GRAM SEVA Send this page to a friend     Post your Feedback The Youth Wing of the Sai Organisation of Lucknow (UP) recently adopted Tehetna Village under the TEHETNA GRAM SAI GRAM After being motivated at the Parthi youth yatra 2007, the blessed youth of Lucknow started looking for a appropriate village to do Gram Sewa as per Swami's instruction. Swami helped and through a Sai devotee we found a village called Tehetna Gram on the banks of river Gomti. Swami had sent us back to our rustic roots. Located at the picturesque bank of the river Gomti, this village was still untouched by the urbanization of Lucknow city.near the famous Chandrika Devi temple, this village is approximately 35 kms from lucknow and approximately 10 kms off the main Lucknow-Sitapur highway. After traveling through the puddled road, the river had to be crossed by boat to reach Tehetna. GETTING STARTED We started survey in the village in mid October and by 23rd November we realized that swami had given us an ideal village to do sewa. The summary is as under 108 families, with 1100 inhabitants and all are BPL families Generally all are landless laborers or small farmers with 1-2 bighas of land which fetches them two crops a year. No electricity and no water for irrigation is a major problem. Families are not planned and each has four to five children, and family still growing. No meaningful source of employment Poor infrastructure, very few houses are pucca. Nearest hospital and school are 8kms away across the river Gomti. No Pucca drains in the village, and water from household spills over the main roads ,Spools of water throughout the village are breeding centers for mosquitoes. Water on main roads makes them slippery and dangerous, sometimes even fatal injuries had occurred. The village has a primary school where the children go more for mid day meal, and the teacher is more interested in eating gutka than teaching. The main road of the village is in a good shape and has been tiled recently. There are 11 hand pumps in the village and they are working properly. We finally adopted the village Tehetna in the first week of December 2007 and planned and started a number of activities to improve the state of the villagers. We started of in this manner. GOING TO TEHETNA As Tehetna is approximately 35 kms away from Lucknow going there is a major hurdle.Sai youths reached a predetermined place near there locality and were picked from there in indivigual cars. All collected at the Engineering College Tri section by 7.15 am and we would together leave for Tehetna. As there is no nearby Bridge over the river, we park our vechiles on the river bank and cross the river by boat.The Boat is not Oared but is pulled across the river with the help of a wire tied across the river bank. ACTIVITES DONE WINTER CLOTHES AND BLANKET DISTRIBUTION As winters were fast approaching we realized that the villagers were scantly clothed and ill prepared to cater to severe winters of the northen plains. Clothes were collected by sai youths and carried to Tehetna village and they were segregated in various sizes viz Gents, Ladies, Teenagers, children and infants. Clothes were carried to each and every household were given to each and every member of the family 2 new blankets were also given to each unit The whole exercise took 4 Sundays to complete and a total of 20 Sai Youth members were involved in the whole activity. HOMEOPATHIC DISPENSARY This is a regular and continious sewa and will continue for long in Tehetna. The infrastructure of the Primary school is being utilized. Initially the Rush was immense and approx 250 patients were there, but now it has mellowed down to 180 patients. A doctor and 6 sai youths are involved. VILLAGE DRAINAGE SYSTEM There were little or no puccca drains in the village and water used to spill over from the houses on the main roads, making them slippery and dangerous. We tried to clean the roads but soon realized that drains were the only permanent solution. Material and mason were provided and the villagers pitched to build drains across the whole village. Lot of infighting, confusion, was there amongst the villagers but, dedicated counseling by Sai youths motivated villagers to continue the project. We purposely left those areas that were disputed and carried on with the construction of drains. Every Sunday counseling was done in those disputed areas so that a meaningful solution could be found. Till date we have covered approximately 80% of the village and got constructed 1400 ft of drain. Though still some disputed areas remain. CLEANING OF DRAINS After the drains were built sai youth were actively involved in cleaning of drains at the same time involving