Prime Ministers Message

David Cameron the British Prime Minister has shown his support for National Sewa Day,
In an emotive and inspiring letter to us, He explains why National Sewa Day falls bang in line with his idea of Big Society.
Click on the image below to read his letter of support:

National Sewa Day: 100 Times the Power of Good

"Kartik (Damodar) is the best, the purest of purifiers, and most glorious of all months. Kartik month is particularly dear to Lord Sri Krishna. This month is full of bhakta vatsalya. Any vrata, even the smallest, will yield huge results. The effect of performing a Kartik Vrata lasts for one hundred lifetimes, Kartik or the festival of offering lamps to Lord Krishna, glorifies Lord Krishna’s pastime of being bound with ropes by Mother Yashoda." (ISKCON)

I attended the NSD Food for Life prep session on Saturday at the Krishna Temple in Watford. The folks at the Temple have kindly offered the use of their kitchen facilities on National Sewa Day to prepare food for the homeless. NSD volunteers will be working alongside Temple cooks during the day and will then join the team at the Watford New Hope Trust to distribute the food.

HG Bhuta Bhavana Dasa, from the Temple, highlighted that NSD 2010 actually falls on the last day of the Hindu calendar month of Kartik - the holiest of months (Diwali falls in this month). It is said in the scriptures that any activity on this day will have 100 times the normal impact!!

Prashant added that donating time as opposed to money has a more direct impact. Often, one doesn't know where or how donated money is used..not so when donating time. So true.

Thanks to Prashant Joshi (Ernst & Young), ISKCON and all the volunteers for supporting NSD. Thanks also to Mike Smith et al at the New Hope Trust for inspiring us with all the great work they do for the homeless in Watford.


Arup Ganguly
Chairman - National Sewa Day

The House of Commons on National Sewa Day

On Wednesday a motion was tabled in the House of Commons, saying:
“That this House congratulates all participants involved in organising the first National Sewa Day on 21 November 2010 as a cross-community, multi-faith initiative for social action to tackle hardship and conserve the environment; and pays tribute to Britain's Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain communities for leading by the power of their example in a practical way to benefit their fellow citizens.”

The motion has gained widespread support from MP's across all the main parties and momentum for National Sewa Day is now really growing.

Make sure you are a part of it on November 21st.

The NSD team

Giving Never Tasted So Sweet

“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know, the only ones among you who will be truly happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.” (Albert Schweitzer)

That is why National Sewa day is so important. Not only does it bring back into consciousness the importance of making a difference to other people’s lives – but also how giving adds joy to yours. After all it has been said the fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose.

Integrating with the wider community has always been at the core of my values, so doing a project with other communities and social groups is so exciting. That’s precisely why I’m backing National Sewa Day (NSD). NSD, together with events organised by its interfaith partners, will provide the mechanism by which members of the community can donate time to help those who are less fortunate. Given the economic cycle that we’re in, there is an even greater need for local communities to come together (regardless of faith or creed) to take responsibility for overcoming current challenges. It’s also important, for the sake of longer term welfare issues, that different social groups engage with each other – NOW!

This brings me on to a project I am currently involved in. A local charity, Christ Church, Brighton Road, Purley, is making an appeal for funds for a new community centre (to be known as Community Transformations Project). One of the aims of the project is to attract disenfranchised youth to the centre – to give these young people an alternative to hanging around on the streets. In order to get the message out and to encourage people to participate in the project, the convenor was looking for volunteers to host coffee mornings. I thought this aligned itself seamlessly with the objectives of National Sewa Day. So I am hosting a coffee morning on November 20th at my home – and would love people to come if they would like to meet others and learn more about the centre.

Pinky Lilani (Member – NSD Advisory Board)

Pinky Lilani is a women’s champion, motivational speaker, philanthropist and Indian cookery diva! Pinky is the Founder/ Chair of “Asian Women of Achievement Awards” and is also a Founder of the “Women of the Future Awards 2010” to be held tonight, November 9, at the London Marriott.

Diwali – What’s It All About Then?

Diwali. We Hindus call it the Festival of Light. According to legend, it commemorates the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya (with his wife Sita, brother Laxman and Hanuman-ji in tow) after 14 years of exile having just defeated the evil Lord Ravana. It is believed that the people of Ayodhya welcomed the homecoming prince with showers of lit arrows in the sky – hence the festival of light.

On a more philosophical note, my good friend and sage (he even has the white hair to prove it!), Rupin Vadera of the Chinmaya Mission, has enlightened me as to the true meaning of Diwali as follows: “In short, Lord Ram represents the pure intellect, Sita-ma the pure mind, Laxman detachment and Hanumanji the pure thought.

After killing the ten headed demon (signifying the 5 senses and 5 organs of action) i.e. a human who has mastered his senses, Lord Ram makes his way back to Ayodhya. The intellect and mind are united, with detachment by his side, and are served by the pure thought.

Such a person will find his path lit by the light of knowledge. The arrival of Lord Ram at the gates of Ayodhya (land of peace) is marked and celebrated by the festival Diwali.”

Diwali signifies different things to different communities across the world. For the business community it marks the beginning of a New (financial) Year and prayers are offered to Shree Ganesh and Goddess Laxmi. The Jain community believes Lord Mahavira, the Founder of Jainism, attained Nirvana (Salvation) on this day. Sikhs celebrate Diwali to express joy at the return of their sixth Guru, Guru Hargovind, to Amritsar in 1620, along with 52 Hindu Kings, who were imprisoned by the Mugal Emperor, Jahangir.

