Y.S.Rana
CHANDIGARH: Utopian visions too often crumble in the cold light of present day reality but 30 years ago a simple ordinary child like others from Bamsan area of district Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh which was once described by the then chief minister of joint Punjab Pratap Singh Kairon as “Kalapaani” landed in Chandigarh does not allow his vision to crumble with his determination and sheer hard work.
Equipped with perseverance, prudent vision, meticulous planning and scrupulous programming of Mr Bikram Rana Chandigarh NSS Cell scale new heights. Its volunteer has been awarded the prestigious Indira Gandhi National NSS “Best NSS Volunteer” in 2012 for the first time since its inception in 1988. Next year, the Cell has made city proud when it was awarded three Indira Gandhi National NSS Awards in the categories of “Best Volunteer” “Best NSS Programme Officer” and the “Best NSS Unit” across the country.
Now Chandigarh NSS Cell has come to age and marked its noticeable presence not only in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports but also on the national NSS scene. From a measly 600 NSS volunteers in 2008, the Cell has mastered to 17, 000 NSS volunteers in 2015 comprising 136 regular units and 23 self-financing units. Outstanding performance of NSS Cell of Chandigarh takes its activities in Chandigarh head uphill.
Bikram Rana who came to Chandigarh for better opening where he can prove his mantle. He preferred teaching as his profession, After completing his matriculation from a village school, Mr Rana has completed his MA and M.Phil from the Panjab University, Chandigarh and did LL.B later on. He has also done two- year post graduate diploma course in Human Rights from the Indian Institute of Human Rights, New Delhi. He joined Government College, Kalka, as a lecturer through Haryana State Public Service Commission. He joined the Chandigarh Administration on deputation in 2008.
A multi-faced personality, Mr Rana devotes his time to find out new initiatives to take youth force forward and involve them in community services. While talking to Mr Rana said, ”He knows the youth force that can bring major change in the society but the point is how to use that force, ” Desire to channelize youth force in a proper way, he made a roadmap for the youth and started taking them forward. Now, the city has well oiled youth force that always ready to assist the Administration in every activity.
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He further said that his main priority was a linkage between campus and society. “If society pays to us it also becomes our duty to pay something back to the society, ” said Mr Rana.
The two initiatives of Mr Rana—development of herbal gardens concept in government schools and colleges and pickle making business in rural areas of Chandigarh have received national acclaimed. The concept has been introduced in all schools and colleges where NSS units are existed. These gardens are looked after and developed by the NSS units of respective schools and college. The Cell became the first of its kind across the country to introduce the concept. .
Another initiative of Mr Rana “pickle making” has brought revolutionized change in the economic condition of rural folk.
The Ministry has impressed by these initiatives asked all the NSS Cells across the country to emulate these activities in their respective areas to involve NSS volunteers in community development activities.
The Chandigarh Administration has also approved his proposal for three types of certificate gradation on the pattern of NCC. Now NSS volunteers who hold ‘A’ ‘B’ and ‘C’ certificates get weight age of two marks, two-and-a-half marks and three marks respectively while seeking admission in higher classes. “It has given a new dimension to higher education system and brought more students to community service platform, ” said he.
The age old maxim, where there is a will, there is a way, has been more than proved by Bikram Rana.