SEWA Day, now in it’s 7th year, is a much anticipated fixture in the community diary. This year SEWA Day will be on 16 October 2017 across the UK. Last week the Trustees of SEWA Day celebrated inspiring projects at the SEWA Pioneers Awards held in central London. Schools and community groups from across the UK were acknowledged for the unique projects they organised last year.
Manoj Ladwa, a founder of SEWA Day and Trustee in welcoming guests, said “Charities often ask for money. Money is of course important. But on one day every year SEWA Day, we ask for something much more precious. We ask for your time. Your time to bring a little joy to someone in hardship or pain, to lend a helping hand to a local environmental project, to go out and campaign for a cause you believe in such as organ donation, or support a local food bank.” Manoj unveiled the new theme of SEWA Day as ‘Everyday is SEWA Day’ encouraging people to make SEWA a part of their daily routine and consciousness.
With over 100,000 volunteers over the past 6 years doing projects such as planting 20,000 trees, collecting over 200 tonnes of food for local food banks to painting local nursing homes the impact of SEWA Day has been felt in communities around the globe. In the UK alone, last year there were over 150 projects that people organised and participated in.
The chair of this year’s judging panel, Seema Malhotra MP, said “I could not feel but moved and inspired going through the many acts of SEWA in the community. I congratulate SEWA Day and its brilliant leadership. You are truly making a real difference. I very much look forward to supporting SEWA Day this year, and in the years to come.” The other judges were Shucita Sonalika, director of the Confederation of Indian Industry, and Bharat Vadukul Chairman of SEWA International.
In explaining the spiritual underpinnings of SEWA, Gauri das of ISKCON recalled his younger days when he was initiated as a sadhu, and how SEWA was a form of love and devotion. In presenting one of the community awards, CB Patel publisher of Asian Voice/Gujarat Samachar in complimenting the trustees of SEWA Day, said “ SEWA Day in itself was a service to the community” and he urged community organisations to join in observing SEWA Day on 16 October.
The exhilarating event was hosted by Councillor Reena Ranger, the chair of Women Empowered, an organisation which has participated in SEWA Day every year.
The winners included, Barham Primary School, NHSF Manchester, Veda London, Driffield School, Westlodge Primary, NHSF Exeter, NHSF Hertfordshire, and Young Lohana Society. National Hindu Students Forum and Young Lohana Society have been so inspired by SEWA Day, that in adopting the ‘Everyday is Sewa Day’ theme they have announced that this year they will be participating in a SEWA Week of community service activities.
Awards were presented by leading lights from the community including, Sanjay Kara, the youngest trustees of BAPS, Yujur Shah President, National Hindu Students Forum, Prinal Nathwani, Chair, City Hindus Network, Usha Sahni of Avanti School Trust, Anand Vyas, Trustee of SEWA Day, and Srinivas Gotru, Director of the Nehru Centre.
SEWA Day is run by a dynamic team of young volunteers led by Kartik Dave, Harshini Patel, Krishan Ladva, Surbhi Joshi, Maya Patel, and Avnee Vyas.
There are many innovative projects that community groups can organise or participate. You can visit www.sewaday.org to find out more and learn about inspiring projects your community group may wish to initiate or participate it. Alternatively email the SEWA Day team [email protected]
