Seva Initiatives Over the years
Volunteer for Better India
Volunteer for a better India, Mumbai (VBI) was a movement, where the citizens of Mumbai came together in service for the city. Mumbai volunteers conducted clean-up and awareness activities at 12 railway stations of Mumbai as a pre-launch initiative of VBI. It was launched on 23rd February, 2013.
200 volunteers from various backgrounds like Doctors from Tata Hospital, BARC Scientists, students from Somaiya College of Engineering and students from many other colleges came together and cleaned up 3 main railway stations of Mumbai, which are the heart of the city; Andheri, Goregaon and Ghatkopar. The initiative made people realise that cleanliness is each one’s responsibility. It was inspiring to see how young volunteers sincerely engaged in the service, this spirit set yet another example with their achievement!
Save Aarey
There were 450 volunteers to clean Aarey Colony at Goregaon on a Sunday morning, marking the beginning of Aarey Conservation Project and creating a history. It was a hopeful and a promising moment to see the young and old working together amicably for a common cause. Dry garbage of 5 metric tonnes was removed from Aarey forest in just 1.5 hours!
It took place on April 14th 2019. The main objective of the project was to make Aarey a plastic free zone. The project included educating the residents about nature and to create a sense of belonging among Mumbaikars for Aarey, along with sensitizing visitors and motorists about the rich bounty that the forest stores.
Vote For Better India
This initiative aimed to remove the apathy that has been seeped into our social fabric and make individuals realize the importance of their votes. More than ten thousand Volunteers contributed in the 'I Vote for a Better India' campaign,making it a huge success. The campaign reached out to more than 3 million people with its message- 'to strengthen Indian democracy by participating in the election process actively.’
People were found not to be voting, either because they believed that their vote will make no difference or because of the complications of the registration process. We aimed to remove such obstacles and myths and thereby improve the democratic fabric of our country. CSO-2014 Award has been given to Volunteer for Better India by the Election Commission of India on National Voters Day for election & voter awareness campaign.
Rural Trip to a Kapsi and Phaltan
This trip was a unique initiative to bridge the gap between 'BHARAT' and 'INDIA', for our urban youth to interact and learn more about the rural youth. What I call, a handshake between the right and left hands of India.21 young enthusiasts went to Kapsi and Phaltan and connected with the real Maharashtra.
We spent two days with farmers, youth leaders and villagers and spent time playing lots of games, listening to music and having authentic food. We learnt about farming and visited a Chavani-Cow Shed, which was a temporary construction to protect the cows during drought. It was very wholesome to see farmers nurture and take care of the animals during the times of crises. More people should connect with the rural India and learn about a different side of the country.
River Rejuvenation Program
This initiative was taken in 2016. From being almost a desert, Manjira River came to life within 3 months of the river rejuvenation program. 25-30 feet of water stands in Manjira River now and they say a lot more has also percolated in the ground, recharging the dried-up wells.
There were several reasons for drought and it had caused problems to many. However, the program has helped in raising the water table and 15 km of the rejuvenated river is now a source of life to more than 5 lakh villagers. Along with humans, birds, animals and plants are also rejoicing the rebirth of Manjira River. The beauty of the river has been revived.
Mind Your Vehicle
It was Mumbai traffic safety week from 6th May to 12th May in 2013. The week was full of action with 2000 volunteers and Traffic Policemen working hand in hand, creating awareness about traffic rules in Mumbai. 7,000 citizens pledged to drive responsibly, which showcases the number of people impacted by the drive.
The drive comprised of education and awareness of traffic rules including street plays on the same theme, manning of traffic signals at more than 40 traffic signals across Mumbai, awarding certificate of recognition to traffic policemen by visiting their homes and so much more. ‘Mind your Vehicle’ is an example of coming together of common man and government in making Mumbai city safer. The drive was to initiate a hope to collectively march towards the change we want to see.
Cultural Events
Being a meditator for over 25 years, I vouch for well-being and optimism. With my belief in yoga and meditation and with my indomitable spirit, I have organised various meditation and cultural events to spread happiness and positivity amongst thousands of people.
Dance, Music and Yoga are like meditation for the soul. Many events have been organised for people, like ‘The Goregaon Art and Cultural Festival’ which included a drawing competition as well. People seem to be thoroughly enjoying such events. They are purely organised to extend hope and joy to as many people as possible.
Blood Donation Camp
We conducted a blood donation drive from 14th June 2013 to 23rd June 2013. We helped in conducting 13 drives and targeted 700-1000 units. During the week, 501 Mumbaikars participated in the camp from across 6 locations and over 362 units of blood was collected. Most of it was donated by people in south Bombay on the very first day.
Every 2 seconds in India, someone needs blood and we were working at our maximum capacity to even help other people organise their own blood donation drives. The camps were well-arranged and very efficient, people got a chance to do something very kind for their fellow citizens.
Aarey Flyover Cleanup
The facelift of Aarey Flyover was given a kick-start on October 2, 2018 by Shashwat Jhunjhunwala, a 13-year-old boy in collaboration with others. He led a clean-up under the flyover and it was a very satisfying feeling to see him grow into a responsible citizen.
There used to be a lot of mess under the flyover but with the help of cooperating and understanding traffic cops, the project was accelerating. Around 3 tonnes of trash was cleared in four hours. The project hoped to beautify the 700-metre stretch of the traffic chowky below the flyover. It was organised to stop people from littering, to remove abandoned vehicles and debris, to level the ground and the project had many more such objectives.
Women Safety Drive
A women safety drive was organised in 2012 for a just, prosperous and peaceful India. A rally was carried out in Azad Maidan on 20th December 2012 to ‘Wake up and Take Action’ in order to stand up for women’s safety.
Maharashtra is featured third among the states on crime against women, according to National Crime Records. It was a much needed initiative to wake up the citizens and to have them take responsibility of taking actions whenever required. Only rules and laws are not enough to create a change, it is important to speak about it and create awareness.
I am Honest
The "I am Honest" Campaign was launched alongside the "India against Corruption Movement" in 2011 by our team of Art of living teachers and Volunteers. It aimed at creating awareness about why corruption exists. The campaign also acknowledged and rewarded the honest deeds in the society to promote the concept of honesty even more.
“If you’re honest to yourself, you will get enormous strength.” – Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The ‘I am Honest’ campaign inspired youth to use honest means to achieve their goals as honesty empowers us and helps us lead an authentic life.