Sewa Saahas Organises Adventure Trip

Onset of 2019 became a milestone for Sewa Saahas, Uttarakhand, (Sewa‘s adventure tourism and disaster management initiative), as it hosted a group of 9 young travelers from Tamil Nadu who experienced authentic Himalayan life between 2nd-6th January, with a variety of activities including skiing, snow trekking, jungle camping, rock climbing and homestay in Karchhon village. During the course of the trip, they visited Haridwar, moving on to Joshimath, Auli, and Durkund which are some of the most picturesque winter destinations of the region. The tourists chose to shun the luxurious traveling style and engaged on the ground level with the people and their way of life in the mountains.

Their feedback and enthusiastic participation of the community has been overwhelming as well as humbling for us. We hope to expand and curate more of such trips in the future as well.

Sewa Mahila Jyoti, our non-farm skill development initiative, inaugurated a 20-days community knitting training program in Pokhari(Chamoli), in which the local women from nearby villages were trained to operate modern knitting machines so as to diversify their income options and set up their own small businesses. It was heartwarming to see these women diligently taking out time to attend such training despite the rigorous and busy life in the mountains. Such training not just fosters a community spirit of oneness within the women but also engages them in a skill that can become an alternate source of revenue in the future.

Training Program – Potato Cultivation

Sewa International, Kashi organized an agricultural training program on potato cultivation, diseases associated and the role of pesticides. Dr. J.P Rai, senior scientist at BHU was the chief guest of the training program. He briefed the farmers regarding the good practices needed for increasing the productivity of potato crop. A detailed discussion was undertaken regarding the ways and means to avoid pesticides like Vidomile MJ being sprayed on the plants that increases the toxicity of the soil. The farmers were told about the mode of identification of moths and pests that affect the potato plants. Effective ways of prevention and cure against various bacterial infections, waterborne diseases, viruses etc were told to the farmers.

The guests also visited Sewa International’s demo farms in the area along with other team members. The event was a success as it gave a new direction to farmers involved in potato farming and other agricultural endeavors.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated once in every two years to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the GoI and reconnect them with their roots. The 15th PBD Convention was held on 21-23 January 2019 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The theme of PBD Convention 2019 was “Role of Indian Diaspora in building New India”. On the occasion, Sewa International showcased the handloom weaving and carpet weaving products made by its artisans in Kashi and Kutch region.

The running theme for its stalls was ‘Hamari Sanskriti Hamari Sabhyata’, an endeavor to link the Indian diaspora to the traditional fabric of the country. We also had put a Live Demo of the Carpet Loom at our stall for the visitors to see the work in action. Various dignitaries and our Sewa Associates from various other countries like Mauritius, USA, Nepal, UK, Trinidad & Tobago, Australia, EU countries etc, attended the 3-days event.

Sewa International is glad to inform that Shri Gitesh Desai – President of SewaHouston Chapter, won the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas held at Varanasi on Jan 23, 2019 for Community Service and Leadership. The award was presented by Shri Ram Nath Kovind, President of India to 28 eminent NRIs and two organizations of the Indian diaspora for their achievements in various fields.