A glimpse of the first 5 months of Year 2025
Walking the fine line between mere charity and overstated altruistic gestures, volunteers of the Satsang Seva Mission (SSM) across the country continue to work relentlessly in the face of daunting challenges, supporting myriad communities with basic amenities and essential services while promoting sustainable practices and community awareness.
Ushering in holistic growth and development for less-privileged students
For 290 students of the Government Rafiquia High School in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh the month of February proved to be a harbinger of better health with the installation of a high-quality UV water filtration unit, providing immediate access to clean and safe drinking water. Envisaging a domino effect with regular attendance of students at school, improved concentration levels, enhanced academic performance, and a sustainable source of refillable water, SSM volunteers also paved the way for robust, community-driven projects.
As for the students of Mithanagar Semi-English Municipal School, Goregaon and Subhedar Ramji Ambedkar Vidyalaya, Dahisar in Mumbai, an eventful academic year replete with engaging value-education sessions, inspiring activities on mindfulness, art sessions, and weekly yoga sessions drew to a close. Nurturing young minds, promoting health, and creating safe spaces for self-expression, this holistic learning paradigm is set to resume in June along with the after-school, skilling sessions in Spoken English and Computers for children sheltered at Mermier Bal Ashram, Vashi in Navi Mumbai.
Supporting essential needs of remote, tribal communities
Trekking into the rugged hinterland of Kerala, the SSM volunteers and the local Tribal Officer reached out to the tribal communities at Chonampara and Vaalipara at Kottoor near the Neyyar Dam and Mulli in Attapadi, Palakkad District.
Laden with nutritious food items such as ragi, palm jaggery, and eggs, the volunteers made their foray into these remote areas, providing vital nourishment for the entire community and particularly for the children. Weekly distribution of these essential supplies has started at Chonampara. Back-to-school essentials such as school bags for 65 children at Vaalipara and notebooks for those at the Government Lower Primary School have ensured that they return to school with a spring in their step, ready to continue their learning journey with dignity, confidence, and sheer joy.
Providing medical outreach services to rural communities
In the inconspicuous corners of Nagpur’s rural hamlets, where daily survival leaves little room for healthcare, SSM volunteers continue to conduct outreach medical camps in collaboration with Swaasthya Hospitals and Shalinitai Meghe Hospital. A total of 824 patients at Rui, Khapri, New Gondegaon, and Amravati have benefitted from free medical check-ups and diagnostic tests while 90 patients have received further treatment at Nagpur.
Enhancing sanitation infrastructure at shelter homes
Sumati Balwan, a non-profit educational institution located in Katraj near Pune, Maharashtra, provides quality education to children from single-parent families and economically challenged families. Associated with this shelter home since 2020, SSM volunteers at Pune had initiated a sanitation project in 2024 with the construction of a sewage treatment plant (STP), ensuring effective waste water management and recycling of grey water. State-of-the-art technology was used to maximise efficiency and minimize the environmental impact. Training sessions on the operation and maintenance of the STP for the staff at the shelter home have helped ensure its long-term functionality. Improved sanitation infrastructure has reduced waterborne diseases, enhanced hygiene, fostered environmental responsibility, and contributed to a better quality of life for the community of 1000 children and staff residing here.
Mitigating the burden of railway porters
Staggering under the weight of heavy suitcases and luggage, railway porters continue to offer their services to passengers at most Indian railway stations. Erratic work hours, lack of rest, and irregular, meagre meals have also contributed to the malaise of these civic workers. Celebrating Labour Day on 1 May 2025, SSM volunteers at Pune crafted a unique outreach program at Pune Railway Station for 50 porters. Platform 1 served as the perfect venue for an engaging session on yoga asanas, pranayama, and meditation for the beleaguered workers, empowering them to benefit from muscle-relaxing postures and calming breathing techniques in the midst of their hectic schedule. Packets of assorted dry fruits were given to each porter, boosting their nutritional needs.
Beating the summer heat with buttermilk seva
Braving the intense summer heat, SSM teams at Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Nagpur, and Warangal have turned a traditional summer drink, the humble buttermilk, into a life-saver for thirsty wayfarers, fruit vendors, daily wage workers, municipal workers, gig workers, care givers of patients, and children bustling about their vacation game sessions in the harsh sun. Made with utmost care by volunteers at their homes, this precious hydrating drink has brought much-needed succor to common citizens.
Here’s how you can contribute
Starting with your own personal vision of selfless service, we encourage you to contribute to the chain of participation, passing the baton to your family members and friends until you encompass and engage the entire community.
Join our SSM teams during the months of June, July, and August with the next wave of sevas:
- Back-to-school supplies: Repurpose old notebooks of your children or grandchildren and share them with children at less-privileged schools.
- Repurposed essential items: Pass on old clothes, bed linen, essential items, and toys to those who have little to no access to the bare necessities of life.
- Monsoon magic: Provide umbrellas to vendors in your neighborhood, protective gear for school children or municipal workers, or footwear for those with none.
To know how you can organize these sevas in your neighborhood or city, please write to us at connect@satsang-foundation.org.
