Satsang Seva Journal

Team SSM Coimbatore has been associated with the Government School for the Visually Challenged in Poochiyur, Coimbatore since the past one year, supporting the children with frequent annadaanam seva and helping with the upkeep of the outdoor premises.  Recently, on the request of the school principal, a renovation of the classrooms was undertaken with complete sponsorship from Sterna Security, Coimbatore. Cracked ceiling plasters, water seepage, termite infestation, and bad floors were repaired through the month of April 2023. The newly water-proofed roof; application of termite protection; and tiled floors have thus ensured that the  children have a conducive and safe learning space. A joyous pooja  ceremony was held on 26th of April 2023 to formally welcome the children back to their newly-furbished classes. Team SSM Coimbatore and the school management expressed their gratitude to Sterna Security for their magnanimous gesture towards the creation of a comfortable learning environme

Team SSM Mumbai had organized a fun-filled day out on 17th April 2023 for 80 children from the age group of 10 to 16 years at the Hiranandani Park, situated near the Hiranandani Estate, Thane. An exhilarating games session of kabbadi and the ever-popular Tug of War preceding the offering of traditional snacks such as vada pav and the delectable khaja , a North Indian sweet. The children thoroughly enjoyed this session filled with joyous camaraderie not only with their peers but also with their dear friends from Team SSM Mumbai. To support these wondrous youngsters and participate in the seva initiatives of Team SSM Mumbai, please write to us at connect@satsang-foundation.org .

On 28th March 2023, members of Team SSM Hyderabad set off to meet the children sheltered at the Mathru Abhaya Foundation for a special painting workshop during the distribution of the monthly kit of dry rations. The team members first offered dry rations such as cooking oil, sugar, spices, groundnuts, and toiletries. After the children had taken their lunch, about 25 children from ages 4 to 14 participated in a spontaneous painting workshop facilitated by a team member. The children were simply delighted to use their brilliant watercolors and splashed them onto paper to create beautiful landscapes amidst excited chatter and joyous laughter. To support these bright youngsters and participate in the activities of Team SSM Hyderabad, please write to us at connect@satsang-foundation.org .

Team SSM Kolkata offered monthly annadaanam seva on 26th March 2023 at the Nimtala Ghat on the banks of the River Hooghly near the famous Baba Bhootnath Dham temple which is 300 years old.  As devotees thronged the temple, the team members served hot khichadi  to about 400 daily wagers, pavement dwellers, and the less privileged living nearby. The refreshing ambiance and the gentle breeze from the River Hooghly brought much respite from the summer heat as the recipients savored the delicious, hot meal.  The team members expressed their gratitude for having experienced the joy of giving and sharing with the less privileged. To participate in the Annadaanam Kolkata initiative of Team SSM Kolkata, please write to us at connect@satsang-foundation.org .

The Love Care Centre, a unit of the Parthasarathy Memorial Trust, in Pallikaranai, Chennai, houses 35 residents and 35 day scholars. Since the past three years Team SSM Chennai has been providing dry rations for the specially-abled children and adults at this centre established by Gomathi Jagadeesan, herself a specially-abled person. Recently, the team members received a request from the management to help repair and paint the centre. They helped purchase the raw materials required for the renovation which was duly completed. The inmates and the personnel at the centre were extremely happy and expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Team SSM Chennai.  To support the seva initiatives of Team SSM Chennai, please write to us at connect@satsang-foundation.org .

Team SSM Mumbai celebrated International Women's Day by honoring 60 women domestic workers in a special event organized at the Gajanan Maharaj Bhakta Samaj, Navi Mumbai on 11th March 2023. The women were very happy to learn simple pranayama , breathing techniques, and the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) to help them relax and develop mental resilience. Sessions on the importance of child care and a nutritious diet emphasized the pivotal role of the women in their family. The team members concluded the event by offering a gift bag containing travel bags, steel plates, cups, glasses, snacks, and cool drinks. To join hands with Team SSM Mumbai and support our women domestic workers, please write to us at connect@satsang-foundation.org .

Team SSM Pune celebrated the festival of Holi with the differently-abled children of ANIKET Sevabhavi Santha on 6th March 2023. The children first participated in the ritual of Holika Dahan . Some of the girls drew beautiful rangolis and filled them with vibrant colors. The children then sang and joyously danced around the bonfire. Their eyes sparkled with happiness as they received their all-time favorite snack of vada pav and sweet gulab jamuns soon after. The team members expressed their gratitude for having celebrated these festive moments with these wondrous children. To support the initiatives of Team SSM Pune and experience the joy of giving and sharing, please write to us at connect@satsang-foundation.org .

Team SSM Mumbai organized a Holi Milan on 5th March 2023 for 65 children from the Thirupada Labour Camp at the Hiranandani Estate, Thane.  The celebrations started with a fun-filled race, an exhilarating game of kho-kho , and the traditional phugdee . The team members then adorned the faces of the children with bright Holi colors and shared delectable, sweet gujiyas and savory vada pav with them. Joyous shouts of 'Happy Holi' and laughter rang through the air as the celebrations drew to a close. To participate in such festive sevas and experience the joy of giving and sharing, please write to us at connect@satsang-foundation.org .

Their homes reduced to rubble, many of their loved ones dead, and the chill of winter seeping into their bones, the quake-hit children, women, and men of Turkey are going through incredible pain and suffering.  On the 13th of February, 2023 Team SSM Delhi-NCR sent 400 warm blankets through the Turkish Embassy as an expression of their solidarity and support. Blessings and prayers for the alleviation of their suffering were offered before the blankets were handed over. To join hands with Team SSM Delhi-NCR , please write to us at connect@satsang-foundation.org .

