Advisor to governor P K H Tharakan on Monday called upon National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers to take the lead in fighting evils like poverty, illiteracy and corruption.

He was speaking after presenting NSS State awards for 2005-06 and 2006-07 here on Monday. The function was organised by the Department of Sports and Youth Services.

The scheme created an army of dedicated volunteers who have been serving selflessly. The scheme exposed students to the world outside the purview of education and enriched their personality, he said.

Assistant Programme advisor of NSS Bangalore regional office Dr H S Suresh stated that there were 29 lakh NSS volunteers in the country of which 2.28 lakh hailed from Karnataka.

The volunteers should be deployed for creative tasks; Awards would recognise their services and encourage them to contribute more, he added. The awards were distributed to 12 colleges, 12 volunteers and 12 NSS programme officers. Kuvempu University bagged the Best University for 2006, while the Mangalore University for 2007.

Secretary of Department of Youth Services Shivaram and State coordinator, NSS Cell, Dr Akkamahadevi Nadagouda and Kuvempu University and Mangalore University vice-chancellors Prof B S Sheregar and Prof Kaverappa respectively were present on the occasion.