CHANDIGARH:Life is like a play and it is not the length but how acted one that matters.
The adage seems to be just opted for Bikram Rana, SLO, Chandigarh NSS Cell, retired from
active government service on April 30 and someone else to take over the place. Growing up
in a remote area once called ‘Kala Paani’ did not let his vision crumble with his
determination. Moved to Chandigarh to prove his mettle, highly qualified he preferred
teaching as his profession, Joined Government College, Kalka. In 2008, the Chandigarh
Administration was looking for a man who can revive NSS Cell lying in ICU. He was found
suitable for his aptitude to work among youth. He joined Administration in 2008 as SLO,
Chandigarh NSS Cell.
Passion plus perseverance and meticulous planning have brought improvement in the
working of NSS Cell. He has mooted an innovative plan to chanellise the energy of youth.
From a measly 400 in 2008 to masterly over 18, 000 strong youth force up to end 2021
comprising 136 regular NSS units and 23 self-financing units, each unit consists of 100
volunteer. He succeeded in imbibing the instinct of community service among NSS
volunteers. There is no dearth of acctivities in which the NSS volunteers have not been
involved. NSS volunteers are being deputed on regular basis in the services of patients and
their attendants at PGI thus feel the pulse of community activities. He introduced first-of-its-
kind initiative to develop ‘NSS Herbal Garden’ in government as well as private schools and
pickle making business in rural areas of Chandigarh won applause from the Ministry of HRD.
“pickle making’ initiative has revolutionized the economic condition of rural folk especially
women of Chandigarh.
In 2020 when COVID-19 was in its peak in Chandigarh, there was a force of NSS
volunteers that has been working tirelessly for poor away from media attention. From
distribution of medicines, ration and packets of cooked food among the people in distress to
activeness on social media volunteers were busy silently to complete the assigned work. Over
34, 000 videos of face mask making have been shared with members, various groups, youth
and villagers. Within two months around 8, 000 people have started mask making work and
prepared over one lakh masks and distributed among the poor free.
Mr Rana has been awarded national level SKOCHAwar in Order-of-Merit for his
outstanding services during Corona Mukt Abhiyan. Besides, he was awarded state level
commendation award for meritorious services in public services by the Governor, Punjab and
Administrator Chandigarh Prof V.P. Singh Badnore on Independence Day 2020. He also
served as state nodal officer for COVID-19 from Ministry of Health, GOI.
Within a span of five years of his stint, its volunteer was awarded the prestigious
Indira Gandhi National Best NSS volunteer in 2012 for the first time since its inception in
1988. Next year, NSS Cell walked away with three awards—Best Volunteer, Best NSS
Programme Officer and Best NSS Unit across the country.
The Chandigarh Administration has accorded his proposal for three types of
gradation certificate to NSS volunteers on the pattern of NCC. These certificates get
weightage of two marks, two-and-a-half marks and three marks respectively seeing admission
in higher classes. To transform NSS into more lucrative and job-oriented to the youths, the he
has introduced skill development schemes along with academics.
Passing time in leisure and passing time for others to enjoy their life are two
different things, the former has many followers while the latter has only a few. He is one of
those few people in the second category. He, thorough out his association with NSS Cell
hasenlightened many youth, children, people from all walks of life through is motivational
speeches and actions.
“The problem is never how to get new, innovative thoughts into one’s mind, but
how to get old ones out, ” says Mr Rana. Whatever one got in life depends on the deeds one
does in life. Deed has been a part of Bikram Rana’s life in its plural sence.