Page 115 - GHES-3-3

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

being freely undertaken, benefiting others, and being from the understanding that students in secondary and
unpaid. This approach is seen as a way for young people higher education often become disconnected from the
to reconnect with their country politically and socially rural and urban poor, representing a significant portion of
(Lister et al., 2002), engage with their local communities, the population. The educated youth, expected to assume
and navigate the uncertainties of an increasingly leadership roles in the future, frequently lack awareness
individualized society (Beck & Beck-Gernsheim, 2002; of the difficulties faced by these communities and, at
Hustinx, 2001). Nonetheless, studies indicate that youth times, exhibit indifference to their needs and concerns.
volunteering does not always yield favorable employment It is crucial to enhance students’ social consciousness by
outcomes, with negative results on career opportunities facilitating interactions with economically disadvantaged
frequently observed across various contexts, except for individuals or those living in rural areas as such
a few specific instances (Ellis Paine, 2014; Ockenden interactions are believed to illuminate the complexities of
& Hill, 2009; Wilson, 2000). The SDGs aim to foster life and encourage a positive transformation in students’
comprehensive development by addressing issues such as social perspectives. It is essential to reassess the NSS
poverty, health and well-being, unemployment, inequality, framework to improve the active involvement of NSS
and discrimination – issues that have been amplified by volunteers in public health initiatives by organizing
the COVID-19 pandemic. them into a collective movement that is prepared for
mobilization in times of crisis.
Health and well-being represent a vital goal within
the SDGs. As illustrated by the example of the NSS, it 7. Conclusion
is imperative to strengthen the capacity of volunteer
organizations to respond to emergencies and natural The youth population in India is regarded as a vital resource,
disasters (Mandal, 2023). In this context, NSS volunteers especially in times of crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic
have an important social responsibility (Das, 2020), significantly affected the country, hitting economically
especially during health emergencies, when their disadvantaged and vulnerable communities the hardest.
involvement is crucial. It is essential that these volunteers While many young people are also part of this vulnerable
receive professional training to enable them to respond population, their participation in crisis management efforts
effectively in times of crisis. The field of social work can strengthen their resilience and foster responsible
integrates scientific knowledge, skills, and practices citizenship. The NSS stands out as an important program
aimed at facilitating positive change among individuals designed to engage the youth, offering substantial
and communities. By equipping NSS volunteers with opportunities for contributing to national development
professional training from qualified social workers, they when it is synchronized with contemporary societal
will be better positioned to assess community needs and needs. To provide effective assistance to those in need,
effectively implement planned programs and activities. the NSS must secure sufficient financial resources, ensure
efficient administrative support, and adopt a proactive
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a significant decline and strategic management framework. In addition,
in community welfare volunteerism as many individuals NSS volunteers and POs should receive comprehensive
were left to navigate their own safety and essential needs, training that emphasizes a systematic approach to crisis
with only a few exceptions. Although social networks management, thereby enhancing their ability to engage
possess the capacity to mitigate these challenges, the in community service at local as well as broader levels. By
overwhelming nature of the pandemic and the severity of harnessing the skills, communication abilities, networking
the health crisis hindered the ability of volunteers to fulfill potential, and leadership qualities of NSS volunteers,
their key roles. The response to COVID-19 necessitated the program can facilitate impactful social change.
the active participation of young people as collaborators A deep understanding of community dynamics, effective
at all levels; however, the lockdown measures affecting resource management, and thorough societal evaluations
educational institutions obstructed the efforts of NSS are essential for navigating challenges and fostering
volunteers, thereby complicating their implementation collaborations among diverse stakeholders. Collaborating
of community service projects. This situation could have with social work departments in educational institutions
been improved had young people been systematically can better empower NSS units to deliver structured and
involved in consultations and decision-making processes sustainable services to communities. As a youth-driven
and engaged in the execution of response strategies. The initiative and a foundation for grassroots support, the NSS
NSS was established to expand the educational experience can influence policy changes and encourage community-
and cultivate a sense of community service among students led development, ultimately enhancing societal welfare.
during their academic journeys. This initiative emerged Through these efforts, the NSS can fulfill its mission and

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 107 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.4717