Over the summer, I spent a month alone in Mumbai and whilst I was there I travelled around in many rickshaws. During this time, one particular driver left a lasting impression on me as he revealed to me how he had sold off his farmland and every property he owned in the countryside so he could move to Mumbai. This was all done in order to be able to provide an education for his children, who he wanted to have ‘proper’ jobs that didn’t consist of driving a rickshaw. As he was complaining about school administration his phone rang and his tone sounded very worried. He then made another call and dived into what sounded like a heated argument in Marathi. He later explained the first call was his best friend, whose mother needed to be admitted to hospital and the hospital was asking for money. The second call was him telling his wife to take out the money they had saved for the school fees and give it to his friend – leading to an argument. Here was a man who was struggling to get together the required amount of money for his children’s school fees, but was ready to help out his friend in an instant. When I asked him how he would pay the school fees, he looked at me with a smile and said “As Amitabh Bachchan said in Mohabbatein – Life is about giving and receiving love…and nothing else – let’s hope the school principal understands that”.
He had so little to give, but what mattered was how great his intentions were. It goes to show how much we have to offer, yet don’t offer it to anyone – maybe what we need is the opportunity to take time out of our busy lives and give back. The reason that the rickshaw driver was able to sacrifice something that was dear to him for someone else was because he has that “Bhav” (attitude) to want to make a change. This is a trait that Sewa Week wishes to encompass in all members that take part in it.
Sewa Week took place from 29rd February until 6th March 2016 and consisted of events dedicated to Sewa. The aim of the week was to give a chance to members of National Hindu Students’ Forum (UK) to step back and dedicate an entire week to helping others and giving back to the community. In 2013, the Sewa Team introduced seven “Sewa Themes” to help universities organise different types of activities throughout the week. The themes include:
- Sewa 4 The Environment
Mother Earth has given us so much – yet we often neglect the environment and don’t look after it. By looking after the environment we are able to provide Sewa to all living things and even generations that are about to come. Doing Sewa for the environment can be very simple as proven by members that took part in activities such as: tree planting, litter picking and conserving energy by turning off lights when we don’t need them.
- Sewa 4 The Animals
Milan Kundera, an author most known for his book, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, states “Mankind’s true moral test, its fundamental test (which lies deeply buried from view), consists of its attitude towards those who are at its mercy: animals.” We should treat animals with the same compassion as we treat humans, as Hinduism teaches us that God resides in every living being. Members of NHSF Loughborough spent a day walking dogs from a dog shelter in an attempt to serve animals. Talking to some of the members that had the opportunity to conduct Sewa for the animals, they said that it was a great Sewa initiative that allowed them to spend time with “cuddly, cute and amazing” puppies.
- Sewa 4 The Community
We live in a community surrounded by people and community Sewa is a way to give back to those that are around us at all times and make their lives that bit better. During Sewa Week this year, chapters partook in activities such as: a homeless drive, serving in soup kitchens and visiting elderly homes.
- Sewa 4 The Soul
If we ourselves aren’t fit and healthy, how can we think about helping others? Sometimes the first step towards helping someone is helping yourself. This could mean mentally or physically. Members completed Sewa for the soul by partaking in activities such as: Yoga and charity sports tournaments.
- Sewa 4 Humans
“If you wait until you can do everything for everybody, instead of something for somebody, you’ll end up doing nothing for nobody”. This is something that we should try and remember at all times, and we should try to help anyone at whatever opportunity we get. The premise of Sewa is to give back to people and help without expecting anything in return. This doesn’t just have to be helping those in need, but can include helping a friend with university work, cooking them dinner or doing their dishes.
- Sewa 4 Fundraising
Providing money for charities allows them to carry out their day-to-day work, or it could help them buy medical equipment, which could then help save a life. Taking time out to help raise money for such good causes, or actually donating the money is Sewa as well. This Sewa week chapters fundraised in a variety of ways such as: bake sales, movie nights and auctions.
- Sewa 4 Awareness
Raising awareness allows members to be educated about the issues surrounding us and once they are educated they can make informed decisions about how to go about making a difference. Awareness raising covers a huge range of activities including helping people to understand, learn or do something new.
Sewa Week has continually been an initiative that leaves members inspired. It provides an opportunity for members throughout the UK to connect with each other and actually discover the power of Sewa. A smile has the power to make someone’s day better, so just imagine what a random act of kindness can do for them. We hope that Sewa Week has been a week that has shown this power to members, and will encourage them to conduct Sewa on a regular basis. Mother Teresa once said, “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving”, so let’s start giving with all the power of love that we hold within us.
– Anmol Sharma
Sewa Team, NHSF (UK)
