N.S.S. Unit of Patkar - Varde College held an Inauguration Function on August 5, 2008. The function was inaugurated by Vice Principal Mrs. Beena Mashelkar and Dr. Madhu K. Kapoor, by lighting the auspicious lamp. N.S.S. volunteer Ms. Pallavi Naik welcomed Vice Principals, faculty members and students.

Vice Principals and Teachers were felicitated by N.S.S. student Secretary Mr. Vikram Khandekar by offering flowers and Tulsi saplings. Dr. Sushmita Negi briefed every one about the N.S.S. activities to be held in the academic year 2008-2009. On this occasion N.S.S. students sought blessings of their teachers. Vice Principal Incharge, N.S.S. Unit, Dr. Madhu K. Kapoor expressed her happiness over the idea of presenting Tulsi saplings. She expressed hope that N.S.S. students will continue to work for the cause of conservation of nature. A vote of thanks was offered by Mr. Sachin Bhagat.

The inaugural function was followed by a screening of short films (of total duration of 45 minutes). These short films, which were based on a few social issues, were
1. Kuk-doo-koo
2. What is my fault
3. Right here - Right Now.

These short films were appreciated by the students and teachers with many of them requesting for more such screenings in future.

N.S.S. volunteers of Patkar College participated in the Hiroshima Day Peace Rally organized by Sarvoday Mandal on august 6, 2008. The purpose of the Peace Rally was to spread awareness about the harmful, devastating effects of Nuclear Weapons. It's a symbiotic event to express that we Indians are with the people of the world on the issue. The Rally started from Azad Maidan and concluded at Hutatma Chowk where a pledge was taken by participants to work for Peace and Nuclear-Free World. Couple of our students carrying posters on the subject were covered extensively by the electronic media.

On the occasion of Rakshabandhan (August, 16, 2008) N.S.S. volunteers organized sale of Rakhis in the college. The main purpose behind this sale was to help the mentally challenged students of 'Punarvas'.

Punarvas, located at S.V. Road, Goregaon (W), is a Special and vocational Training Centre for mentally challenged children and adults. N.S.S. Volunteers personally visited Punarvas and saw how mentally challenged students were making Rakhis. More than 150 rakhis were sold by N.S.S. volunteers of Patkar College. The money earned was directly handed over to Punarvas.

N.S.S. unit acknolwedges all those students and staff members who purchased Rakhis and extended a helping hand in this noble act.

One of the important motives of each N.S.S. volunteer of Patkar College is to help the underprivileged. That is why they came forward to help "Hightech Foundation" by selling flags made by mentally challenged people. N.S.S. volunteers sold five hundred National flags to their friends and respected teachers on 'No - Profit' basis. The money acquired by this college level activity was submitted to the foundation.

Time : 10.30 a.m., Just few hours before the Independence Day of our Nation.

Although it was bright and sunny on the eve of Independence Day, the campus ground was still muddy and slippery as it had rained the previous night. However, this did not deter the enthusiasm of N.S.S. volunteers of Patkar College. As usual, they were charged, self-motivated and self-inspired to do something. They had already sold 500 flags, as a part of this college level activity. Programme Officer Dr. Sushmita Negi asked them to clean the college campus, right from the Entrance Gate to the Canteen side. to her surprise, within a span of 10 minutes, a dozen of brooms arrived with a king size waste basket. Volunteers divided themselves in Groups. Old and fresh volunteers equally participated in this campus cleaning drive, with lot of enthusiasm. By 12.30 p.m. the campus was shining ! There were onlookers wondering what is happening.

The N.S.S. Unit would like to specially thank all those senior N.S.S. volunteers who due to some reasons could not enroll with the N.S.S. this year, but participated in full strength in this activity.

It is needless to mention that Independence Day has a special place in heart of each and every N.S.S. volunteer. They have special emotions attached to this day. Perhaps that is the reason they join the National Service Scheme. More than 35 students came to the college and joined hand with N.C.C. to celebrate the Independence Day. Chief Guest of the Day, Principal Dr. Uday Mashelkar unfurled the Tricolour. Vice Principal Dr. A.G. Gadre, Vice Principal on duty - Mrs. Beena Mashelkar and Dr. Madhu K. Kapoor were present on this occasion along with faculty members of other departments of the college.

"Hum Honge Kamyaab" sung by the N.S.S. volunteers expressed their determination to remain united and work, hand in hand, for the betterment of the society.

Principal Sir, in his speech specially mentioned about the new and changed face of N.S.S. Thank you sir ! We look forward to encouragement, guidance and support from you.

Enrolment of N.S.S. volunteers for the academic year 2008 - 2009 started on August 23, 2008. A week before this N.S.S. Student Secretary Vikram Khandekar and Amar Pukle went from class to class to spread awareness among students regarding "what is National Service Scheme", "what are its aims and objectives", and "how N.S.S. helps students in their overall growth and personality development."

Miss. Pallavi Naik under the guidance of Dr. Sushmita Negi prepared posters with slogans to encourage students to join the N.S.S.

From August 23, 2008 to September 1, 2008, eighty students enrolled themselves with the N.S.S.