My first proper experience of Diwali was when I first moved to Delhi as a teenager. Diwali was not celebrated in the UK as it is nowadays. Wow I was blown away! Firstly, Diwali night is the climax of a festival season that goes on for a month and more encompassing Navaratri, Dussehra, Ram Leela celebrations. It's a fabulous time of year to be in India.

Secondly, until my first Diwali in India, fireworks to me meant Guy Fawkes night. Let me tell you,bonfire night UK style did not prepare me at all for the explosive experience that is Diwali in India. A true extravaganza.

It is also tradition on Diwali to exchange gifts with loved ones and friends.

So What is the Spirit of Diwali?

Nowadays of course, Diwali in the UK is a big event. Parades, parties in Trafalgar Square and this year even the House of Commons held a Diwali party (with both Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband in attendance).

Fireworks, pressies and partying aside though, once you step back you realize what Diwali is about. Like all Indian festivals it’s about family and community. Diwali is one of the biggest days in the Indian calendar for families and communities to get together – to forget their every day endeavours and pressures to spend time with each other – to re-energize relationships and strengthen bonds. To start a new year refreshed and re-invigorated. To show they care for each other.

..and it is this Spirit of Diwali that can be used to rebuild the feeling of community that one feels is so very much missing in the world today. Everytime I open the newspaper or switch on the TV I seem to read of acts of unimaginable maliciousness and violence between humans. Conflict seems to be everywhere. It seems pretty clear to me that society is suffering from a severe disconnect. Little wonder. We spend most of our everyday lives talking into mobile phones or staring at LCD screens. We no longer have time for our fellow humans, preferring the company of machines (and anyone who’s watched the Terminator movies knows where that could lead!).

We have to ask ourselves, what kind of world do we want to live in? What can we do to make it a better place for us and our children? Will we become the victims of our own complacence and apathy?

Join us on 21 November 2010 to start making a difference.

All the folks from National Sewa Day would like to wish all our supporters and sponsors a very merry Diwali and wishing you every success in the New Year.

Arup Ganguly

Chairman – National Sewa Day

Why Tony Blair supports National Sewa Day

Tony Blair is one of the our supporters, he recently recorded a video to tell us why he supports National Sewa Day.

See what he said about National Sewa Day here:



We have lots of other supporters who have recorded their thoughts about National Sewa Day, find out more on our youtube channel

To Aid or Not to Aid. That is the Question…..

Well, Osborne has finally laid out his stall. Question Time has come and gone. The debate about the fairness of it all has been raging for a week and no doubt will keep dominating headlines and pub conversations for some time to come. The fact: As a nation we’ve been living beyond our means for way too long and now the chickens have come home to roost. You can argue the toss about the speed and degree of austerity measures versus taxation but ultimately, as a nation, we have to tighten our belts one way or another – all of us.

Now, amongst all of this angst, a side argument has kicked off. The beef is with overseas aid (which has been ring fenced against cuts). Should we, a nation with its own financial problems and growth rate of less than 1% be dishing out cash to “developing” nations with far greater growth rates (in some cases, a la India, as much as 9%). Our tabloids would argue no....I would argue emphatically YES.

India, as an example, is the Dept. For International Development’s (DFID) largest bilateral programme. DFID has provided approximately £1 billion to India in bilateral aid over the period 2002-2007. In the last year for which full figures were available, 2007/8, it was £312 million (Telegraph). Should the British taxpayer give to a nation which can afford its own nuclear weapons? Should we donate to a country that has started its own overseas aid program? Still YES.

We should focus on Wealth NOT Growth. We are still relatively rich although it may not feel that way at the moment. IMF and World Bank figures for 2009 show GDP per capita for the UK of around US$35,000. The comparable number for India is around US$1,000! The UK is still in the top 20 of wealthiest nations.

DFID’s aide program has helped reduce the number of Indian children out of school (and increase the number of girls attending), expand the microfinance industry, provide water and sanitation services to many poor communities and lift millions out of poverty through rural works programs. These rapidly growing nations are still coming to grips with their social welfare obligations. Our work is not done yet.

The issues we should focus on are 1) how to assess poverty levels; 2) how to allocate aid between different recipient countries; 3) how to ensure aid is being routed correctly and efficiently at the local level. The question of whether to give aid or not shouldn’t arise. It’s for the beneficiary countries to refuse our aid, not for us to withdraw our helping hand.

…..and there’s a business/political agenda here too (as always). We would do well to keep these countries on side – to maintain ties with the future growth engine and stop the rhetoric.
Yes there is hardship here in the UK – and it’s likely to get worse before it gets better. It still doesn’t get anywhere near the levels of suffering and depravation that exists in parts of the developing world. It’s our responsibility as members of a civilised world society to help those who are less fortunate than us….and who knows what the future holds. Some day we may need a helping hand too.

Big Society is a global concept… …see you on INTERNATIONAL SEWA DAY – 21 November 2011 : )

Arup Ganguly
Chairman – National Sewa Day

National Sewa Day: The Power of Youth

“So long as little children are allowed to suffer, there is no true love in this world.” - Isadora Duncan

I believe that National Sewa Day is a wonderful opportunity for us to realise and showcase the divinity that is manifested in each and every one of us.

It has always been important to me that my children are well grounded and that they have a healthy perspective on life. I have tried to instill an appreciation in them that there are millions of less privileged people (including many children) all around the world. I tell them that “we are the lucky ones”. Many of our fellow citizens are in dire need of our love and support. As members of the human race, it is our prime responsibility to answer their call.

