The journey began with the blessing of VTSeva CEO, HH Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji. His thoughtful insights and unwavering support bolster the resolve. The flame spreads, igniting the passion of our subject matter experts and the dynamic teachers of Netra Vidyalaya. Our Nethra students are introduced to FLL bricks, coding, and how to build a robot using Legos. For two months, they worked tirelessly to understand, design, test, rebuild, and make their innovative ideas work. They not only improve their skills in robotics but also get better at presenting their ideas eloquently in English. They named their team ‘Thought Notch Robotica’. The two-day national competition in Goa sees participation from 350 teams from all over the country. Against all odds, the Netra Vidyalaya team did exceptionally well, showcasing their innovative idea of ‘Sudoku for Visually Challenged’ and their passion for ‘Cricket for Blind’. They presented real solutions to the problems they face as visually challenged individuals. The Sudoku idea they presented is the first of its kind for the blind. They gave it their all and did just as planned. The result is a testament to their hard work - they won the ‘Champions Award’. Now they are here to attend the FIRST Worlds Championship! We are excited to meet our champions! In Texas, multiple sessions have been planned in Houston, Austin & Dallas. In addition to this, Our Netra Vidyalaya team "𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝑹𝒐𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂" is going to give a presentation on "𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬" - 𝐀 𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐡 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 at the 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐑. 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟏𝟗 @ 𝟏𝟎 𝐀𝐌 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝟑𝟒𝟎𝐁. We also have a virtual session to meet our champions from anywhere in the world! On April 20, let's join us at 8 AM PST / 9 AM MST / 10 AM CST / 11 AM EST. Meeting Link: bit.ly/vtschampionsmeet Please click here to support our Nethra Vidyalaya team: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjA0NjQz For more details on their journey in India Championship: https://www.vtsworld.org/post/nethra-students-see-the-world-through-robotics

Author: Parth Ganga Co-President Youth Executive Board The preparation for our annual walkathon started well in advance. With a dedicated team of youth volunteers in place, we set out to meticulously plan every aspect of the walkathon. From selecting a suitable route to coordinating logistics, every detail was carefully considered under the guidance of our advisors. We used our social media presence, reached out to local authorities, and established partnerships with other organizations to increase the impact and ensure a smooth and successful event. As the date of the walkathon drew near, we focused our efforts on mobilizing support from the community. Through social media campaigns, word-of-mouth promotion, and outreach to local influencers  and school clubs, we spread the word far and wide, inviting individuals of all ages to join us in our cause. This helped us draw the largest and very engaged crowd that we ever saw till date at a walkathon we had hosted. . On the actual day of our mental health awareness walkathon we saw participants from diverse backgrounds and different age groups coming together to raise awareness about mental health issues, promote understanding, and reduce stigma while participating in a fun run/ walkathon. A green balloon arch welcomed the guests to our beautiful venue. The event included walks, talks, and activities aimed at educating the community about mental health resources and support. Our distinguished speakers shared stories, connected with others, and advocated for better access to mental health services. Overall, the walkathon served as a powerful reminder of the importance of prioritizing mental well-being and supporting those who may be struggling. While the primary focus was on raising awareness on this important cause, we made it more fun by awarding medals to the fastest runners to complete the 5k. We also had the privilege of having Matthew Jorgen a representative of local congressman at our walkathon, who was able to hand out the medals to the winners and recognized our organization for hosting this walkathon. As we look back on the journey that led us here, we are filled with a sense of pride and gratitude. The youth-led walkathon was not just a one-time event; it was a testament to the power of collective action and the potential of young leaders to raise awareness towards a meaningful cause. Receiving recognition for our organization's efforts in hosting the walkathon is truly humbling. It highlights the collective commitment of our team and supporters towards fostering community engagement and promoting awareness for the cause. This acknowledgment serves as a reminder of the impact we can make when we come together with passion and purpose.

Have you ever wondered what goes behind the scenes to produce clean, safe drinking water? Atlanta VT Seva youths visited ‘Tom Lowe Atlanta Water Plant’ on April 4th to learn water treatment process. Our youths learned what goes behind-the-scenes and produce clean water for the Fulton county residents each day. Clean drinking water is vital to our good health and it’s our responsibility to save water for the next generation. More than 40 Atlanta VT Seva youths participated in this educational Water Tour. This water plant has an incredible track record of providing clean, safe drinking water to more than 300,000 residents in Fulton County. Our youths will share the feedback about this tour and also their Action plan to save water in their daily life. We have build good relationships with the Water plant officials and they learned about VT Seva and the good work of VT Seva Atlanta team!

