Yalala Praveen Kumar, a Master of Philosophy student of the University of Hyderabad has received the Indira Gandhi NSS (National Service Scheme) Award for the year 2015-16. The scheme was launched in the year 1969 in many universities to encourage students to engage in community service. Today, it has millions of student volunteers across the country. Praveen Kumar was one of the only two volunteers who were selected from Telangana. He competed with 30 other volunteers from the country to win the award.
Praveen is ecstatic. “I feel very proud to have received the award from the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. At the university, it’s not just about academics but about social service too. They’ve encouraged me a lot and I feel great to be representing the university,” says the 24-year-old, who is pursuing his MPhil at the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy.
Yalala Praveen Kumar receives the Indira Gandhi NSS award from the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee.
Praveen has organised many blood donation camps and has donated blood during emergencies. He has planted 2,000 saplings throughout Hyderabad so far. He also conducts awareness programmes about AIDS, dengue, malaria and other diseases in rural villages.
“People in rural areas suffer due to lack of awareness. We tell them what the precautions are to avoid getting infected. There are women who suffer during menstruation due to lack of sanitation. We employ female volunteers to take care of their needs. There are many farmers who are still committing suicide. We teach them about organic farming and how they can incorporate it,” says Praveen, who has been engaged in social service since the past four years.
Praveen has also represented the UoH at various international, national and state level camps organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. “My inspiration is Dr Vasantha Srinivas Rao, the coordinator of NSS at the campus, without whom I couldn’t have achieved what I have today,” he says.
About the issue that concerns Praveen the most, he says, “Begging is a huge problem in the country. I had recently enrolled 10 girls into an orphanage and they left within a few days to continue begging. They are lured in by the prospect of money. The educational system is to blame. Government schools are in a horrible condition. What’s the point of providing free education, if the quality is so bad?” he questions.
He also urges youngsters to take up community service. “We must all preserve our environment. We should never think just for us, but also for the society,” he says.
