Seva Café- Enjoy the joy of “giving”
The season of giving is just around the corner. But its spirit has been already brewing for the past three months, since the inception of Seva Café in the city. Based on the Gandhian principle, “Service to man is Service to God,” the concept seems almost unreal in today’s materialistic world. But when you see people from different walks of life selflessly giving themselves for the betterment of others and the world around, the feeling is just overwhelming.
Conducted at different venues in the city, Seva Café is a wonderful concept that takes a form of a pay it forward restaurant but without a price tag attached to it. It is an attempt that believes in humble giving and selfless service.
Each one who is a part of the Café has a duty to perform. As a volunteer, you can engage in cooking wholesome meals or serving it with love to the gracious guests. As a visitor, you can compensate the hospitality with service or kind (which is as per your discretion). The money that is collected is used to support social service projects wherein all the costs and incomes are made transparent.
Now the question arises why should anyone be a part of it? Mainly, it promises to be a life- enhancing experience for all those who take participate and lives up to it cent per cent. And the positive energy thriving in each and every person out there makes you feel that you are a part of a change that leads to a better society. Also if you feel it’s only work and will turn out to be a drab experience, well you’re so wrong. First and foremost being in the company of like- minded and fun loving people the work automatically transpires to so much of fun. That you don’t even realize you’re working and being a part of such a larger objective without it all being too sermonizing. And what’s more, after all that delicious food you could even shake a leg with the volunteers for some live dancing or participate in soulful singing sessions. “The smile on each person’s face attending the event, the joy and vibrancy spreading through each heart is totally worth watching. At the end of it everyone just drops their inhibitions and enjoys every moment of it. A very humbling experience,” adds Khushmita Biyala a yoga therapist and volunteer about her experience in Seva café.
Personally for me, it was the most beautiful and transforming experience in my life, meeting fantastic people and sharing so many laughs and ideas that have only added value to my life. You may have come here as a guest but leave as a part of a beautiful extended family with memories that you can cherish for a lifetime. Sheetal Kharka the founder of Innocent Heroes, NGO says “The togetherness that one feels in spite of not being known to many is simply amazing and surprising. You can’t believe that by serving a simple meal with lots of love can actually be a fulfilling experience.”
At the end of all the service you may believe that you’ve given others, but what you take back is beyond measure. Not words but only experiencing it can give true justice to the concept. So if you feel ready to experience Seva Café, kindly email at sevacafepune@gmail.com for further details.
More articles by Trupti Shetty
- Simple and unassuming Padma Cafe - March 5th, 2010
- Do you believe in making New Year Resolutions? - January 22nd, 2010
- Weekend Getaways around Pune - January 15th, 2010
- Drive those birthday blues away… - December 14th, 2009
- World AIDS Day- Aid your child with Sex Education - December 1st, 2009
