Satsang Seva Journal

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

The New Year was ushered in with great happiness and cheer for both the children of Mathru Abhaya Foundation and the members of Team SSM Hyderabad. The dawn of the New Year, 1st January 2023, was celebrated with a special annadaanam seva offered to the 75 children and staff of this orphanage with which the team members have been associated for the past one year. The children were seated in small groups on large mats in an open ground in the vicinity of the home for boys as a sumptuous lunch of puris, chole, vegetable pulao, vegetable manchurian, raita, and gulab jamuns was served lovingly to the children by the team members.   With great discipline, they waited patiently for their caregiver to arrive and then began the meal with the chanting of the Shanti Mantra ' Om Sahana Vavatu…' invoking peace on all and blessing their anna daata . Watch the video here. The excited and overjoyed children expressed their appreciation of the dishes that they liked the most and completely r