Houston, TX (August 5, 2024): Sewa International held its Fourth National Youth Convention on July 27 featuring a four-hour video conference with twelve sessions. The event saw participation from over 750 Leadership, Education, and Development (LEAD) students across 29 US chapters, garnering more than 1,500 Facebook views. LEAD, Sewa's youth engagement program for 9th to 12th graders, fosters leadership and organizational skills through community service, with participants completing at least 100 hours of service annually.
New Jersey core team member Pradeep Byram (first from left)
and guest speaker Anil Bansal (far right) with Sewa LEAD volunteers
at the Fourth National Youth Convention
The convention began with an inaugural speech by Anil Bansal, founder of Indus American Bank and a notable community leader. Bansal emphasized the importance of community service, setting the tone for the event. In the second session, keynote speaker Ami Ganatra, an accomplished author and business strategist, addressed the interconnectedness of humans and the environment, urging mindfulness in lifestyle choices and environmental conservation. She reminded them that protecting the environment is ultimately self-beneficial, as nature will always find a way to correct itself.
Keynote speaker Ami Ganatra addressed the participants at the
Fourth National Youth Convention
During the third session, nine-panel discussions focused on climate change and sustainability. Sandesh Shinde, a sustainability advocate, IT professional, and founder of Green Cell in Atlanta focused his talk on how cultural roots drive sustainable development. Attendees were encouraged to take simple actions like reducing electricity use and supporting eco-friendly initiatives. A social media campaign was proposed to promote sustainable habits.
Anchors Arushi (top left) and Ananya (top right) participated in a
session on climate change and sustainability led by Sandesh Shinde (below)
The fourth and final session showcased the 9/11 Sewa Day of Service Project, marking Sewa’s twentieth anniversary. This initiative, in collaboration with AmeriCorps and 9/11 organizations, involved over 3,100 volunteers, 2,200 trained individuals, and 7,600 service hours across 75 cities. The project focused on environmental initiatives and community engagement, with more than one hundred events. The session concluded with a resolution on "Environmental Protection – Everyone’s Responsibility," which was supported by 98 percent of the 500 LEAD delegates.
Advocate and author Suhag Shukla spoke about incorporating
dharma into our daily lives
Chief Guest, Suhag Shukla, co-founder and executive director of the Hindu American Foundation, reflected on the significant contributions of 1,500 volunteers who dedicated over 150,000 hours of sewa (selfless service). Shukla highlighted the positive impacts on volunteers, including fulfillment, physical and mental health benefits, and spiritual growth. She encouraged the continued practice of sewa beyond initial commitments, integrating it into daily life as part of one's dharma (duty). She introduced the DPS (Dharma, Punya, Sukham – duty, beneficence, happiness) framework, guiding participants to navigate life's challenges and pursue happiness while serving others.
About Sewa International
Sewa International (www.sewausa.org) is a 501 (c) (3) Hindu faith-based charitable nonprofit that works in the areas of disaster recovery, education, and development. Sewa has 43 Chapters across the USA and serves regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin.