The youth of today encompass a more rooted, eco-friendly culture compared to previous generations. Our generation and that of our parents and grandparents faced different challenges to those of today. Previous generations (in the UK certainly) were faced with a world war and the subsequent re-building process. Hence, their focus became generating economic wealth. The problems the current youth and future generations face are in relation to protecting and preserving the very existence of our planet. It is crucial that we keep striving to improve the quality of our environment - for our children’s sake. This is why I simply could not recommend getting involved in NSD enough. NSD is a fabulous opportunity for us, together with our youth, to take further steps towards making our world a better place. To be frank, without getting our youth involved, initiatives like NSD have very little chance of making long term impact. It’s great to see organizations like the National Hindu Students Forum supporting NSD.

Most of us are so caught up in our daily grind that despite all good attention and noble will, we simply do not designate sufficient time to do a little sewa. So here is our chance. Let us get together as a community, in this moment, and serve from our hearts. Let’s experience the wonder of selfless service together, right here in Britain! But most importantly, let's do it together!

So on 21st November, why not come plant a tree with me in Heartwood forest or join our team at Fryent Conservation Park. This is our time. Together, we can make a change.

Sangita Kanoria (Member – NSD Advisory Board)

Sangita Kanoria is owner/director of Aermid Healthcare, a leading provider of care services to a wide range of individuals in the UK including older people, people with enduring mental health problems, learning and physical disabilities. Sangita is also an active member of The Rajasthan Foundation.

The Politics of Volunteering and the Colour of My Skin

In an age of austerity, politicians in the US and in Britain are highlighting the importance of volunteering. Whether it is Obama or Cameron – both have emphasised the critical importance of volunteer work. This week I was asked to speak at the Golders Green Mandir on why I am volunteering for National Sewa Day on 21st November. This is the essence of what I said with some additions:

“The colour of my skin. The colour of my skin. This skin which when I was young and foolish, how I wished it was any other colour. Any other colour, preferably a very pale colour as I was kicked at school, mocked and bullied because of the colour of my skin. The colour of my skin which told people I worshiped an elephant god in my faith.

As I grew older I realised my greatest asset was the colour of my skin. This skin which is a walking advertisement that I belong to the oldest of all civilisations and religions. The civilisation without which the world would not have mathematics and therefore science or the West its languages. This skin which is a brand, a brand which means whatever I do or say I am a brand ambassador for that civilisation.

So why am I volunteering? Because my actions and my skin will advertise this is what we do, this is who we are. Without bragging, without showing off, this skin silently speaks that we get involved. Whether it is cleaning streets, making care parcels for the troops in Afghanistan, planting trees – this is what we do, this is who we are.

You see it has been estimated Britain, which only in the last 10 years finished paying its loans borrowed to fight the second world war, spent in today’s money over 10 trillion dollars to fight tyranny, sacrificed an Empire, all for principle, all because a small Eastern European country was invaded at a time when invasions were commonplace in 1939. So when someone mocks Britain as being a spent power, you remind them of the sacrifices of this island nation, and that this is our home, where people of my colour of skin are welcome and people of the colour of my skin in return volunteer to make it a better country – because paying taxes and being law-abiding is not sufficient discharge of our debts. That is why I am volunteering.
Another reason: because I must prove to myself the blood running through these veins under the colour of this skin, is the blood betrothed by good fortune to me by my ancestors of India. That it is the same blood in some small part as the blood of Gandhiji and the Sardar. Bloodlines should be put to the test – voluntarily not just in times of emergency.

You see volunteering is national service. It is often said that the greatest generation is the generation which fought in the second world war – the generation of my grandparents. Those who sacrificed their lives to rid the world of tyranny. And they did it in the national service. We god willing will never be called upon to show such greatness, but in times of peace, our proof that we are worthy of being the descendants of the greatest generation is if we too volunteer in the national service.

Because if we don’t do this, how do we look our children’s children in the eye when in years to come they will turn to us, as we tell them to get off the sofa and make a difference, and ask us, ‘well what did you do then?’ We have to be worthy of our grandparents, worthy of our grandchildren. That is why I am volunteering and believe in the politics of volunteering. Join me and the thousands on November 21st – because this is what we do, this is who we are.

Alpesh Patel (Member – NSD Advisory Board)

This article appeared in the Asian Voice last week. Alpesh Patel is one of the UK's best known financial commentators and authors. As well as writing 9 bestselling books on trading, he is a regular columnist for the Financial Times newspaper. He appears regularly on CNN, Sky Business News, CNBC and BBC radio and television. Alpesh is a Principal at Praefinium Partners and is also an 'International Dealmaker' for the UK Government's Global Entrepreneur Programme.

National Sewa Day – Supporting Our Heroes on the Front Line…..

340 dead…..300 killed as a result of hostile action…..40 dead as a result of illness, accidents, non-combat injuries….

These are the number of British forces personnel or MOD civilians who have perished since commencement of Operation Herrick in Afghanistan in October 2001. In Addition, for the period January 2006 through to last month, September 2010:

• 1,485 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to UK Field Hospitals and categorised as Wounded in Action.
• 2,817 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to UK Field Hospitals for disease or non-battle injuries.
• 218 UK personnel were categorised as Very Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.
• 220 UK personnel were categorised as Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.
• 3,863 aeromedical evacuations have taken place for UK military and civilian personnel injured or ill in Afghanistan.

(source: MOD)

These stats (for want of a better word) make hard reading. These figures are made worse by the fact that those killed thus far are so young (average age 27 years, the 300th death was reached in June 2010 with the sad demise of 23 year old Royal Marine, Paul Warren).

We’re very lucky in the UK. As civilians, we have the choice to debate and question our presence in Afghanistan. We have the ability to lambast our leaders and politicians regarding their motives for throwing our troops in behind the US lead effort in 2001…but our armed personnel don’t have this choice. It’s not in their job remit. Everyday, our boys and girls put their lives on the line, without question, to protect our way of life. Protect our freedom. Protect our right to question.

