Social empowerment through work and action (sewa).
SEWA is social or community service; it can include environmental and international projects. The word ‘Seva’ to a large extent inspires SEWA (Social Empowerment through work and action) philosophy, which in the Indian environment refers to the concept of service to the community.
It enables and inspires each student to develop a spirit of discovery and initiative that has real benefits and consequences. It encourages students to develop a sense of responsibility and personal commitment to doing what they can to improve the world around them and increase the well being of others. It prepares students to participate in and contribute to the local as well as a global community by fostering the development of values and attitudes that transcend issues of politics, religion, class, race and gender. SEWA aims to abet students in becoming better persons, more humane and committed citizens and future leaders working to create a harmonious and peaceful world.
SEWA (Social Empower of the curriculum which is not evaluated but only commented upon – is SEWA. The word ‘SEWA’ in the Indian environment refers to the concept of service to the community.
The objective of this programme is to underline the significance of the interdependence of all human beings in this shrinking global village. Students must acknowledge that they have a responsibility towards the less privileged, those who are in need and the principle of giving to society has to become second nature to them.
Social empowerment can be done through a large number of ways. Community Awareness sanitation, health, civic habits, rule of law, social justice, truthful living along with creating respect for social institutions, are a few indicators of the way how this could be achieved.
Promoting consumer awareness, facilitating inclusivity, care for senior citizens, ensuring eco-sensitive social responses and the like would go a long way as instruments of social change.
This could be done by every single learner as a contributing citizen in a micro manner and can also be achieved through focused action as teams or social groups. The school can identify the avenues for social empowerment depending on the local social needs and the environment of the country they are living in.
Thus today the students of Shantiniketan CBSE(i) have vowed to commit themselves to this noble cause, asking but one question to all around them ‘IF IT WAS YOU!’ HOW WOULD YOU FEEL?” On behalf the students I proudly declare this commitment as “Appreciation to
The Less Fortunate”.
Labour Day is celebrated in order to honour the contribution of working men and women. It is also known as May Day. May 1st corresponds to the International Workers’ Day which is celebrated around the world. It is observed as a national holiday in around 80 countries.
Generally labourers assist skilled people in their tasks. In order to get such jobs they have to be physically fit, hardworking and able to follow instructions rapidly and proficiently. They are employed under various job descriptions, construction, load and unload structure materials, maintain and plant gardens, operate machinery, maintain tools and equipments, construct and maintain roads …………
Inspite of their hard work, labourers are paid below minimum wages and are exploited to the maximum. The housing conditions are extremely poor and continue to live in barrack ranges. Medical attention is most of the time not provided. Their live in inconvenient residence and if protested they could be suspended from work, imposed fines and even expelled from their duties.
A labourer’s social environment is of high stress with low reward and have no company culture. There is a lot of favoritism and poor management which results in lack of communication between employer and employee.
A labour works in hazardous or unhealthy conditions that could result in a labour being seriously injured or even killed. These hazardous situations lead to emotional consequences where labourers are obliged to carry on working inspite of the dangers they are put through. This leads to a depression in their emotional environment.
To appreciate the service staff of Shantiniketan Indian School as well as Barwa Village, the CBSE(i) students of Shantiniketan Indian School facilitated 60 workers with a cultural programme and a hamper of goodies consisting of biscuits, sugar, rice, juices, chicken Maggie noodles, vegetable noodles, soaps, macaroni, t-shirts, tomato paste, spaghetti, wafers, soup packets, oil, horlicks and many more such items in bulk.
Principal Dr. Subhash Nair in his key note address appreciated the students and teachers for their deep concern to honour the service staff and provide them with inspiration to carry on with their good work.
President Mr. K.C. Abdul Lateef expressed that Shantiniketan Indian School in its vision and mission to provide an environment that leads the learner to excel in pursuit of knowledge and experience in an atmosphere of genuine freedom and profound joy. This school being a centre of excellence moulding responsible citizens with outstanding life skills to meet all means of the globe. A symbol of innovation committed to provide education blending head and heart, nurturing human and humane qualities was well displayed through the uniqueness of the childrens’ love and concern for service staff on this auspicious day. He encouraged the CBSE(i) Vice Principal and teachers to continue to innovate the students to be globally involved in sharing and caring making the universe a glove of brotherhood.
The programme consisted of two dances, a drama, two songs, a lucky dip, games and distribution of hampers full of goodies.
Mr. Dudley O’Connor, Vice Principal of CBSE(i) applauded the students, parents and the teachers in implementing the theme of love and bringing about an awareness of the lives of the less fortunate brothers and sisters in our community who deserve to be loved and respected.
The day saw smiles and satisfaction on the faces of the service staff os Shantiniketan Indian School and Barwa Village.
Vice Principal (Admin) Mr. Shiabuddin, in his vote of thanks thanked President Mr. K.C. Abdul Lateef, Secretary Mr. Abdul Kadir, Principal Dr. Subhash Nair, Vice Principal Mr. Dudley O’Connor, parents, students and teachers of the CBSE(i) stream for expressing the value of community unity. He further expressed his thanks to the press Gulf Times Peninsula and Al Jazeera for being present to witness this function.