Indians show how to do ‘Big Society’
18th November 2010

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, MP has given his backing to the first ever National Sewa Day (21st November 2010), as a demonstration of communities putting the Big Society into practice. In his message to National Sewa Day organisers, the Prime Minister says: “It is fantastic that thousands of people are volunteering their time to help others, whether that’s by planting trees, cleaning communal areas, helping with soup kitchens or painting murals in schools. It says great things about the Sikh community and the Hindu community, and about this country, and I believe it gives us hope for the future.

“When I talk about building a Big Society – where neighbours and communities come together to make life better – some people say it will never happen. They think it won’t work because there aren’t enough people out there who want to play their part. National Sewa Day show how cynical this is.

“The truth is there is real appetite in our country for social action. It gives people the feeling of belonging that comes with working with your neighbours; it gives the feeling of fulfilment that comes from making a difference. Doing good feels good, which is why it is this government’s mission to bring people together and build the Big Society.”

For the first time ever an army of Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist volunteers from across the country will be taking part in the first ever National Sewa Day (NSD) on Sunday 21 November, 2010. More than 5,000 people from over 100 cultural, community and faith organisations will be volunteering to help relieve hardship, promote environmental preservation and bring joy to older people, children, the disabled and many tens of thousands people.

National Sewa Day projects are taking place throughout the UK, including Bradford, Oldham, Manchester, Birmingham, Leicester, Northampton, Luton and across London. Projects are also taking place further afield in Ireland & Kenya.

Arup Ganguly, Chairman of National Sewa Day, said: “We call it Sewa and the Government call it the Big Society but the concept of selfless service is integral to our dharmic traditions and this is major demonstration of British Asians putting their religious and cultural beliefs into practice.

“National Sewa Day will see thousands of people giving up their free time to give something back to their communities. As communities we need to take the responsibility for overcoming the challenges of disadvantage and deprivation by harnessing resources and talents that exist within them.”

About National Sewa Day

National Sewa Day takes place on Saunday 21st November 2010, the same day as the Jewish community’s day of social action – Mitzvah Day. The week of 22nd November is also Interfaith Week. Over 5,000 people from 100 local groups are participating in National Sewa Day.

Each event / activity meets one or more of the following criteria:

• To relieve hardship & poverty
  To promote environmental preservation
  To bring a little joy
  

In line with creating a focus on social action and volunteering, no fundraising will take place on National Sewa Day, www.nationalsewaday.org.

Projects being undertaken on this day include:

• Hugzy Bear – collection of teddy bears that will be distributed to underprivileged children
• Plant a new forest – over 100,000 new trees will be planted in Heartwood Forest in Hertfordshire
• Care packages – parcels of essential personal hygiene and first aid items will be packed and sent to soldiers serving in Afghanistan. The parcels will contain presents and messages from children
• A Collectathon - collecting unused unwanted spectacles that will be given to Vision Aid International for distribution to those in developing countries
• Feed the Hungry – soup kitchens and food distribution to shelters
• Toys, gifts and book donations – sent to underprivileged and sick children in hospitals and hospices
• Ecology and wildlife sanctuary projects – the renovation of working farms across the UK
• Local environmental cleaning and improvement programmes – including the cleaning up of stained spit marks from pan (betel nut) eating in major urban areas like Ealing Road, Wembley