the villagers so that the drains are cleaned on a regular basis. BAL VIKAS A group of 4 to 5 Balvikas gurus has been formed to start Bal Vikas classes in the village in the primary school. Even if some gurus are absent the class goes on. 25 to 30 children have started attending the classes. EYE CAMP A complete eye check up camp was done on 23rd February and 60 nos of patients were attended to. 33 patients were given free spectacles. A number of patients (specially old) were found with very poor vision. On 1st march we again visited the village, this time with a genset and vision testing machines .To our horror the doctor stated that many of the older patients had lost their vision due to bad post operative care of operations done earlier. Though he short listed 21 patients for operations only to be done if proper care can be taken. Permission is being sought from District Authorities for eye operations. TUTIONS TO CHILDREN We short listed 5 school going kids. these were students of classes 8th. to 12th.They were provided with stationery and with some books. Regular one hour tutorial classes were started by our Sai youth to be held every Sunday. Soon 3 more students joined in. Maths, Science, and commerce were the main subjects in which help is being provided. PRE SEWA DAL We found that a number of young kids (approx 35 nos)in the age group were 8 to 12 years regularly came for taking sweet pills from the homeopathic doctor. They were sorted out. Some semblance of order was put in them ,their dresses were straightened, hair combed, and when they were lined in, we realized that we have an excellent opportunity for starting our Junior SEWA DAL. Every Sunday one hour is being devoted to them, by couple of our youth and Discipline and NCC ethics are being taught. TOILETS As we had surveyed earlier their was no toilets in the villages, except two in the primary school, they were also choked. First of all we cleaned these two toilets and made them operational. We found that the villagers were not interested in getting Toilets made in their homes. We motivated a couple of them and made two toilets on an experimental basis. When the villagers realized the concept, applications stared to pour in, and everybody wanted a toilet for his house. Till date 12 nos have been made and another 6 are in pipeline. Each toilet is costing approx Rs. 3500/-each. After handing over the toilets to the villagers we found that only a few were using it.Then began another round of motivation and education and some were even coerced to start using these toilets. NAGAR SANKEERTAN After the completion of activities at the village all the Sai youth collectively come out singing Bhajans. As this is a regular activity on every Sunday, the villagers have started joining us. VOCATIONAL TRAINING CAMP With the help of Bank of Baroda a 5 day Vocational Training Camp was organised from 25th March to 30th March. on the first day 30 ladies joined in, however only 17 nos finally were able to complete the camp. They were taught how to make Mango Pickles, Guava Jellies, Various types of Squash, and most importantly how to preserve Mangoes for a longer period. BHAGWAT AT THETNA The villagers themselves organized a weeklong Bhagwat at Tehetna. Some of us visited at the last day on which Hawan was being held. In the end when the Pundit asked them to offer something to the gods, we stepped in and asked them to pledge them to leave their bad habits. With Haldi and chawal in their hands, one by one they came, offering to bid adieu pan, bidis, paan masala, drinking and gambling. Soon the havan kund fire was ablaze with packets of paan masalas, and bidis. They were encouraged by their wives and some were even forced to quit their bad habbits. SAI YOUTH MEET The Youth wing of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation UP & Uttarakhand, organized the first Zonal Youth Meet at Meerut on 27th April. The basic aim of this meet was to understand the Role & Responsibilities of the Youths in our organization, their contributions, and the steps to be taken in terms of attracting more youth power through various seva activities. The Programme started with three Bhajans, lighting of lamp, followed by speeches by youth speakers highlighting about 'instances' of Bhagavan helping and showering His grace, wherever youth relentlessly participated in seva activities. This was followed by a film show, highlighting some of the seva activities which are village cleaning, blood donation, regular eye checkup & eye camp, vocational training, village bal vikas, medical camps & construction of toilets. The day and the noon schedule comprised of youth speakers, speaking and emphasizing