Page 110 - GHES-3-3

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
COVID-19 and youth volunteering in India

Youth Affairs and Sports (National Service Scheme, n.d.). By analyzing a range of information sources, this article
The NSS organizes regular activities and special camping aims to illuminate the historical context, current landscape,
programs that are fundamental to its mission, engaging in and future prospects of the NSS and youth volunteerism
tasks such as raising awareness, conducting campaigns on in India while addressing financial considerations and the
various social issues, and providing social services. This factors contributing to the NSS’s reduced visibility during
movement has gained considerable momentum within the pandemic.
educational institutions, contributing to nation-building The far-reaching effects of the pandemic necessitated
efforts. NSS volunteers have played a pivotal role in a reassessment of the NSS, initiated in 1969, and the
effectively disseminating information through awareness Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, established in 1972 (Patel,
programs about critical issues such as Pulse Polio, HIV/ 2016), both of which play a crucial role in promoting
AIDS, and Swachh Bharat (n.d, 2022).
youth volunteerism in India. However, this reassessment
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic overlooked the significant potential of a skilled youth
presented an unprecedented health emergency, significantly population trained to respond to emergencies. The
impacting human resources and economies worldwide. United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,
The repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown as highlighted by Raikes et al. (2017), underscores the key
significantly influenced various aspects of life, manifesting role of youth in advancing sustainable development goals
in alterations to the accessibility and framework of (SDGs). Young individuals, equipped with the requisite
education, heightened food insecurity (stemming from energy and dedication, are indispensable for driving
scarcity and price volatility), a downturn in the global social initiatives, particularly in times of crisis such as
economy, rising mental health issues, and declining overall pandemics. To enable NSS volunteers to participate
well-being and quality of life, among other consequences effectively in such situations, it is essential to enhance their
(Onyeaka et al., 2021). skills in community intervention techniques. Community
In India, the significant contributions of volunteerism, organization, a fundamental aspect of social work,
institutional frameworks, and collaborative initiatives in employs various strategies – such as organizing, advocacy,
mitigating the COVID-19 crisis have been underscored. service delivery, and development – that professional
Vulnerable groups, especially the impoverished and social workers can utilize to tackle community challenges
marginalized (NITI Aayog, 2020), received prompt support (Funk & Pathare, 2003). Therefore, it is crucial to provide
from both the central and state governments (Ministry of professional training by qualified social workers to prepare
Health and Family Welfare, 2021). Furthermore, voluntary NSS youth volunteers to effectively address pressing issues
organizations played a crucial role in delivering vital and challenges. Consequently, implementing structural
services during this difficult period. As the COVID-19 reforms within institutions to bolster youth volunteerism
pandemic intensified in early 2020 before gradually is of utmost importance.
subsiding by late 2021, the government relied heavily on The execution of structural reforms within such
its frontline workers, including healthcare professionals, volunteer organizations is crucial for promoting youth
sanitation staff, and law enforcement (Oxford Policy volunteerism. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted
Management, 2024). the importance of encouraging increased participation
Although NSS volunteers in certain areas of the in programs such as the NSS and enhancing volunteer
country played pivotal roles in raising awareness about opportunities for young people. This context underscores
the importance of mask-wearing, hand sanitizer use, the urgent need for institutions to implement changes that
and vaccination, there existed a significant gap in their will support and cultivate youth involvement in volunteer
mobilization. Despite their potential for meaningful activities during periods of crisis. By adopting these
contribution, NSS volunteers were not adequately engaged structural adjustments, the NSS can create more avenues
to meet the pressing need for awareness-raising and for young individuals to engage in and make meaningful
connecting individuals with essential healthcare services, contributions to their communities.
including first aid, ambulances, standard medical care, and
vaccination initiatives. The crisis highlighted the urgent 1.1. Research questions
need to involve resourceful and proactive youth in social Given the above scenario, the research questions for this
programs. However, the insufficient training provided to study were as follows:
NSS volunteers hindered their effectiveness as frontline • Why were NSS volunteers not viewed as an essential
responders. This scenario revealed the need for structural volunteer support system by both the central and state
reforms within institutions that foster youth volunteerism. governments during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 102 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.4717