Kolkata, September 30, 2026

The Regional Directorate of National Service Scheme (NSS), Kolkata, has initiated “NSS Disaster Mates”, a volunteer-led initiative to strengthen the participation of NSS Volunteers in disaster response, relief and community support activities. The initiative seeks to build upon the long-standing tradition of NSS Volunteers responding to floods, cyclones and other natural calamities by providing a common identity and a coordinated platform for volunteer-led humanitarian action. It aims to facilitate greater coordination among NSS Units, educational institutions and local communities during emergencies.

The first major mobilisation under NSS Disaster Mates was undertaken in response to the floods in Assam. 20 NSS Units from fourteen institutions of West Bengal participated in the initiative and collectively mobilised ₹4,07,301/- (Rupees Four Lakh Seven Thousand Three Hundred One only) towards the Assam Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

The contribution was raised through voluntary efforts of NSS Volunteers, including contributions from their tiffin expenses and personal savings, crowdfunding activities and door-to-door campaigns.

The initiative enabled NSS Volunteers from West Bengal to extend support to communities affected by a natural calamity beyond the State, reflecting the spirit of the NSS motto “Not Me, But You.”

Building upon the experience of the Assam initiative, the Regional Directorate of NSS, Kolkata undertook “NSS Disaster Mates 2.0” to provide relief assistance to flood-affected families in Bhutni Island, Malda in coordination with the District Nodal Officer, NSS, Malda, with the participation of 55 NSS Units from fifty-five educational institutions across West Bengal.

A preliminary local survey was conducted to identify affected families and facilitate need-based distribution. On 26 September 2026, a team comprising 57 NSS Volunteers and teachers travelled to Hiranandapur village of Bhutni Island and distributed essential relief materials among 310 flood-affected families. Each relief package included essential household items such as rice, flattened rice, potatoes, sattu, soybean, chana dal, jaggery, biscuits, noodles and soap, along with a carrying bag.

The riverine geography and difficult accessibility of the area required the relief operation to be conducted through a combination of road and waterways. Relief materials and participating personnel were transported up to Manikchak Ghat, following which boats were used to reach the affected areas through Suksena Ghat, Doman Tola and Hiranandapur.

The total expenditure recorded for the relief operation was ₹1,71,311/-, including expenditure towards relief materials, transportation and logistical arrangements.

Shri Agnimeel Das, Regional Director, Regional Directorate of NSS, Kolkata, stated that NSS Disaster Mates has been conceived to provide a common identity and coordinated platform for the voluntary humanitarian action traditionally undertaken by NSS Volunteers during natural calamities. He emphasised that the initiative is intended to encourage young volunteers to remain sensitive to the needs of affected communities and contribute within their capacity whenever society faces a crisis.

He further highlighted that the response to the Assam flood initiative and subsequently to NSS Disaster Mates 2.0 in Bhutni Island demonstrates the strength of collective youth action. The participation of NSS Units from different parts of West Bengal, he noted, reflects how the spirit of “Not Me, But You” can be translated into meaningful support for communities in distress. He also underlined the objective of further strengthening a culture of preparedness, service and community solidarity among NSS Volunteers.

The NSS Disaster Mates initiative seeks to encourage NSS Volunteers to participate, as appropriate and in coordination with competent authorities, in activities relating to disaster preparedness, community awareness, emergency assistance, relief mobilisation, health and hygiene awareness, post-disaster support and community resilience.

The initiative also aims to strengthen coordination among NSS Units, Programme Officers, educational institutions, district-level NSS structures and local communities, enabling the NSS network to contribute in an organised manner during emergencies.

Through NSS Disaster Mates, the Regional Directorate of NSS, Kolkata seeks to further translate the spirit of “Not Me, But You” into coordinated community action and encourage young volunteers to contribute to society during times of need.

 

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