about 'How to add Youth, with ourselves being an example at all fronts'. The main crux of the meet came through the final group discussion of all the youth participants, participating aggressively with suggestions regarding - 'Steps & activities to be taken up to attract youth towards the organization". The various important points that came out from the various groups, were jotted and summarized and the same was incorporated as a role model for the futuristic youth activities. Briefing a few that the entire group decided to follow- Interaction with Educational institution for spreading Swami's message. Change ourselves to change others More emphasis on vocational & job oriented training. Every month one Sadhana camp Involvement of the children of Sai devotees These minutes of the Group discussion was sent to all participant, so as to remind everyone of the seriousness of the commitment. The meeting was an overall very interactive and fruitful. We pray to Swami to give us strength so as to carry out His work. KANPUR GRAM SEVA. Fifteen families of village Pratapurhari lost their complete belongings in a fire. All the fifteen houses had Bamboo and Grass roofs. Sai Samities of Kanpur City (U.P.) came to the rescue of these villagers. Every effected family was given 'Amrit Kalas' consisting of 100 Kgs of wheat, 10 kg of rice, dal and sugar etc. They were also given cloths and utensils to start their normal life. Their houses were repaired by the Sai Yuvak of Kanpur Samiti ADULT EDUCATION Villagers around Kanpur City are totally illiterate therefore a Literacy drive has started by the Samiti Members from the City. GRAM SEVA Villages around the city of Allahabad located at the Sangam of River Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswathy. Gram Seva under SSSVIP at Village 'Chaprokhas' started offering prayers to our Dear Lord Sri Satya Sai Baba. The village has been adopted by Allahabad District (U.P.) after Seva Dal carried out door to door survey and meeting with the villagers. The Villagers mostly occupied by landless labourers they have been living as stone shelters or hiring the land for irrigation. The conditions generally of all the residents is poor because they cannot afford irrigation facilities they have to depend upon the Rain God only. This village does not have any electricity. Samiti Members after examining the detail documents relating to the hiring of land decided to provide pumping set so that some of the villagers can irrigate their land by pumping water from the close by river. Medicare to the villagers are provided on regular basis. Youth from this area are also being prepared for Parthi Yatra during September 2008. During the Dipawali Festival Amrit Kalas and sweats and idol of Ganesha and Laxmi were distributed to the villagers. The village does not have the road as seen in the picture and the Seva Dal carried Amrit Kalas by walking to the village. Work on community Centre has been stated in the village. In several Villagers have been adopted for gram seva in this part of Uttar Pradesh. In another district Kaushambi the Seva Dal after carrying out door to door survey can identify the families and distributing Amrit Kalas as seen in the picture. "Kanti Gaon" a village, about 40 kms from Allahabad was devastated by a massive fire, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samiti, Allahabad carried out Seva work by providing villagers with free medicines and clothes. ALLAHABAD SAMITI Eighty Two hours Akhand Bhajan was organized by the Sai Samiti in the town of Allahabad the Bhajan was attended the large number devotees. The Samiti celebrated the New Year by distributing the Blankets to the needy people, who were suffering from cold. BALVIKAS Balvikas Guru's Training was conducted at District Allahabad, theme of the workshop was Bal Vikas through "Play-Way". In the picture Children are seen learning by playing specially design games. ALIGARH ZONE At Aligarh "SERVA DHARM "SAMANVAYA DAY" celebrated. The theme was "There is only one religion, The religion of LOVE". On this occasion 5 distinguished speakers spoke on Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism One of the distinguished speakers speaking on the occasion SEVA ACTIVITIES Distribution of drinking water to train passengers by sevadal at Shikohabad junction during summer season. This is a regular activity Monthly Narayan Seva at leprosy home by Shikohabad Samiti Distribution of stationary to the poor children at village school Eye check camp at Hathras Patient is undergoing all the required tests before the cataract operation at Hospital Narayan Seva at "MATRA CHAYA" ashram, Hathras. This is done every month. NOIDA