Chose service over PhD: NSS volunteer honoured by President Murmu

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 classroomFirdoos 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.