Write up by : Ashwani Garg, volunteer at Sewa International and a coordinator for the Boston Chapter
Part 1 – About the Organization
Q. What is Sewa International?
A. Sewa International is a community service
organization. It is a nonprofit charitable organization registered under US IRS
Code 501 (c) (3). All donations to Sewa international are tax deductible in the
US. Sewa International was incorporated in 2003 and got its nonprofit status
from the IRS in 2004.
Q. What are the goals of Sewa
International? What does it want to achieve?
Sewa International is a
humanitarian organization. We have broadly three goals:
a. Promote volunteerism among people and increase the civic
engagement in developmental needs of the community. Sewa is a platform
which motivates, and provides opportunities, specially for youth to take active
part in community development despite time constraints.
b. Aid
local communities by performing local service projects.
c. Support
disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts worldwide. Also development projects
worldwide.
Q. What are the guiding principles of
Sewa International?
We are inspired by the life and
works of Swami Vivekananda. Our volunteers perform community service in a
selfless manner without expecting any rewards or recognition. We believe every
living being has the same divinity inside, and we serve them with an attitude
that we are serving the divine. Swami Vivekananda explained this as Nar Sewa,
Narayan Sewa. Since we believe that the same divinity resides in all beings, we
consider the whole world as an extended family. We serve all irrespective of
their race, color, gender, religion, or national origin.
Q. What are the domestic programs of
Sewa International in Boston area?
A. At present we have two main projects going on. We
work with the Bhutanese refugees in greater Boston area and help them in
resettlement in USA. We call it BRE program. We provide them coaching for
skills development, organized events for them and help them in integration with
the mainstream community. Other project we have is “Feed the Hungry”. We go to
soup kitchens like the one in Lawrence and cook meals for hungry and homeless.
Next year we will be expanding into other areas.
Q: What kind of
disaster relief work does Sewa International support?
A. Sewa International supports disaster relief efforts in
two ways – If we have Sewa volunteers at the location of the disaster then they
directly work with the local authorities and participate in the relief efforts.
We invariably always raise funds whenever there is any major disaster in the
world and make them available to a credible organization directly serving the
disaster hit areas. In case of recent flood disaster in Uttarakhand Sewa
International partnered with UDAPSS and together we had several thousand
volunteers working on the ground. In case of Tsunami in Japan in 2011 we
partnered with Ram Krishna Mission who was serving there directly. In case of
Haiti earthquake in 2010 Sewa International sent a team of doctors from USA to
serve the victims.
Q. What is your overhead?
A. Most of the work is done by volunteers therefore our
overheads are very nominal, less than 5% including all administrative and bank
fees.
Q. Does Sewa International serve only a
particular religious group?
A. Sewa International serves all. Sewa International does
not discriminate based on race, color, gender, religion, or national origin.
Q. Does Sewa International work with
other organizations?
A. Yes. Sewa USA is open to working with any organization
that furthers its mission.
Part 2 – About
the show
Q. What is this
Laser show about and why are you doing it?
A. This laser show is an hour long documentary on life
and works of swami Vivekananda. This year is the 150th birth
anniversary of the swami Vivekananda. We want to celebrate this occasion by
taking his message of Nar Sewa Narayan Sewa to masses. We are therefore doing
that in an innovative and fun filled manner via a Laser Show which I am sure
will attract a lot of people. As I said before, Swami Vivekananda is a role
model for our volunteers and we believe that his message is more relevant today
than it ever was.
Q: What is
special about this laser show?
A. It is a unique
Laser show in many ways. It is prepared by world famous Laser Manick Sorcar,
who has won several international awards. He is son of famous magician PC
Sorcar. Manick Ji will himself come and host the show. It is an indoor show and
there will be five live dancers who will enact in front of the laser show.
It is the
longest laser show ever made on a human being.
The content of
the show is absolutely miraculous. You will see the main events from the life
story of Swami Vivekananda and how he introduced Indian and its philosophies to
America in 1893. How a simple monk from an unknown country became a celebrity
overnight and became a center of attraction for the most intellectual and
biggest industrialists of that time. You will see how his message of Nar sewa
Narayan Sewa is relevant in today’s world.
Q: Has this
show been hosted before anywhere?
A. Yes, Manick Ji
hosted this show in Rama Krishna Mission in Bellur Math, and the New Delhi
ashram last year. Swami Jis in both ashrams appreciated the show very much. In
US this show has bveen hosted in Denver, Houston, and LA in last 4 weeks by
Sewa International. Sewa International has plans to host it in 17 cities in US
this year.
Q: What is the
date and time of this event
A. The event is on
Sunday October 6th in Collins Center of Andover High School. Program
will start at 3 PM with a poster and books exhibition on Swami Vivekananda. It
will be very educational specially for children and youth. After seeing the
exhibition we will invite everyone to participate in a quiz on Swami Ji.
The show will
start at 4 PM in the auditorium.
For the
convenience of our guests, we have made arrangements for delicious food and
Kulfi which will be served by restaurant.
Q: Seems like a
fun and inspiring event I would not like to miss. How can one buy the ticket
for the event?
A. The tickets are
available on line. You can bo to boston.sewausa.org and buy the ticket on line
using your paypal or credit card. Tickets are $25, $50 and $75.
Part 3 –
Conclusion
Q. I am inspired. How can I become a
volunteer?
A. Contact any
Sewa volunteer and we will be happy to have you join the sewa team.
Q. How can I contact Sewa International
?
A. You can contact us by the following means:
·
Call 508-635-1610
·
Visit our Web site www.sewausa.org/boston
·
To buy the ticket on line boston.sewausa.org
Q: Would you like to say anything
to our viewers
I request every viewer to please come and watch
the Laser Show on Swami Vivekananda on October 6th in Andover High
School. Get inspired and find out how you can make a positive impact on the
community you live in.
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