On the 11th of February, Team SSM Delhi-NCR joined hands with the Center for Holistic Development (CHD) to offer annadaanam seva to over 1500 city makers at the Jawahar Shramik Sthal, Yamuna Pushta.  Sri M, founder of The Satsang Foundation, graced the occasion and spoke of the importance of service to mankind. After inspecting the new shelter home Sri M recommended the installation of desert coolers during summer. He also supported the launch of several skilling and livelihood initiatives at the home.  Mr. Sunil Kumar Aledia, founder of CHD, spoke of the various initiatives aimed at including the marginalized city makers into the mainstream and helping them live a life of dignity. The SSM volunteers then lovingly served a nutritious meal of rice, lentils, potato and cauliflower curry, chilli pickle, semolina halwa , and ginger chai to the city makers in batches till 3 p.m.  A youngster expressed joy at having partaken of a full meal while a lady shramik offered her blessings to the

In continuation of their commitment to the youngsters at Angel's Nest Orphanage, members of Team SSM Mumbai organized academic support classes and counseling sessions for them. On 4th February, 2023 about 18 young girls received academic support in preparation for their final exams followed by the conceptualization of the Hindi and Marathi alphabet. A basic grammar lesson spanning English, Hindi, and Marathi was also illustrated with examples. Support in Accountancy, Economics, Finance, and Book-keeping was offered to the sole law student in the home. The academic sessions ended with the sharing of delightful snack boxes containing sandwiches, vegetable patties, and muffins. On 5th of February, 2023, a group counseling session was facilitated to help the young girls overcome their fears and anxiety related to exams.  To support Team SSM Mumbai in this initiative, please write to us at connect@satsang-foundation.org .

Team SSM Mumbai celebrated Republic Day on 26th January 2023 with the local community of slum dwellers living near the Sai Baba Temple, Chembur. In an event organized for the children, the national flag was hoisted amidst resounding chants of 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai.' The children then sang patriotic songs depicting the spirit of brotherhood and harmony. The team members concluded the event by offering samosas and jalebis to the children.  To join hands with Team SSM Mumbai and support this vibrant local community, please write to us at connect@satsang-foundation.org .

The young girls at the Angel's Nest Orphanage, Marol were delighted to welcome members from Team SSM Mumbai for a series of activities through the month of January 2023. During the first visit on 15th January, the team members facilitated a follow-up of group and individual counseling sessions for the youngsters.  They also offered groceries comprising lentils, spices, paneer , Kerala parotas , biscuits, health drink mix, and ice cream.  During the next visit on 21st January 2023, academic support classes in Maths and Accounts were held for 10 school students from Grade 8 to 12 and first year BSc students.  The following day, 22nd January 2023, the team members resumed the counseling sessions for a few youngsters and organized a craft session for a group of 15 youngsters. They also organized a creative activity of making costumes from newspapers. A discussion on career options concluded this visit. To support the endeavors of Team SSM Mumbai, please write to us at connect@satsang-f

Joyous moments marked Sri M's visit on 17th January 2023 to ANIKET Sevabhavi Sanstha as he interacted with the differently-abled children sheltered at this safe home. A fun-filled yoga session facilitated by a member of Team SSM Pune delighted the children as they performed asanas such as Marjasana, Sinhasana, and Bhujangasana , imitating the postures of animals and their sounds. The children then welcomed Sri M with applause and chanted the Gayatri Mantra , Guru Stuti , and Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra . A personal interaction and breakfast followed. Sri M blessed the children and encouraged the founder, Mrs. Varpe, to continue her selfless seva . To join hands with Team SSM Pune and support ANIKET Sevabhavi Sanstha, please write to connect@satsang-foundation.org .

Team SSM Bengaluru celebrated the joyous harvest festival of Makar Sankranti on 15th January 2023 by continuing to offer the weekly annadaanam seva at Vallabh Niketan Ashram and Lakshmipura. As the team members lovingly served the Sunday special breakfast of set dosas, vegetable kurma, vadas, sambar, and sapotas , the youngsters at the Ashram gathered together with great enthusiasm and interacted with them. During lunch, a group of team members offered a filling meal of rice, sambar, vegetable pulao, kesari bhath, and payasam to 200 people from the community of daily wagers and pavement dwellers living in Lakshmipura, Gavipuram. Festive greetings accompanied the meals as everyone expressed gratitude for the abundant blessings of Mother Nature. To support the endeavors of Team SSM Bengaluru and experience the joy of giving and sharing, please write to us at connect@satsang-foundation.org .

By serving somebody, you are actually doing nothing. The person whom you are serving is actually giving you an opportunity to evolve.   --- Sri M Sri M's message of selfless service was exemplified by Team SSM Mumbai as the team members welcomed the dawn of a new year by offering bedsheets and blankets at two different locations in Mumbai. A team member visited the 25 senior citizens residing at Happy Flock Old Age Home in Karjat, situated about 60 kilometers from Mumbai on 31st December 2022 and offered bedsheets, pillow covers, and a little bag of goodies to them. Sweet smiles of gratitude and informal conversations marked this seva on the eve of the New Year. On the 3rd of January, 2023 a group of team members offered blankets to 125 construction workers at a construction site in Navi Mumbai . As the workers gathered together during a break in their schedule, the team members reached out to each one and gave them their blankets with much reverence and gratitude. To participate