The 3rd Commonwealth Youth Games were held in Pune, Maharashtra from 12th October to 18th October 2008. The Commonwealth Baton had arrived in Mumbai on 6th September from Dahisar Check Naka at Thane. More than 45 N.S.S. volunteers gathered and lined up in front of Patkar College on the road leading to the city centre to encourage the athletes and cheer the baton - carrier on their way to Pune.

The flags and cheering items were prepared by N.S.S. volunteers on their own.

Ganesh Visarjan is a University level activity in which every year, N.S.S. volunteers of Patkar College work under the guidance of Police officials to maintain peace, discipline and order at and around the site of Visarjan.

This is one of the activities which demands ample patience and hard work as the volunteers have to discipline and guide groups of highly charged devotees who remain in a mood of celebration. Eighteen students of N.S.S. Unit of Patkar College volunteered to undertake this challenging task. They took charge of their duties at Bhujal Talav, located at Ram Nagar, Malad (E) (near Link Road). The job allotted to them was to discipline the devotees and traffic at and around the Visarjan site. N.S.S. volunteers worked hand in hand with the Police from 5.00 in the evening to 10.00 p.m. at night. Programme Officer Dr. Sushmita Negi was also present at the site to guide the N.S.S. volunteers. Senior N.S.S. volunteers Vikram Khandekar, Prakash Patel and Amar Pukle were at the venue till 11.30 p.m.

The N.S.S. unit of Patkar College organised a Blood Donation  and Thalassaemia Minor Screening Camp for students and staff of Patkar College on September 18, 2008.

          Having organised many college level activities,  during the current academic year, the N.S.S. Programme Officer, the N.S.S. Secretary and volunteers  decided it was high time a university level activity was organised, which basically means organising an activity involving other organisation(s).  It was unanimously decided to organise a Blood Donation Camp, for which we approached Prabodhan, Goregaon, which co-ordinated with Siddharth Municipal Hospital, Goregaon to make it happen.  Thalassaemia Screening tests were sponsored by the Lions Club of Juhu, which is committed to prevent Thalassaemia  Major.  The Think Foundation, Santacruz, also played a majaor role in behind the scene co-ordination.

          There was an overwhelming response with about 265 students volunteering for blood donation and / or Thalassaemia and Anaemia check-up.  Credit for such a large number turning up goes to N.S.S. volunteers who not only went from class to class motivating students, they also put up some excellent posters with imaginative  slogans inviting youngsters to come forward for this noble cause.  The appeal to students underlined the facts that "there is no alternative to  human blood", "It can not be produced in a factory" and "donated blood can give someone a new lease of life".

          While 107 students  volunteered to donate blood, 158 students turned up for Thalassaemia and Anaemia check-up.  Thalassaemia is a hereditary abnormality of haemoglobin.  There is  no cure for Thalassaemia.  Regular blood transfusion is the only remedy.  there are two types of Thalassaemia - silent / minor and major.  While Thalassaemia Major is a full blown disorder, requiring regular blood transfusion, Thalassaemia Minor is harmless for those  who have it, though it  may result in their children being born with Thalassaemia Major.  So, it is  extremely important to identify youngsters with Thalassaemia Minor so that their children don't have to suffer.

          In all,  four cases of Thalassaemia  Minor and forty seven  cases of  Iron Deficiency Anaemia were detected.  These students are being advised to go for counseling sessions.

          After the camp, the N.S.S. Secretary, Vikram Khandekar presented a report to the Principal, Dr. Uday Mashelkar, who patted him and other N.S.S. volunteers for their spirit and efforts.

          The efforts and dedication of the N.S.S. unit also found encouragement and appreciation in a letter received from Prabodhan, Goregaon stating , "We would like to  mention that  the camp was very well organised  with enough care to satsify our need.  It was really a wonderful experience for us."

          Such appreciation also found an echo in a letter from the Think Foundation which stated,  "Blood Bank staff and patients attached to Prabodhan Blood Bank join us in saluting your commitment as a responsible institution."

N.S.S. Day was celebrated on September 24, 2008.  On this day N.S.S. volunteers enthusiastically participated in a two and half an  hour workshop on making posters and writing slogans.  Following two themes were selected for this purpose -
i)        Spreading Awareness about AIDS.
II)      Spreading Awareness about Nature Conservation.

          In the beginning, the N.S.S. volunteers were guided by the N.S.S. Programme Officer, Dr. Sushmita Negi as to  "how to make posters and write slogans".  Thirty six N.S.S. volunteers participated in this workshop and made very attractive and meaningful posters.  The workshop was held at Biology lab of the  Science Building.  N.S.S. unit expressed thanks to Vice Principal Dr. Madhu K. Kapoor and Lab. Assistant Mr. Anil Dethe for providing the lab space.

          More than 40 posters carrying slogans were  thereafter displayed by the students on the common Notice Boards at the staircase leading to the Main Building and the Science Building.

          The objective of this display was to spread awareness among the college students about AIDS and Nature conservation.

          The quality of posters was appreciated by students as well as teachers.