Our debt to these fine people is immeasurable and our gratitude should be without bounds.
As we hurtle towards Christmas, many families here will be without their loved ones (fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, sons, daughters) because they are either serving our country across the many trouble spots of the world or because they have made the ultimate sacrifice. So, on 21 November 2010, Shree Kutch Leva Patel Community (SKLPC), Northolt, will be creating gift parcels to be sent to wounded personnel in Afghanistan, as part of National Sewa Day (NSD). The parcels will contain presents and messages from children. Hopefully, we can bring a little joy into the harsh reality of the soldiers’ daily lives and, importantly, let them know they are not forgotten.

We need as much help as we can get for this worthy cause – we need 500 volunteers at the very least.

Please contact Anand Vyas or Nrupesh Jhalla at NSD (email: info@nationalsewaday.org) or Panna Vekaria at SKLPC (email: PannaV@vascroft.com) ASAP to get involved or register for this project today via our website

Saluting all our heroes and wishing them a safe return home.

Arup Ganguly
Chairman, National Sewa Day.

David Cameron’s Big Society is Coming…..More Volunteers Needed…NOW!!

By the end of this week, before the end of the Conservative Party conference, we will hopefully know how David Cameron plans to run his Big Society. This much we know – in the short term, many council funded community projects will have their budgets slashed or completely pulled. In addition, given that the Big Society Bank is still a year away, this means many projects will not be able to fund their staffing costs in the near term. Volunteers will need to step in to meet the shortfall. Yes, I know we all pay taxes and the government should take care of it but here’s the reality – there’s no money left in the kitty. …and actually, it’s not enough to say that paying taxes excuses us from our duty. We are all responsible for our communities and our environment.

That’s why 21 November – National Sewa Day – is so important. The Indian diaspora accounts for over 5% of the UK population. The magnitude of the impact we can have here, as a community, is huge. It’s time for us to fight for our country.

Why is NSD a Game Changer? This year, we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. I’m probably telling you what you already know but our small island fended off an enemy attack, despite being outnumbered to the tune of 4:1. We managed to win the battle of the day because we stood together as a nation, as a society, as a community – every man, woman and child. The profile of UK society has changed immeasurably in the last 70 years. Since the end of WWII, there have been numerous waves of immigrants from the Indian sub-continent – Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis (and more Indians via Africa in the 70’s). These immigrant communities have contributed both to the economic and cultural wealth of this nation. Immigrant communities also contribute a great deal of their time, quietly or otherwise, to tackling social problems in the UK.

However, I can't remember any single initiative to bring all these individual communities together all at once like NSD. That's why we have billed 21 November 2010 as the most significant and important community building and social welfare event for at least a generation, if not two.

We are part of a special group. A group of people who have decided to take responsibility for the way our communities interact, the way our society is being shaped. I feel privileged to be part of this group. Indeed I am humbled by the generosity I have seen from supporters of NSD.

Given the changes that are afoot and the nature of our times, it’s time for us to do our National Service. As John F. Kennedy famously said, in his inaugural Presidential address: “And so, my fellow Americans - ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country!”

Arup Ganguly
Chairman – National Sewa Day

48 Days to go….Wake Up the Nation!!

4 Oct 2010: “Wake Up the Nation” came the rallying cry as yesterday’s National Sewa Day networking event kicked off. I thought the title of Paul Weller’s recent album very apt for the occasion. With 48 days to go, we need to rev up the NSD engine and ensure that participating communities are in the process of finalising their projects and signing up their members.
Yesterday’s event was held at the Swaminarayan Temple in Golders Green with an audience of around 100 community/project leaders. The aim of the session was to enable folks to a) meet each other and share ideas; b) hear from members of our high-powered advisory board.
Proceedings kicked off with a peace-lamp lighting ceremony. Mahesh Varsani (from the temple), Dixit Joshi (NSD Advisory Board), Dhirubhai Shah (from Sewa UK) and I were asked to step up to the stage and each light a candle (about the same time as the Commonwealth Games light was being lit in Delhi, as it happens!). After some opening remarks by me, we invited three of our Advisors to say a few words.
Here’s a few choice extracts from their speeches:

Alpesh Patel (Principal, Praefinium Partners), first up, said: “We have to remember that we are walking advertisements for a civilisation that is over 5,000 years old. Indian culture, more than any other, has a heritage of giving to the community and working together for the betterment of society”…..”We are going through hard times. Relying on the government to run everything isn’t an option anymore. It’s time for you and I to take responsibility for our community and the environment.”

Dixit Joshi (soon to be Head of Equities EMEA, Deutsche Bank and President of the NSD Advisory Board) followed Alpesh and made the following observations: “It’s not that such calls to action have never been made before. It’s just that NSD is the first such attempt to target the Asian community specifically.”….”for those folks who lead busy professional lives and find it hard to find time for volunteering, NSD provides a once a year golden opportunity to give back to the community”

Ramona Mehta (Partner, Miscon de Reya Solicitors) concluded: “NSD year one is crucial. If we fail to make an impact this year…we’re pretty much dead in the water”... “I set a target to each member of the audience here to tell at least 10 people every day, between now and 21 November, about NSD. There’s no reason why we can’t have 30,000 people take part this year!”

