As the summer heat sears through the land, quiet ripples of soothing comfort are reaching our rural and urban communities.
From the bustling construction hubs of Gurugram to the remote tribal hamlets of Shahapur, the Satsang Seva Mission (SSM) teams have continued to commit to selfless service, undaunted by the weather and on-ground challenges.
Summer Special Buttermilk Seva
Quenching thirst, ensuring hydration for our communities
Hyderabad
Hygenically-prepared, homemade buttermilk continued to be a source of respite for municipal workers, fruit vendors, daily wage workers, gig workers, autorickshaw drivers, and thirsty passersby constantly on the move and exposed to the heat for long hours.
Consecutive drives were held from 19 to 13 May to serve cool buttermilk across different locations in Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
Bhopal
The Labour Chouraha at Bhopal was chosen on 3 May to support daily wage workers laboring in the morning heat. Reinforcing the importance of community care and collective responsibility, the seva helped prevent dehydration and fatigue.
Mumbai
In Mumbai, buttermilk and bananas were offered to help restore energy and flagging spirits.
Annadaanam Seva
Assuaging hunger, assuring food security and inclusion across our cities
Newly-launched seva
Gurugram
Labour Chowk in Sector 43 is a constant buzz of construction workers and daily wage workers waiting to be picked up for their daily assignment in the stifling heat. A bi-weekly annadaanam seva was launched on 25 April at this crowded intersection, offering a filling, mid-morning meal of hot puris and potato curry to the hungry workers before they headed out to their work locations. When the numbers exceeded 700 and the puris ran out, the service continued. Fresh bread was provided to ensure the remaining potato curry reached every waiting hand. On 9 May, the seva was offered to over 800 workers with care and compassion.
The meals at Gurugram were served in biodegradable plates and preceded by a community drive for the collection and sanitization of plastic bottles which were reused to offer fresh drinking water to the recipients. Many of them were happy to receive these bottles, promising to refill them and keep them for their use during their grueling shifts.
During a thorough plogging drive following the seva, the waste was collected, removed, and disposed of responsibly.
On-going sevas
Madhu Ki Rasoi, Mathura
In the midst of a severe gas cylinder shortage across the country, when even commercial supplies have dwindled for the past two months, continuing the daily annadaanam seva is an enduring commitment.
Rallying together with the Madhu Ki Rasoi team, the local community has stepped forward with open hearts, offering their own gas cylinders so that no meal is missed. Daily operations have continued without interruption with this incredible source of solidarity keeping the flame of kindness alive.
Mumbai
The consistent daily lunch at Byculla continues to draw the hungry to a tiny space in a busy bylane for a nutritious meal served with reverence and care while the Guruvaar Annadaanam Seva at Lokhandwala and Nalasopara ensure a filling refreshment of vada pav and tea to weary workers at tea time every Thursday. The Saturday breakfast at the Sai Mandir, Chunabhatti is yet another established seva providing a much-needed filip to young children, students, and daily wage earners on a regular work day.
Bengaluru
More than just a meal, the Sunday breakfast seva at Vallabh Niketan Ashram is the culmination of a week of steady nutrition ensured by way of monthly dry rations for the youngsters and senior citizens sheltered at this home. Preceded by an invigorating session of yoga for the youngsters, the breakfast is a crucial part of a larger holistic program. Social inclusion and solidarity unite the local community together every Sunday afternoon in Lakshmipura with a full-fledged lunch accompanied by buttermilk to beat the summer heat.
Nagpur
The monthly provision of dry rations and essential supplies was offered to the differently-abled young women residing in Shrikrishna Shantiniketan Women’s Shelter. Clothes were also offered, in April, contributing significantly to their sense of belonging and comfort.
Community Outreach
Building health, supporting dreams of our rural communities
The Satsang Seva Mission’s vision reaches far beyond the next meal, empowering our rural communities with access to quality healthcare and education at their doorsteps.
Thane, Mumbai
In the roadless, hilly terrain of Shahapur in Thane district, Maharashtra, poverty has long been a barrier to education. Long treks and a dilapidated classroom didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the children. On 16 April, the first bricks were laid for two permanent, weather-proof classrooms. No longer will the children of Dapurmal have to study in hazardous conditions. Hope is just a short walk to their new learning space.
Nagpur
Meanwhile, in Mandhal village, near Nagpur, the medical outreach camp in collaboration with Shalinitai Meghe Hospital was held under heatwave conditions, with the local temperature soaring to 44°C. Over 170 consultations helped address the immediate medical needs of the community. To ensure continuity of care, transportation was arranged the following day for 56 patients referred for further treatment and specialized interventions at the hospital.
A call for more caring hands
The work is far from over. In Gurugram alone, the team has committed to 24 sessions over the next year. Our daily and weekly annadaanam commitments are sustained through the year.
Whether you help us sustain communities, contribute to the ongoing annadaanam sevas, or simply share these stories to spread the word, you are vital to our mission.
Will you join us?
To support the community outreach initiatives of the Satsang Seva Mission, please contribute at https://app.satsang-foundation.org/donate.
To join our teams or start a sustained seva in your own locations, please write to us at connect@satsang-foundation.org.
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