Service is the best way; serve others and do your Sadhana alongside. Both have to be combined.
-Sri M
Seva, selfless service, encompasses the entire gamut of human life and interactions, uniting recipients and sevaks with empathy and grace, forging bonds of fraternity and solidarity. Launched in April 2020 during the dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic by Sri M to support the immediate needs of migrant workers, the less privileged, and frontline workers, the Satsang Seva Mission (SSM) has touched the lives of over 7.2 million people across 13 states in India. Shelter homes, municipal schools, old age homes, marginalized communities, daily wage workers, and the less privileged are included in an ever-widening ambit of sevas that have grown organically over the past 4 and a half years.
Cementing relationships, sustaining communities
At the heart of this endeavor lies a corps of dedicated volunteers, committing their time and service in accordance with the scope and frequency of the sevas. Weekly annadaanam seva, for instance, has now become an enduring part of the volunteers as they serve the less privileged at the Adamya Chetana premises at Lakshmipura, Bengaluru and the Sai Baba Temple at Matunga East Station Road, Mumbai. Gentle interactions with the recipients, mostly residents of the nearby neighborhood or daily wage workers, have instilled a deep sense of community and gratitude in the volunteers.
As for the volunteers who have committed themselves to the facilitation of holistic programs including yoga, Spoken English, Computers, Value Education, and academic support classes, the sheer joy of learning with their wards is unparalleled. Those working to support the children at Sumati Balwan at Pune, municipal schools at Mumbai, and shelter homes like Vallabh Niketan Ashram and Namma Mane in Bengaluru have expressed great contentment as their engagement with these youngsters has blossomed into a beautiful tapestry of love, trust, and compassion.
Manav Seva: Beyond Barriers
Cutting through barriers both literal and figurative, SSM volunteers have reached out to facilitate regular yoga sessions and skilling programs for prison inmates at the Thane Jail, Arthur Road Jail, and Byculla Women’s Prison at Mumbai. Lantern making and classes on Spoken English, Computers, and Two-wheeler Repair in collaboration with Vatsalya Trust have helped empower the participants, paving the way for gainful employment and reintegration upon their release.
Celebrating the seasons of life together
Festive occasions and seasonal requirements have also presented the SSM volunteers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the joy of giving and sharing. SSM volunteers in Delhi, Hyderabad, Nagpur, and Mumbai have offered warm clothing and blankets to pavement dwellers and children at shelter homes to combat the bitter winter cold while others have offered refreshing buttermilk during the peak of summer at Hyderabad and cool beverages during crowded festivals like Janmashtami at Vrindavan. Back-to-school essentials such as books, stationery, and school supplies have reached several less privileged school children not only in India but also in the city of Bujumbura in Burundi, East Africa.
Seva Utsav and Annadaanam
Besides these regular sevas, every year since 2021, SSM volunteers celebrate Founder’s Day on 6 November with a week-long Seva Utsav and Annadaanam celebration, expressing their heartfelt gratitude to Sri M for having provided the means to further their personal sadhana – spiritual discipline – while extending a helping hand to their brethren in need.
This year, the Seva Utsav and Annadaanam is truly special as it pays homage to Sri M on the completion of 75 years. Teams of volunteers from each TSF centre and kendra in India and overseas are gearing up for a memorable celebration from 2 to 10 November 2024.
To contribute towards our Annadaanam seva, please click here
To join our volunteers, please write to connect@satsang-foundation.org, mentioning your name, city, and contact details so we may connect you to the closest TSF centre or kendra.
