“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
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