Before we go into the origin of Nair Service Society, it would be essential to introduce “Nair Community” to the young generation. There are several interpretations on the definition of “Nairs”. One school of thought is that Nairs were big landlords and they ruled the land. The Nairs were the warriors (“nair pada” which means nair regiment) and they were known for their fighting prowess. In those times, the might of a king was known by the number of Nairs they had in their service. Nairs were considered as the ‘Samurais’ of Kerala.
Confusion still prevails among nair community as to the derivatives or surnames by different people belonging to the nair community. Typical last names- Nair surnames are carried through matrilineality. The surname Nair/Nayar is commonly used by all sub-castes belonging to Nair caste. There is a misconcepetion that those with surname “nair” or “menon” are the real nairs. But this is not so. There are surnames within nairs to differentiate them based on the honours bestowed on them by the royalty in rcognition of their excellence in various fields. We are not going into the details of such honours at this stage. To mention a few, nair includes, ‘pillai’, ‘kurup’, ‘panicker’, ‘menoki’, ‘nayanar’, ‘nedungadi’, ‘achan’, ‘thampi’, ‘eradi’, ‘kaimal’, ‘karanavar’, ‘kartha’, ‘kidavu’, ‘mannadiyar’, ‘unnithan’, ‘valiathan’, ‘adiyodi’, ‘nambiar’, ‘nambiath’ etc.
Though Nairs were considered to be the most aristocratic, populous and influential people of the society, the Nair community was facing a crisis brought about by disunity and blind adherence to outdated customs, beliefs and practices. They had a glorious past .but ignorance, accumulated over centuries, reinforced by inadequate education, proved disastrous for the community. Their predilection for celebrations and penchant for ceremonial occasions fuelled by a strong affinity towards profligacy and extravaganza, contributed to their decline and downfall. Gradual loss of land holdings, underemployment due to lack of modern education completed the process of disintegration.
It was at this juncture that Sri.Mannathu Padmanabhan took the initiative to unite the members of the Nair community and build up a great organization. The Nair Service Society, a synonym for selfless service and social commitment was founded by the late Sri.Mannathu Padmanabhan and 13 other members on 31 – 10 – 1914 with a view to bring together people of nair community and strengthen the common bonds of culture, tradition and way of life. He inspired them and gave them a dream, a dream of liberation from poverty, misery and ignorance. In his own unique way, with his persistence, tireless efforts, vision and farsightedness, the N.S.S opened an array of educational institutions, hospitals and other socially beneficial institutions all over the state.
Birth Of Nair Service Society, Delhi
Strictly following the ideals and vision of Shri Mannathu Padmanabhan, the ‘Nair Service Society Delhi’ was formed in 1984. Starting with two Area Units (Karayogams), the multifaceted activities of N S S Delhi are now spread over the entire N C T of Delhi consisting of 24 Karayogams. To strengthen its activities in Delhi, the Mannam International Centre (M I C) at Dwarka, New Delhi was established in 2012 and the Centre was inaugurated by Shri Pranab Mukharjee, the then President of India on 20th November, 2012 in the presence of great personalities.
Nair Service Society Delhi is an independent society (not affiliated to Nair Service Society, Kerala) which provides the members of the Community residing in Delhi and NCR a forum for exchange of thoughts on social, cultural, economic and educational problems and to inculcate a feeling of fraternity, inter dependence, mutual trust and confidence amongst the members of the community.
Aims & Objectives
“To provide a platform and create opprtunities for the young generation of our community to enhance their personal skills, experiences, confidence, self presentation, team work, collaboration, time management, organizational skills, self awareness, self discipline etc. and enable them to move beyond boundaries and experiment with different ideas, ability to cope with criticism and ultimately to make them ready to work for the society and humanity as a whole.”
The aims and objectives of the Society are to promote the cultural, education and social well being of the members of the Society residing within the NCTD. In particular, the aims and the objectives of the Society are:-
- Provide the members of the Community a forum for exchange of thoughts on social, cultural, economic and educational problems of the society both on national level and with particular reference to Kerala and for this purpose to associate with the Nair Service Society in Kerala and elsewhere. However, this Society will be an independent organization, registered in Delhi under the Societies Registration Act of 1860, as applicable to the NCR and shall seek affiliation or join hands with similar organizations for the promotion of its objectives as the General Body of the Society may deem fit.