We then invited representatives from 5 different organizations to talk about their projects for NSD:
· Baiju Shah, from HSS - Wembley, updated us on their plans to clean up Ealing Road;
· Panna Vekaria and her team from SKLPC will be putting together gift parcels for armed forces serving in Afghanistan;
· Thalbir Shokar from the City Sikhs Network updated us on their projects centering around the homeless and nursing homes;
· Neha Sanghrajka and her team from the Art of Living Foundation will be collecting old teddy bears for re-distribution to needy children;
· Prem Patel and the team from the temple will be joining forces with the local Jewish community on NSD for a number of projects in the Golders Green area.

This was followed by an hour of networking and refreshments.

All registered projects will soon be viewable on www.nationalsewaday.org. If you are a project co-ordinator, please ensure your project information reaches our team to enable us to post it. If you want to volunteer but don’t have a project then please join in with an existing project from the NSD website.

If we can translate the level of excitement at yesterday’s event into footfall on 21 November, there’s no reason we can’t challenge Ramona’s target of 30,000. As a comparison, on Mitzvah Day - the Jewish community equivalent event - 10% of their community participates. If we could replicate the same level of participation, it would equate to over 300,000 people!!...so let’s rock n’roll!

Thanks to all our speakers, attendees and a special thanks to the Swaminarayan temple for staging the event.

Arup Ganguly
Chairman – National Sewa Day

A Game Changer for Indian Society....An Inspiration for Us All.

This time last week, India was pasted across every form of news media. Why? The apparent mess that the country had made in preparing for the Commonwealth Games. India was an international joke. Yet, only days later, India has somehow managed to show the world that when it comes to tolerance, reconciliation and fairness, no other nation shines brighter. Incredible (and complicated!) India never ceases to amaze me.

As people waited for today's supreme court judgement on the Ayodhya land dispute, we expected at least one side to come out feeling deeply aggrieved. Nationwide riots were anticipated. Two hundred thousand troops were shipped into the metros. Politicians, community leaders and celebrities alike called for calm. Nothing happened. Instead, the judicial system threw Indian society a curve ball. The land has been split in three between the various interested parties (although lines still need to be drawn). Wow! Every so often, India manages to transcend all the corruption, bureaucracy, widespread hardship to remind us that no other culture on earth is older or (at least sometimes) wiser. No other culture does "Big Society" better. Indian culture has been there, done it and worn the t- shirt.

L K Advani heralded today's decision as a new era for Indian social integration. The PM has great faith "in the traditions of secularism, brotherhood and tolerance" of the Indian people. It is envisaged that a mosque and temple will now reside side by side on the site. It is certainly my hope that this is the case and that rather than some grandiose structure, something is built on a more modest scale. A place of worship accessible by all. It is my greater hope that the Indian people, given their ancient heritage of peace and love, accept the verdict and work together to rebuild the site and communal relations.

India is not the country it was in 1992. It has moved on. Today, as the name suggests, Ayodhya is not a place of war but a symbol of unity. Hopefully the coming days and weeks offer nothing to alter my opinion. As we stand 50 days away from the first ever National Sewa Day, let us take note of today's events in India. Let us be inspired. Let us make 21 November 2010 a game changer for UK society.

Arup Ganguly
Chairman - National Sewa Day

I am the Change…slowly but surely….

I was at a professional networking dinner last night and, mid way through the evening, the conversation I was having with my neighbours turned to philanthropy and more specifically volunteering. What I heard was the usual tale of hardworking folk who, despite all good intention and desire, just didn’t have time to get involved in volunteering in a meaningful way. Now, I can relate to all this. Back in the day, when I was employed by a larger organisation, working the “standard” 100 hour, 6 day weeks, it was hard enough finding time to be with my young family let alone volunteer for charity work. As I was working for a large investment bank, raising money for charity was a much easier option and it’s the route I took to satisfy by altruistic needs. Now, I don’t want to sound patronising or self righteous in any way, but I’ve looked back on that period of my life and come to the conclusion that I could have organised my work/life balance much more efficiently. I had bought in to the whole “face-time” culture that is prevalent at many blue chip corporations. Additionally, especially early on in my career, I was very reluctant to say “no” to any project plonked on my desk for fear it may reflect poorly on me. So I ended up with too much work and not enough time. That got better over time, I’m glad to report.

Nowadays, running my own firm, life is very different. I manage a much better work/life balance enabling me to involve myself with projects like National Sewa Day (NSD). Hopefully, as NSD establishes itself over the next few years as a major national event, my role will develop further and I can contribute more time towards ensuring its continued success.

I guess that’s what NSD is trying to promote – a re-prioritisation of time to fit in volunteering. Now, if your career is of paramount importance to you and all this other guff is an unwanted distraction then that’s fine. Each to their own and more power to ya’. However, if your working life leaves you with the feeling that there’s more to life than dollars, cents and corporate cocktails then join us on 21 November 2010 for the first ever NSD.

I’m trying to become the change I want to see in the world…..i’m a work in progress.



Arup Ganguly

Chairman – National Sewa Day

“I’m ready to volunteer anytime except Monday-Friday and can’t do weekends……”

