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