BANGALORE: The

Indira Gandhi

National Service Scheme (NSS) award has come to Karnataka for the second time:

Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences

(RGUHS) has bagged it for 2011-12 for its NSS programme.

Bangalore University

had won the award a decade ago.

Leaving behind 13 shortlisted universities of the 636 across the country, RGUHS has become the only health university to win it.

The award, consisting of cash prize of Rs 2 lakh, national certificate and a silver medal, will be presented by President

Pranab Mukherjee

on November 19 in New Delhi.

"We started our NSS in 1998, and today have 150 institutions affiliated to it with 15,000 volunteers. We have also adopted 150 schools, benefiting nearly 45,000 children. Through this programme, we encourage students to help in the development of rural areas," said Sriprakash, KS, vice-chancellor, RGUHS.