Shri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Noida is completing 10 years of organizing voluntary blood donation camps amongst its service activities with a spirit of "Manav Seva is Madhav Seva" i.e., "Service to Mankind is Service to God". The camps are organised by the youth, are totally free of cost and the blood at these camps is collected mainly by the Indian Red Cross & the CNC Blood Bank at AIIMS. So far around thirty camps have been conducted and over 3500 units have been collected. These camps are very well organised, and aim to give the donor an emotional satisfaction so that he becomes a regular donor. The camps are held mostly during the summer to help tide over the lean months for blood collection. Donors consist of ordinary residents of Noida, and are motivated to donate through a door to door campaigning. Camps are rotated in different sectors of Noida to give an opportunity to more number of donors to donate and understand the necessity for voluntary & periodical blood donation. The simplicity of the methodology used to conduct the camp makes this model very effective over the years. It is pioneering in a certain sense as this model has been replicated in UP & Uttaranchal, Karnataka and other states without much effort. This model addresses the problems currently faced in the voluntary blood donation, is easily replicable & has brought about positive transformation in all the people and the processes involved. The organisers have prepared a detailed manual for organising blood donation camps based on this model which is also available. The camp layout is designed to sequentially pass the donor through the camp with ease, with good signage to further guide the donors. Adequate care is taken on ventilation, lighting, hygiene, etc. Volunteers are strategically provided to guide & help the donors. Volunteers are also positioned in the bleeding area to interact with the donors. These volunteers not only help divert the attention of the donor from the bleeding, but also educate the donor on blood its components & their usage. Experience shows this to be very effective and donors have been motivated in bringing in more donors, due to the emotional fulfillment. A small gift with utility is provided to the donors not only as a gesture of thanks, but also to remind the donor of his donation, every time he uses the gift. A Certificate of Donation has been found to be effective motivation for college going students. GRAM SEVA Noida is a Industrial Town adjacent to Delhi but in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Due to rapid Industrialisation & construction of High rise buildings the village land have been converted into posh localities. The villages have been converted into slum areas without any infrastructure facilities total health and hygiene lacks in these places. Satya Sai Seva Samiti Noida adopted one of the villages and has started Integrated Seva using Temple as the Centre. The Residents are provided Medical help by twice a week medical camp. Regular Bhajan and Bal Vikas Classes in the village have started. The children have really taken interest in the Sai Programmes. Youth of the village have visited Parthi. Installation Of Deep Water Handpump at Village Sadarpur Khajura With the Grace of Bhagwan Baba, the Hand pumps installed by Samiti had sweet water whereas all the other hand pumps around had sour and hard water. GORAKHPUR GRAM SEVA Eastern Part or Uttar Pradesh has number of District some of them are closed to Nepal Border and whenever it rains heavily or Nepal Villagers releases overflowing waters these villagers get flooded. The Samiti has adopted once such village by the name JUNGLE TIKONIA NO.2. These villages were created by Government by clearing the Jungle and making the TIKONIA cast people to settle down at these villages. This village is about 14 kms from the city but 50% of the population is below the poverty line and mostly they are landless labourers they go for employment to the nearby town of Gorakhpur. The villagers lack basic health and hygiene facility. Gorakhpur Samiti conducted a Medical Camp at this village with a team of 4 doctors and started Balvikas for the children of the village. Samiti has planned for making drainage in the village. One of the boy aged about 21 years fell from a tree and had lower abdomen portion paralyzed. He was brought to the district Hospital for treatment since this involves along treatment and the Samiti taking care of this child since he has only mother to look after him she is also without any resources. The Samiti provides regularly Amritkalas for two of them and has appointed one compounder of the village to take care of his regular