Essays

Man is basically a member of social community. And socialize he must. Not only ought he to take care of himself but he should take care of other's needs too. You can see how happy are folk who have done service in religious places. The pleasure is really uplifting.

Social service can be defined as service rendered by an individual or an institution to improve conditions of society. The service is rendered where the need is most felt—it is on humanitarian grounds with no profit consideration. Only good-natured person can serve others— only those who serve for service sake. In modern times Social service is being introduced at the school and college levels.

Social service is based on the concept of brotherhood of man. It is natural to help out a person in distress. It is a noble urge. It cannot happen without an element of self-sacrifice. One's time and energy are spent—there are no monetary returns. At the present moment, more people are concerned about their own welfare. They have no time for the community, for society.

Article 38 of our Constitution specifies "the state shall strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing and protecting as effectively as it may a social order in which justice—social, economic and political—shall include all the institutions of national life." Earlier, social services were for children, the handicapped, the disabled.

Social service is not confined to isolated deeds and words or charity. Doctors can serve better. Architects can plan houses with vastu shastra in mind so that later on no changes are needed. Engineers can build better bridges. Traders can serve people through their business. Public servants can run offices more efficiently. Politicians can serve with patriotism and integrity. People can be served in a better way. In social service, there has to be strong willpower to serve people for betterment of society.

 Social service for children includes integrated development, to prevent child labour, and care of children of family below the poverty line. Here UNICEF, a United Nations' wing plays a significant role.

The Government too has social welfare boards. But voluntary organizations supplement government's efforts. Of late, social service has gained importance. The country has a population of more than 100 crore. There is illiteracy, ignorance, superstition, poverty, bad customs prevalent—these need to be attended to. Social service is often done part-time by retired people, housewives, and students during their vacations. There is so much scope. Swami Vivekananda has said: "Service of man is service of god."

There is more scope of social service in rural and semi- urban areas—in fields like sanitation, environment. Around 70 per cent of people live in villages—these could look neat and clean as model villages. There is a scheme—national social service—that operates in rural areas.

A true social worker's motto is: service before self. There has to be better standard of living and better per capita income. Better the people—in the civic and social sense—better will be the governance. Social evils as communalism, casteism, untouchability, superstition, dowry, alcoholism have to be shown the door. Social service does serve and can ensure social reforms in society.