We held the first ever meeting of our advisory board yesterday. Dixit Joshi, who heads the advisory board, opened proceedings with the comment: “I’m really up for volunteering at anytime but can’t do weekdays as I’m working, I’m knackered in the evenings and I’m busy with the kids and family at the weekend.” Even though he delivered his comment with a wry smile, Dixit was making an important point. Despite all good intentions, our generation just doesn’t seem to have enough time in the day to fit in philanthropic pursuits. Most of us find it much easier to just hand over the cash (which is good too, don’t get me wrong) and tick it off our to-do list. Our hope is that National Sewa Day (NSD) will encourage us to, at least, give a little time on 21 November 2010. Certainly, if the buzz we’re witnessing at various launch events and on-line translates into footfall on NSD, then we’re very confident that 21 November 2010 is going to have an irreversible, positive impact on the level of volunteering in the UK.
The NSD advisory board has been set up to, well, advise us! The board is made up of high achievers from various industries, communities and walks of life (banking, retail, accountancy, law, arts, IT). Members include:
• Dixit Joshi (soon to be Head of European Equities, Deutsche Bank);
• Bikash Mathur (European CEO, Polaris Software),
• Girish Sanger (Proprietor, Washington Mayfair Hotel, the Courthouse Kempinski & Bentley Hotels),
• Nina Amin (Partner, KPMG),
• Sir Trevor Chinn (prominent British businessman and philanthropist)
• Laura Marks (Chair, Mitzvah Day),
• Ramona Mehta (Partner, Mishcon de Reya),
• Nandita Chaudhuri (celebrated artist),
• Pinky Lilani (Founder/ Chair, Asian Women of Achievement Awards, motivational speaker and Indian cookery diva!),
• Hitesh Nathwani (CEO, VB & Sons),
• Sangita Kanoria (Director, Aermid Healthcare),
• Alpesh Patel (Principal, Praefinium Partners)
• Rohini Lalvani (Vitabiotics, UK),

Our ability to tap into the board member’s networks and business building know-how will undoubtedly further enhance NSD success. We thank the board members for volunteering their skills and for fitting NSD into their already busy schedules.
Every generation has a moment, an opportunity to take destiny into their own hands. The globe is at an inflexion point. Now’s our time to give time….
Arup Ganguly

Chairman - National Sewa Day

The concept of SEVA or SERVICE in Jain philosophy.

The primary tenet of Jain philosophy is AHIMSA or non-violence. This is used in the widest possible sense of the word and applies in any form to any living being. Mindfulness not to cause hurt to any living beings in thought, speech or deed is therefore the first duty of a Jain. This is a passive expression, and this was not the intention of the Jain elders when they codified the sacred texts (especially in respect of the Jain laity). To take its real meaning, one is expected to behave in such a way as to not cause discomfort and to do what one can to alleviate pain and suffering.

How does one achieve this? The two ways that immediately come to mind are seva and dana. Service to the deserving and charity to the needy.

To quote from TATTVARTHA SUTRA, a 2nd century universal Jain text;
parasparopagraho jivanam : Souls render service to one another. TS V.21

This may be considered analogous to the English saying: “No man is an island”

This famous quote by the English poet John Donne in his work MEDITATION XVII means that all human beings depend on one another. Jainism believes in universal life and extends this saying to all living beings including the elements of nature: earth, water, air, fire and vegetation. Service in Jainism is therefore awareness in terms of not misusing, not wasting, not polluting, not hurting, not killing and not making any being feel uncomfortable.

To make life comfortable in any way is therefore considered to be service or seva. Protection of life has been expressed by Lord Mahavir in his first scripture called Acharanga Sutra aphorism I.4.1.(1)

“ … … … all breathing, existing, living, sentient creatures should not be slain, nor treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented, nor driven away.”

“Compassion through charity for all living beings, ... ... ... ...” quoted from the Tattvartha Sutra VI.13 Clearly suggests that charity is a meritorious deed which delivers the fruit of pleasure and comfort in future life and birth.

One can see from these brief excerpts that in Jainism, compassion and charity is therefore not just a philosophy or a religious tenet, it is a way of life in all things one does every day. It is the way that we serve our fellow men, look after our environment and progress along our spiritual path.

Dr Harshad N Sanghrajka

NSD: A Churchillian Call to Arms…..

“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” While I didn’t always agree with Churchill’s words (especially some of the less than complimentary comments about citizens of the former colonies), this particular quote still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. This year marks 70 years since the brave spitfire pilots of the RAF fended off the German Luftwaffe, despite being outnumbered four to one. 3,000 British airmen saved the country from coming under the control of the Nazis. As I sat down to watch the eleven millionth re-run of that great movie about the events of 1940, Battle of Britain (“BoB”), I couldn’t help think about the relevance of Churchill’s word to us today. Is the BoB spirit still out there? Can National Sewa Day revive it? Drive it even?
Ok, so we’re not at war – not a physical one anyway – but we are going through a global economic conflict. Is it half a percent GDP growth or One percent? Is the recession over or is the double dip coming? Inflation or deflation? Cut public spending or not? The road ahead is filled with uncertainty but be very sure of this, we’ve got to swipe away a lot of branches and shrubbery before we’re out of the woods. Hardship is all around us – from the extremes of the floods in Pakistan (which has set the Pakistani economy back light years) to housing repossessions and growing unemployment in the west. This is a time for society to come together, not grow apart. It’s time for those of us who are more fortunate to step up to the plate for the greater good.
The first ever National Sewa Day (NSD) takes place on 21 November 2010. NSD is the most significant and ambitious cross community volunteering programme in the UK for at least a generation. The plan? To get thousands upon thousands of folks, across the UK, to come out and give one day of their time to help their fellow man (or woman!). So far we have gathered the support of over 100 different community organisations and networks. This is our chance to make a difference. This is our chance to fight for a better, peaceful and more cohesive world.
….let’s make this our “finest hour”.
Arup Ganguly
Chairman National Sewa Day

National Sewa Day, the countdown has begun

There are less than 100 days left until the first ever National Sewa Day takes to the streets. Each day we receive more and more projects that you are organizing for Sewa Day. In fact, we now have 87 Groups from 11 cities around the UK who have committed to organizing a project for Sewa Day. With pledges of 20 to 100 volunteers per project, that’s a lot of people sacrificing their time for others on National Sewa Day.

