centre Coordinator and educationist of Pandit Sukhlalji Lokvidyalay, explained Biodiversity through interesting activities and practical examples, helping us understand the importance of nature conservation.
These intellectual sessions broadened our knowledge, improved our scientific thinking, and inspired us to become responsible and aware citizens.
✍️ Academic Project – Translation Presentation
As Sem-6 English students, we worked on a translation project based on selected letters written by Manubhai Pancholi (Darshak) from his book Chetovistarni Yatra, which contains thoughtful letters addressed to his disciple Mrudulaben. The original letters were in Gujarati, and our task was to translate them into Hindi and English. From our group work, we selected one letter and prepared three versions—Gujarati (original), Hindi translation, and English translation. During the Baudhik Satra, I presented the English translation. This activity improved my translation skills, language accuracy, communication ability, presentation confidence, and understanding of Manubhai Pancholi’s educational philosophy and values. Overall, the project gave us practical experience in translation and helped us understand how ideas, culture, and emotions are expressed through different languages.
Personal Growth Through NSS
Through interaction with villagers, teachers, and fellow volunteers, I improved:
• Communication skills
• Translation ability
• Presentation confidence
• Listening and speaking skills
This camp helped me grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
Life Lessons from NSS Camp
- Discipline – following routine sincerely
- Teamwork – working together in Shram Karya
- Social Responsibility – understanding community needs
- Environmental Awareness – learning sustainability
- Leadership – taking initiative with confidence
These lessons will guide my life.
Conclusion – Memories for a Lifetime
The NSS camp was well-organized, educational, and deeply inspiring. It strengthened my understanding of community service, environmental responsibility, teamwork, and personal development.
I sincerely thank the Principal, faculty members, Programme Officers, and everyone who guided us during the NSS camp.
Because sometimes…
Seven days are enough to teach a lifetime of values.
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