For many young people, pursuing a PhD, building a career and securing a future can become the biggest priorities in life. For Mohd Firdoos, however, education was never only about his own future. Alongside his academic journey, he spent years working with communities, helping children and spreading awareness about issues that affect everyday life. His journey eventually took him to Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu honoured him with the MY Bharat-National Service Scheme (NSS) Award for 2022-23 in October 2025. Firdoos was among just 30 NSS volunteers from across India to receive the national honour that year.
A student who chose to serve beyond the classroom
Firdoos is associated with the Faculty of Horticulture at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K). His professional and academic journey has developed alongside a long association with the National Service Scheme. According to his professional profile, Firdoos began his NSS volunteering in 2017. He also participated in the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi in 2019 and took part in an international exposure programme in South Korea. For him, volunteering was not limited to occasional events. His work extended into rural communities and focused on education, health, the environment and public awareness.
Helping children access education
One of the important parts of Firdoos’s work has been his efforts to support children in rural areas. Reports about his national award say he offered free coaching and distributed stationery to rural children, helping make educational resources more accessible to students in remote communities. His work also included health-related initiatives. According to a report published around the time of his award, Firdoos participated in several blood donation camps and made personal donations. He was also involved in health camps aimed at underserved rural communities.
From planting trees to spreading awareness
His contribution did not stop with education and health. Firdoos has also worked on environmental initiatives. A report on his NSS journey said he had planted more than 2,450 saplings as part of his environmental efforts. He also participated in awareness campaigns covering digital literacy, gender sensitisation and environmental issues. He was also involved in creating awareness about government programmes, including schemes such as PM Jan Dhan Yojana and PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, as well as initiatives promoting a cashless economy. These efforts show a wider understanding of social service. Sometimes helping a community does not mean providing financial support. It can also mean helping people understand opportunities, access information or learn skills that can make everyday life easier.
A national honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Years of volunteering eventually brought Firdoos national recognition. On October 6, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu presented the MY Bharat-NSS Awards for 2022-23 at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awards recognise outstanding contributions to voluntary community service. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports confirmed that 30 NSS volunteers were honoured in the volunteer category, including Mohd Firdoos from Jammu and Kashmir. For Firdoos, the recognition was not simply a personal achievement. It also brought attention to the kind of work young volunteers can do when they step outside their classrooms and engage directly with their communities.
His story is about more than an award
What makes Firdoos’s journey interesting is the way he has combined education with service. His academic ambitions did not stop him from spending time helping others. Instead, his education became another tool through which he could contribute to society. That may be the most meaningful lesson from his journey. Education is not only about degrees, examinations or career opportunities. It can also give young people the knowledge, confidence and skills to understand problems around them and find ways to help. Mohd Firdoos began volunteering as a young student in 2017. Years later, his work took him to the country’s highest ceremonial institutions, where he was recognised for serving communities across different areas. His story is therefore not simply about winning a national award. It is about what can happen when a young person decides that learning should not end with personal success but should also be used to make a difference in the lives of others.