... Are you ready?

COMMIT

First and foremost, have you committed to organizing a Sewa Project?
If you have, make sure you complete and return the Organisation Details form to me as soon as you can.

PROJECTS

Once you have decided on your project… let us know!
We need the details of the project so we can tell everyone what will be happening on National Sewa Day.

If you are unable to decide on which project to organise, get in touch and we will help to organise the project for you. Its important that you finalise the project by the end of the month.

Here is an example of some ways you can offer your Sewa on Sewa Day:

Tree Planting: We’re planting a forest in Hertfordshire. Even if you don’t have green fingers, you can still help create a legacy.

Party @ Home: Lots of volunteers want to entertain the elderly and housebound. Parties are being organised at Nursing Homes or in venues where the elderly will be transported to for the day. For some, this will be their only party this year. Can you help spread the joy?

Say You Care: Books, computers, gifts, food… lots of parcels are going to be wrapped up on National Sewa Day, destined for those who need them more. Can you bring someone, somewhere, some joy by donating items they need more?


I’ve had the fortune of visiting several organizations to discuss the concept of National Sewa Day. The instant enthusiasm from those present has been incredible. Sewa is a familiar concept to everyone. Its need is vital here, today, more than ever. Make sure you do your bit to motivate others to offer their sewa on National Sewa Day.

Anand Vyas, Executive Committee Member

Concept of Sewa in Hinduism

Concept of Sewa in Hinduism (reproduced from www.nhsf.org.uk)
by M.C. Satyanarayana, former President of HSS (UK)
Sewa or service to the poor and suffering is a principle advocated by all religious faiths. To serve the poor and distressed is enjoined as a duty of human beings whatever be his religious faith. In Hinduism, in particular, our ancient seers have gone in great depth into this principle and have laid down guidelines which are distinctive features of Hindu thought and philosophy. Our Rishis have considered Sewa in all its aspects including questions like - What is sewa? Why Sewa? How sewa is done? To whom is sewa to be done? What is the best kind of sewa? To what extent should a human being do sewa? and so on, some of these questions have been answered by them in a unique way.

What is Sewa?

Sewa is considered a part of human Dharma in Hindu thought. Sewa dharma is a duty. But if one thinks deeply, the concept of sewa is deep and difficult to comprehend in its entirety.

Sewa Dharma Parama Gahano Yoginamapyagamyah

It is said that Sewa is a very deep concept which even sages find it difficult to understand. But for a common man they have put it in simple words by saying Paropakaraya Punyaya, Papaya Parapeedanam ie what ever conduces to the good of others is noble deed and should be followed. By the term Sewa, the common understanding is that it implies an act, word or thought which helps to mitigate the sufferings of others and increases their happiness.

Why Sewa?

The motives that inspire human beings to do an act of sewa have been varied and many. The feeling of compassion, feeling of humanity, and sympathy are usually mentioned as reasons why human beings do sewa, It is also possible that in some cases, the motives for sewa could be a desire for a name or reputation, an expectation of a return, or the advancement of a certain faith. All these motives imply that the server and the served are separate and distinct entities. In Hindu thought, things are looked at in a different way. The cardinal principle is that God is residing in all beings human, animal, bird, plant or inanimate.

Iswarah Sarva Bhutanam Itruddesha Arjuna Tishtati

The same God who is present in me is also present in other human beings. Therefore serving another human being or a being is serving God. Doing sewa is to worship God and to work for one's salvation and ultimate eternal happiness. So sewa is done for one's own happiness and progress. This idea was expressed beautifully by Swami Vivekananda who preached the worship of the poor. It is said that serving man is serving God; Nara Sewa, Narayana Sewa. This concept is the basis for sewa work in Hindu thought. Sewa is done for one's own joy and comfort.

How is sewa done?

Our seers have said that sewa is done in three ways - Tan, Man, Dhana Sewa namely through one's body, through one's mind and through one's wealth. No sewa is complete if it is not done in these three ways. Service through one's body implies physical service, and making all efforts to help a suffering person/being. Service through the mind consists in thinking about the mitigation of sorrow and misery, talking about it to others in order to motivate them to do sewa, expression of the sewa feeling through art, literature, drama and other means. Service through wealth is sharing one's own resources - money and material - with others. At first thought, this concept of service in three ways may appear to be hard and difficult to follow. But we do see examples of this comprehensive sewa in actual life also. If one observes how a mother serves her child, it becomes evident that she devotes a lot of time and physical effort for the comfort and well being of the child. Whatever she may be doing or wherever she may be, her child is always in her thought. All resources available to her - money or material - are also available to the child. Whenever the child speaks, plays or eats she takes a great pleasure in it and sometimes feels that her child is Lord Krishna himself in her home. Serving her child is serving Lord Krishna, God himself.

To whom sewa is to be done?

The scope for sewa in Hindu thought is very wide. It extends to all beings whether human, animal, birds, plants or any other. It extends to the environment and points out the joy in living in harmony with nature and in the attitude of "live and let live", our scriptures contain many examples of this service - service to mother, father, teacher, guests, friends, animals, birds, other human beings md others. There is the wellknown story of King Shib's who was prepared to cut out flesh from his own body and sacrifice himself in order to serve a pigeon from an eagle. All the saints in our long period of history have set example in the service of man. There are also instances of Kings and emperors who parted with all their wealth for others and willingly became poor.

What's the best kind of sewa?

The best kind of sewa is one that is done without the expectation of any reward, return, name or fame, one that does not destroy the self respect and confidence of sentiments of the beneficiary, the one that helps a beneficiary to help himself.