dressing and the necessary equipment to save him from his bed soar. We all pray to Bhagwan Baba for his complete recovery. The Director of IIT Roorki giving a tricycle to a physically challenged boy Neetu in a function on 27th Feb,2008. UTTARAKHAND This is a story of a 10 year boy name, Neetu from a Village Shanker Puri, Near the Town of Roorkee in Uttrakhand. The boy could not walk as his legs and hands were effected by Polio. He was found in the village moving on both the hands and feets resulting into a pitiable condition. He was neglected even by his family members and was teased by other children of the village. Sai Sevak from Roorkee Samithi met this boy during their survey of village and he was given Love Therapy in the form of basic needs and proper haircuts etc. Neetu became a child of Samithi and necessary medial treatment along with proper diet on regular basis was a part of Seva by the Samithi members in the form of love brought the life back into the boy. Now he moves on bicycle and attend the school in the village and has friends. From the same village 16 years girls Anita was found to be physically handicapped. She lived in a house along with her mother. They could not afford to latrine in the house. After her mother expired she was left with no support. She particularly found going out for her routine, difficult and embarrassing. Sri Satya Sai Seva Samiti made a toilet and bath room in her house. She has been a given a wheel chair. So that she can move around in the village and she also attends the other welfare programmes being conducted in the village by the Samiti. Anita a physically challenged girl was provided a wheel chair during a function on 27th Feb,2008 Girls who completed their six months training in sewing and embroidery were given certificates The Samiti conducted vocational training classes in the village for the ladies. Womens Welfare Centre has been opened in the village with six sewing machines and a trainer to train the unemployed ladies of the village so that they can stitch clothes and thus gainful employment. First batch of 20 ladies have completed their training in February 2008 and now the training is going on for 2nd batch consisting of 24 trainees has also three months of training. Androli about 225 kms from the State Capital Town of Dehradun is hub of Medical Camp in the hills of Pauri Garhwal. A team of Sai Sevak along with doctors and Para Medical Staff set course for 3 days to attend to the Sick in this remote area. 545 patients came from about 24 villages to receive Bhagwan's love through the Sai Sevak's. All the patients were given required treatment and medicine including 126 cases of Dental Problems were treated. 12 patients were identified for cataract surgery. These patients were brought to Kotdwar for cataract surgery. Kotdwar is 140 kms from Androli and has District a Hospital. The Kotdwar Samiti members took care of the patients after surgery and post operative check ups all the patients were sent back to their villages. This has been a regular activity of the Samiti in the part of the country. An exhibition 'Sai Prem Dhara' was organised at famous Parade ground Dehradun from 30th Dec, 2007 to 4th Jan, 2008. Exhibition was visited by thousands of people from different walks of life including Uttarakhand Govt. ministers and senior officers. Sai Prem Dhara was further exhibited in Kotdwar, distt. Pauri from 19th to 21st Jan, 2008 and at Veer Keshari Chand festival near Chakrata in Jaunsar Babhar on 3rd May, 2008. Four medical camps including eye and dental camps are held in Uttarakhand zone every month. In addition to this daily and weekly homeopathic camps are held at Roorki, Dehradun and Kashipur. Five mega medical camps were held during the past four months. In these mega camps the patient's attendance was between 350 to 550. During Jan, 2008 in the extreme cold conditions more than 200 blankets were distributed to the needy persons by Dehradun, Roorki, Haridwar and other samities. Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samiti distribution of 83 blankets in Jan, 2008 at Sri Sathya Sai Seva center Dhulkot. A house at Dhulkot village was devastated due to fire on 31st March, 2008. A house at village Dhulkot near Dehradun was destroyed by fire on 31st March, 2008. Sai youth provided food (dry rations) and cloths (to all the five member of the family) within 8 hours after the information was received. sai yuvaks there after reconstructed the house within 7 days and handed over to the Narayan family. Sai Youth reconstructing the burnt house. Prev. Issues : Guru Purnima Issue, 2006     Birthday Issue 2006     Sivarathri 2007    Birthday Issue 2007     Sivarathri 2008