Growing up in Pune, Shrikant Kelkar learnt the essence of selfless service from his parents. Inspired by India’s ancient ‘yajna’ concept, his parents taught him that sacrifice is the vehicle to true fulfillment. Three Sanskrit words “Idam na mama” which translate to “this is not mine”, reminds Shrikant to stay humble while serving.

In a long conversation with Sewa National Newsletter’s editorial team, Shrikanth recalled his childhood inspirations, his idea of giving, and how he is motivated to serve others. He also shared his ideas about involving the Gen Z -- he calls “Spotify Generation” – in service. Please read on…

Sewa International: Namaste, Shrikant ji. We are honored to have you here today. Your daily giving reflects your kindness and generosity. For many of us, life revolves around earning money and paying bills. But you choose to share with many people every day. We'd love to know: What inspired you to start donating daily?

Shrikant Kelkar (SK): I thank all Sewa volunteers. Donations matter, but physically helping people on the ground is even more important. I want to share my view on daily giving, not just monthly or yearly contributions. Everyone has their own meaningful way of giving. Since childhood, my parents taught me that giving is Karma Yajna and that even if we cannot volunteer, we can still give back because society supports us in countless ways.

They also taught us to say Idam Na mama—“this is not mine”—when donating, to stay humble. Life gets busy, and some days we cannot volunteer, but we can still give in quiet moments. Donating a portion of our earnings with this mindset keeps us connected to society, helps those in need, and brings peace of mind through a sense of purpose.

Sewa: Earlier, you mentioned the influence of your parents. Was there a turning point in your life that shaped your outlook? Also, could you tell us a bit about your hometown and upbringing?

SK: Absolutely. I grew up in Pune, Bharat, in a society shaped by strong cultural values and many organizations working for social good. Being part of such work was never a conscious choice—it was simply our way of life. Volunteering, whether delivering messages, providing food, or donating clothes, was woven into school activities and daily routines.

After graduating, I moved to the United States, became friends with HSS members in Sunnyvale, and joined their weekend activities, from feeding the homeless to leadership development for kids. Over time, as my children grew and I moved cities, my direct involvement reduced, but I am now making efforts to reconnect through Sewa and other service initiatives.

Sewa: It is still exciting when we hear that you donate daily. Many people donate occasionally, but your approach of donating every day raises the question: What would you say to those who feel that a small daily donation doesn't make much difference?

SK: I currently work as a product manager in Silicon Valley. During the pandemic, I had time to reflect on donation practices and began envisioning a product designed for donations, recognizing that giving involves the cause, the organization, and the donor. I believe organizations can plan larger projects when they receive a steady flow of donations. Daily giving is like adding a drop to a bucket—small individually but powerful collectively.

Traditional auto-pay methods are convenient, but they make giving feel distant and weaken the emotional connection. For me, maintaining a personal, intentional, daily connection is essential because giving is not just a transaction; it is a commitment to the community. Daily giving keeps that purpose alive, provides a sense of fulfillment, and serves as a meaningful habit even in a busy life. I also hope my children adopt this practice, as small daily contributions from many people can shape a better society.

Sewa: Your idea of making daily donations seamless and engaging, especially for the younger, digital-savvy generation, is inspiring. How do you envision integrating this into their daily routines, and what key features, do you think, would motivate consistent engagement and giving?

SK: For donors, even small daily amounts add up—both in value and in the impact an organization can create. Daily engagement with a platform like Sewa also builds a more personal, continuous connection. Today’s younger “Spotify or YouTube generation” needs communication that fits their style. They are compassionate, but in affluent societies they do not always see challenges directly; they hear about them through news or social media. A daily giving app that surfaces real issues and shows clear impact, while removing all friction, could capture their attention.

My idea was to build an app integrated with the platforms they already use, combining elements of good vibes and mental well-being so donating becomes part of their routine. Although the app isn’t built yet, I plan to collaborate with Sandeep Khadkekar from Sewa to create it. I want to be the first user—donating daily to experience the kind of user journey I hope others will value.

Sewa: That is wonderful. It means, at the end of the day, you'll go to sleep with a sense of contentment, and when you wake up, it will be with gratitude because you have a purpose every day. After moving to the US, have you noticed any differences in charitable giving between India and the US? Has living in the US changed your perspective on generosity in any way?

SK: Definitely. When I lived in India, I carried certain perceptions, but moving to the US 24 years ago changed them. Back then, the US was not always viewed as a strong ally of India, and there were misconceptions about American society where I grew up. Over time, those views disappeared, and I now see American society as a natural ally to Indian society.