It is said in Bhagvad Gita (chapter 17, verse 20)

Datavyamiti Yaddanam Deeyatenupa KarineDeshe Kale cha Patrecha Taddanam Sattvikam Smarutam

"That gift which is made to one who can make no return, with the feeling that it is one's duty to give,and which is given at the right place and time and to a worthy person, that gift is held sattvik" (best type).

Real charity is that which provides permanent source of honest earning to the poor. Charities of all kinds are good but the best of them is that of imparting divine knowledge. The great law giver Manu says :

Sarvesharmeva Dananam Brahrnadanam Vishishyate

"Imparting of divine knowledge is the best of all charities." For it is through knowledge that man achieves happiness in this world and salvation for himself.

The Gita also says

Adeshakale Yaddamapatrebhyascha Deyate Asatkrutarnavajnatarn Tattarnasamudahrutam

The Gift that is given at a wrong place or time to unworthy persons, without respect or with insult, that is declared to betamasika (the worst type of gift).

No charity with vanity.


To what extent sewa?

The question of the extent to which a person may give his time, efforts and wealth in charity has been a question facing us at all times. Is there a limit to charity? In Hindu thought, all wealth is given by God and a person receiving or collecting it should not

go on accumulating or hoarding it. To hoard more than what a man needs is a sin. The wealth not needed by man should be given to others for use. One can amass wealth with hundreds of hands but distribute the same with thousands of hands.
Shatahasta Samahara, Sahasrahasta Sankira

"Earn with hundreds of hands,and distribute with thousands" (Atharvaveda 3 -24-5)

It is also said, in relation to charity,

"To live is to give. Give as long as you live". Sewa is a thus a continuous life long process.

What's the place of Sewa in Life?

Hindu philosophers have attached a very great importance to sewa selfless and loving service to others. Sewa occupies a high position in one's spiritual life and advancement. One should not only seek to relieve the misery of his fellow-men but also identify himself with them and become a part of them so as to undergo their suffering and share in their misery. "He alone lives who lives for the sake of helping others" Says the Rig Veda: Pareshamupakarurtham Yajjivati sa jivati. This thought is exemplified in the story King Ranti Deva contained in Bhagvata written by Sage Veda Vyasa. It so happened during his reign that his kingdom was gripped once by severe and devastating famine is subjects were hungry and distressed. Moved by their suffering, the king determined that he would share in their misery and decided to fast himself until all the hungry were fed. His fast lasted for forty eight days during which period he took no food and not even water but served his poor subjects. At the end of forty eight days of fasting, he wanted to break his fast by taking a morsel of food and a glass of water. His ministers and councillors were with him at the time of breaking his fast. Just when he was about to drink a glass of water, he heard the potious cry of Pulkasa asking for water to drink desperately. The King immediately ordered that his glass of water be passed on to Pulkasa in spite of the remonstrations of his ministers and his own condition. He then proceeded to eat a morsel of food. Just at that time a guest came at his door asking for food. The King gave all his food to the guest. The people around him pleaded with him not to do so since his life itself was in danger. The reply that the King gave at that time stands out as the altitude of the true sewa karta (server).He said :

"I do not seek from God the Highest bliss attended with eight types of powers (suddhis). Nor do I care for my own salvation or freedom from the cycle of births and deaths. My only desire is to be present in all beings (share their feelings) and undergo suffering with them and serve them so that they may become free from misery, hunger, thirst, fatigue, loss of strength in limbs, distress, grief disappointment, delusion - all these undesirable features of my distressed -soul have all disappeared upon my giving water to one who was suffering from acute thirst ".

God was pleased with this. No need to say that King Ranti Deva was blessed with eternal happiness. He has shown us a noble example of ideal sewa! (Mahatma Gandhi was quite impressed with the sayings of Ranti Deva. He adopted this quotation (original in Sanskrit) for all his sewa work).

“Big Society”? Sorry Mr. Prime Minister…we thought of it first!

There’s been widespread criticism of David Cameron’s “Big Society” plan launched today. Many are seeing it as a “passing of the buck” by the coalition government and merely a slight of hand to distract joe public from the widespread spending cuts about to hit local authorities. While I don’t profess to have a clear understanding of exactly how Mr. Cameron’s new society is to work, I do applaud the spirit of volunteering and community service at the heart of the plan. As a society, for too long, we’ve been happy to let someone else take responsibility. That has to change – we all need to show more care for our local environment, neighbourhood and community if we want to build a better world.

That’s what National Sewa Day (NSD) is all about – COMMUNITY. NSD is the most significant and ambitious cross community volunteering programme in the UK for at least a generation. The plan? To get thousands upon thousands of folks, across the UK, to come out and give one day of their time to help their fellow man (or woman!). When? 21 November 2010. Where? Wherever YOU decide to make a positive impact. So far we have gathered the support of over 100 different community organisations and networks. We would love more organisations and individuals to join us. Check out our website to find out how you can take part: http://www.nationalsewaday.org

Now clearly, one day isn’t going to make a significant difference but we’re hoping that NSD will lead to habit formation – that folks who take part this year will make volunteering a part of their regular routine. We’re also hoping that the thousands of people taking part in this year’s event will send out a very powerful message to the other 60 million people in the UK and encourage them to step forward next year.

The woes of the global credit crisis are beginning to manifest themselves at the local level. You’re going to start seeing its effects around you – especially the on less fortunate. You have a choice – either to stand by and watch or to do something positive about it. If you decide to choose the latter option, come and join us on 21 November 2010. Take part in NSD to make a better world for us and for our children.



Arup Ganguly

Chairman – National Sewa Day

Community involvement

How can we get the maximum number of participants on 21st November 2010?