- To inculcate a feeling of fraternity, inter dependence, mutual trust and confidence amongst the members of the community.
- In the event of any unforeseen and indeliberate ill luck befallen on any of the members, to earnestly sympathise with them and to render all possible and necessary help and service both physically and materially.
- To mediate and to settle amicably any dispute amongst the members of the community, if necessary through free legal counselling
- To provide a platform and create opprtunities for the young generation of our community to enhance their personal skills, experiences, confidence, self presentation, team work, collaboration, time management, organizational skills, self awareness, self discipline etc. and enable them to move beyond boundaries and experiment with different ideas, ability to cope with criticism and ultimately to make them ready to work for the society and humanity as a whole.
- To train, encourage and help the members or any other persons(s) selected by the Society for the work of the society.
- To establish and maintain in suitable localities, schools, vocational institutes, orphanages, hostels, hospitals, ashrams etc
- To establish libraries and reading rooms;
- To remove differences prevailing amongst the members of the Nair Community and to establish uniform social customs and usages and to combat social evils like dowry, extravagant expenditure on social functions and ceremonies.
- To work for upliftment of the socially and economically backward sections of the community.
- To acquire property, both movable and immovable, and to raise funds and utilize them for promoting the objects and interest of the Society.
- To raise funds, take loans/grants from Government or other institutions, national and international, for the purpose of promoting the interests of the Society.
- To convene meetings, seminars, symposia, conventions and to organize cultural programs for promoting social and spiritual understanding.
- To take membership of other organizations/societies, help, aid and participate through representatives in functions of such organizations/societies, which may foster and promote the interest of the society anywhere in India and abroad
- To participate in the efforts of other communities for the betterment of their lot and maintain and foster communal harmony and to promote the welfare of Hindu Society as a whole and the cause of national integration.
- To function and render services to the community on a non-profit basis.
- To do everything lawful for the achievement of the above aims and objectives.
- To improve, administer, add to, exchange, mortgage, sell or otherwise dispose of the properties of the Society in full or in part.
- To aid and promote or to assume the management of and to take over the rights of other institutions/associations which are being run with an object conducive to the betterment of the Society.
MISSION
To provide the members of the Nair Community residing in Delhi & NCR a forum for exchange of thoughts on social, cultural, economic and educational problems of the society both on national level and with particular reference to Kerala and for this purpose to associate with the Nair Service Society in Kerala and elsewhere
VISION
The ultimate vision of NSS, Delhi is to educate the younger generation of the community about the importance of the Nair community and the role played by our great leaders like Mannathu Padmanabhan and Chattambi Swami Thiruvadigal in the upliftment of the poor, downtrodden and untouchables at a time when they were treated as slaves and not even allowed to worship in temples. Towards achieving this objective, NSS Delhi also aims to establish and maintain schools, vocational institutes, orphanages, hostels, hospitals, ashrams, libraries , reading rooms etc. All the activities of NSS Delhi will be undertaken without causing any disrespect, harm or discrimination to any other caste, creed or religion as envisaged by our great founder Bharatha Kesari Mannathu Padmanabhan.
Oath
നായർ സമുദായത്തിന്റെ പുരോഗതിക്കായി ഞാൻ നിരന്തരം ചിന്തിക്കുകയും പരിശ്രമിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യും. എന്നാൽ ആ ശ്രമങ്ങളിൽ,
മറ്റ് സമുദായങ്ങളെ പ്രകോപിപ്പിക്കാൻ ഞാൻ ഒന്നും ചെയ്യില്ല. ഈ ഉദാത്തമായ ചിന്ത മനസ്സിൽ സൂക്ഷിച്ചുകൊണ്ട് ഞാൻ സത്യം ചെയ്യുന്നു
ആത്യന്തിക ലക്ഷ്യം നേടാനുള്ള എന്റെ യാത്രയിൽ ഞാൻ അതീവ ശ്രദ്ധയോടെയും ജാഗ്രതയോടെയും ജീവിക്കും.
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