Kannur: NSS units to build houses for poor

KANNUR: Nearly 8,000 NSS volunteers from 80 NSS units under Kannur University will join together to build houses for the needy during this academic year with their unique project ‘Onathinoru Veedu’. As part of the project, two beneficiaries from the selected two units of the university will get houses constructed by NSS volunteers this year.

The university is also planning to expand the project by extending aid to more beneficiaries in the coming years. NSS units from affiliated colleges built six houses for the needy last year, too. The university NSS cell has also launched a number of other projects including promotion of organic farming with the co-operation of the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod.

Speaking to DC, Kannur University assistant registrar in-charge of NSS K.P. Muhammed said that the successful efforts by various NSS units to build houses in previous years have inspired the university to launch the ‘Onathinoru Veedu’ scheme. “Out of the 80 NSS units under Kannur University, two units (Nirmalagiri College, Kuthuparamaba, and DIA College, Paral) have been selected to undertake the project,” he said.

“All NSS units will collect and give Rs 3,000 and '2,000 each for the two selected units and the rest of the amount will be pooled from among themselves and through donations.” The university will also launch organic farming promotion by distributing 100 grow bags for all 80 units through the CPCRI. Each bag will be given to a volunteer, who will take care of it.

Kannur University has also decided to conduct NSS fest in competition basis from this year. Last year, the university had become the first in the state to conduct an exclusive fest for NSS volunteers. The university has also developed indigenous software to send progress report of volunteers to the regional directorate, first of its kind in the state.