I have found Americans to be generous, compassionate, and committed to global well-being, and their core values often align with Indian culture. Though the two countries differ in income levels and economic conditions, their fundamental beliefs are similar—prioritizing peace, education, and human advancement. Political debates like capitalism vs. socialism exist, but overall the world is becoming more peaceful. America plays a major role in global progress, just as India has and continues to do, and I deeply appreciate the shared values between both societies.

Sewa: You are a role model to many of us. Who is your role model, and how has your daily giving inspired others? 

SK: My parents always believed in giving back. Growing up in Pune in the 1940s, they were deeply connected to society and lived by the principle of Idam Na mama—giving without expecting anything in return and without claiming ownership. That mindset shaped me, and I believe that if the next generation adopts it, we can build a more compassionate society.

I may not know my broader impact, but I clearly see it at home. My children have quietly embraced these values: my daughter volunteered with Sewa during the pandemic, and my son hopes to join in the future. Seeing this spark grow is one of the most meaningful outcomes of living by these principles. We are all supported by society in countless ways, and it is our duty to give back, regardless of our different homes, lifestyles, or work—because we remain part of one community.

Sewa: True. After donating, do you track how your contributions make a difference in people's lives, or do you trust that every donation helps?

SK: Absolutely. I donate to organizations I trust, often because I know the volunteers or friends involved. Those personal connections shape my confidence in them. I also support larger organizations like the Red Cross, which does important international work, though large entities sometimes struggle to reach the last mile.

Sewa, being smaller, can often reach the person in need more easily, though both types of organizations play vital roles. I believe in supporting both, depending on the situation. For example, during the recent LA fires, Sewa may have contributed, but other organizations were leading the response, so donating to those at the forefront made the most sense.

Sewa: Have you ever questioned yourself about continuing the habit of giving every day? What motivates you to keep it going?

SK: As I said, my vision is for the next generation to stay engaged, mentally prepared, and to develop a giving mindset. Daily giving also keeps me personally connected to society; it acts like a daily reminder—just as we set alarms, I ask myself, Did you donate today? It reinforces that giving is a commitment, not something I do only when I find time.

At the same time, I am not critical of other approaches. Whether someone gives daily, monthly, or yearly, every contribution matters. For me, this daily habit brings peace of mind, which is why I choose it.

Sewa: What made you choose Sewa International for your donation? How would you like to help Sewa grow? Do you have any suggestions for Sewa’s future initiatives?

SK: Absolutely. I first learned about Sewa through friends in Sunnyvale HSS and was always aware of its disaster-response work. What impressed me most was Sewa’s commitment to serving humanity beyond religion or region—whether in Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, or elsewhere, they were consistently at the forefront, much like HSS and other service organizations.

For Sewa’s future, I’ve shared with Sandeep Khadkekar that we must focus on engaging the next generation. My generation that moved here decades ago will step aside, and younger people must be encouraged not only to donate but also to volunteer and build values early. To do that, we must reach them through new, youth-friendly approaches. Today’s “Spotify” and “YouTube music” generation responds differently, but they do want to give back. If we communicate in their language and use the platforms they already use, we can involve them meaningfully and strengthen society’s future.

Sewa: A few rapid questions: How can organizations like Sewa engage today’s youth?
SK: We must speak their language—use social media, mobile apps, and AI tools to make giving and volunteering fast-paced and engaging.

Sewa: How can non-profits adapt to youth preferences?
SK: By developing apps for small daily donations and using AI to personalize the experience, removing friction and making participation easier.

Sewa: What role will AI play in the future of giving?
SK: AI will help identify needs, optimize resources, and reach the last mile more effectively, transforming how giving and volunteering happen.

Sewa: How can Sewa modernize youth engagement?
SK: Move beyond traditional methods, explore new platforms, and embrace AI to inspire and guide youth toward meaningful contributions.

Sewa: How can Sewa regain momentum post-COVID?
SK: Revamp social media, optimize the website, and create engaging content, use email marketing, influencer partnerships, and online ads— focusing on storytelling and impact.

Sewa: Has daily giving changed you?
SK: I see it as a daily practice, like yoga or pranayama. It’s part of life, hard to measure its impact, but I trust it positively influences me.

Sewa: Your daily philanthropy is inspiring.
SK: Thank you, but the real credit goes to Sewa volunteers. Physical help is far more impactful than donations. Their sweat, effort, and dedication in serving society surpass anything I do.

Sewa: Your actions embody giving and make a real impact. Thank you.
SK: Thank you.