Sewa International launches new initiatives to promote compassion and volunteering in its Annual Fundraiser
After its hugely successful laser show on the life of Swami Vivekanand in 2013, the Boston Chapter of Sewa International held ‘Dance For Sewa’ event at the Littleton High School in Littleton, MA on November 15, 2014 for its second Annual Fundraiser. Over 250 people attended the event which raised over $10,000 to be used for various initiatives of Sewa International.
Dance for Sewa program was organized to promote volunteerism and create awakening among people to serve those in need. Students from four local leading dance schools; the Noopur Dance Academy, Natyanjali School of Dance, Natyamani School of Dance, and Apsaras Academy of Arts, had worked hard to choreograph a spell binding performance of Odissi and Bharatnatyam captivating the audience for three hours.
The program began with a melodious rendition of bhajans (invocation songs) by Smt. Shalini Pathak accompanied by Shri Barin Bandopdhyay on the dholak (Indian percussion). The emcees for the evening, Mr. Shiva Ramakrishnan and Miss Taejasvi Narayan, welcomed the audience, the chief guests; Dr. Amardeep Sawhney and Mr. Sandeep Shah, dance artists, and the dance Gurus.
Speaking to the audience, Mr Shah praised Sewa International for all its service projects and particularly appreciated Sewa Ambassadors for their support for a great cause. Dr. Amardeep Sawhney, a successful biotech entrepreneur, encouraged all the budding entrepreneurs to think first of what they can do for the society, before being concerned with profits. His message of “…the goal of creating a business will become more meaningful when paired with the drive to positively impact a community..†connected really well with everyone in the audience. Dr. Sawhney commended all Sewa volunteers for what they were doing and noted specifically that more than monetary contributions, their personal time in Sewa initiatives would go a very long way in serving the community effectively.
On this occasion, Mr. Ashwani Garg, Vice President of Administration for Sewa International, launched two new initiatives, Sewa Gullak (Money Bank) & Sewa Ambassador to develop compassion and promote volunteering spirit among people.
Sewa Gullak gives opportunities to kids, young adults and working professionals to give back to the community in an easy way. His vision of “Place a Gullak in every home†stuck with the audience very well. The
Gullak provides a very effective tool for ones bonding with the Community and serves as a constant reminder to lend a helping hand to the underprivileged.
Another program “Sewa Ambassador†was launched to motivate individuals in the community to participate in and promote Sewa projects. “Sewa Ambassadors will not only contribute to the Sewa Gullak personally but will also introduce the concept of the Gullak to their friends and families in their neighborhood communities†said Mr. Ashwani Garg during his presentation.
Sewa International recognized the dance teachers as Sewa Gurus. The teachers not only teach skills of dance but also inculcate Sewa Sanskar (servicing attitude) among the students. All the dancers were recognized as Sewa Ambassadors. Their contribution to Dance for Sewa event was in perfect alignment with Sewa’s core message – Selfless Effort for Welfare of All.
About Sewa
Sewa International is a 501(c)(3) Hindu faith-based nonprofit charity organization. Sewa International in the USA has 38 chapters in 22 states. Sewa is a word in Sanskrit language and translates to service above self - essentially Selfless Efforts for Welfare of All. Sewa International in the USA (started in 2003) is inspired by the international Sewa movement that began in India in 1989. Internationally, the Sewa movement is active in 17 countries.
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