VTSeva Austin Annual fundraising Impact. Thank you for your generous support always. $1/day can tranform life of a visually challenged and a tribal student. Scroll below for the impact your donations can make with the donation options you choose. With you support VTSeva Austin branch can atleast empower 150 students out of 1300 visually challenged and underprivileged students VTSeva Austin Local Impact : Empowering youth and adults to take service forward and inculcating community give back. Major services Austin branch does ·      Spreading equality among youth through speech contests and public speaking platforms. ·      Converting TSBVI(Texas school of blind and visually challenged) library books to audiobooks to enhance accessibility. ·      Establishing a cutting-edge listening space at TSBVI library to support diverse learning needs. ·      Conducting annual book drives for Title I schools and fundraising events for tribal and visually challenged education. ·      Empowering service leadership among youth through VTSeva clubs in ISD schools. ·      Engaging in environmental protection efforts through park cleanups, seeds for tomorrow and natural farming workshops ·      Raising breast cancer awareness through community walkathons. ·      Volunteering at Senior citizen hospice centers. ·      Gratitude activities for our frontline Heroes (disabled American veterans, Fire fighters, Police) Disaster relief activities - supporting local food pantries monthly like roundrock area service center and Renold McDonalds Home of charities, central texas food bank. VTSeva Coorporate activities employees engagements . 1.    Forget me not -Blue flower for Disabled American veterans 2.    BirthdayCards for the Senior citizens at hospice care. 3.    Birthday Cards for our fearless Fire Fighters. And many more. VTSeva Austin Supports TSBVI efforts and doing its part to build a listening space at TSBVI library to empower the visually impaired and enhance their learning skills. Our volunteers and donors are impacting the local organizations like Roundrock service area center, Renaold Mc Donalds Home of charities, City of Cedar park with their monthly services. India Impact : To mention few 100% Pass Rate in academics . First visually challenged Robotics team to win championship award aganist visual team. Para olympics winners National Men Cricket Champions World Women Cricket Champions and more.... Causes you can choose : Education : Educate a Visually challenged Sports Education for Visually challenegd Special Needs for Blind and Visually challenged kids. Support Health Insurance. Feeding Hope - Provide Nourishing meals for the visually challenged and underprivileged. You can sponsor the meals on your special occassions and we ill send the pictures and beautiful thank you messages from our students. Get Involved: Join us in making a difference! Learn more about volunteering, sponsorship, or partnership opportunities at www.vtsworld.org. Connect with us on social media: LinkedIn: VTSeva Austin Facebook: VTSeva Austin   Instagram: @vtseva-austin

VT Seva is organizing a soccer tournament, on June 29th, 2024 from 10:00 AM in Total Sports Novi East. Proceeds from this tournament will go to schools in India for visually challenged children. VT Seva supports Schools for the visually challenged in India such as Nethra Vidyalaya. These schools provide higher education to visually challenged students and enable them to be independent and compete with other students. VT Seva Detroit is conducting its 5th Annual Soccer Tournament this summer. All the proceeds go to VT Seva supported Schools for the Blind Date:    June 29th, 2024 from 10:00 AM EST Venue: Total Sports Novi EAST 41550 Grand River Ave, Novi, MI 48375 Registration link: https://form.123formbuilder.com/6642889/vt-seva-detroit-soccer-2024 Three different age groups to play in: ¨      Group 1 : Age 6 yrs. to 9 yrs. ¨      Group 2 : Age 10 yrs. to 12 yrs. ¨      Group 3 : Age 13 yrs. and above Come join us and play for the cause! VTSEVA SOCCER TOURNAMENT LIABILITY WAIVER FORM Participant Waiver & Liability Agreement I understand that there are risks associated with playing all sports and field related activities. In consideration for the privilege to use the Novi Total Sports facility and/or attend the VT SEVA Soccer tournament, my participation indicates that I assume the risk of any injuries that myself or my children/wards may sustain while participating in any VT SEVA organized sports activity and for any injuries which myself or my children/wards may sustain while on the premises of Total Sports, Novi. I assure that I am, or my child is physically and mentally able to participate in physical activities and have been examined by a licensed medical physician within one (1) year prior to attending this clinic/camp. By registering for the tournament, I am signing this Waiver and Liability Agreement. I acknowledge that I HAVE READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO ALL OF ITS TERMS AND CONDITIONS INCLUDING PERMISION TO TREAT AGREEMENT. I further state that I have executed this waiver and liability voluntarily and with full knowledge of its significance to be binding on my, my heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns. ___Signature assumed automatically if you register_______ Participant’s Signature (Parent/Guardian if under 18)

By: Sriteja Kataru, Co-President, VT Seva Bay Area. "In a world where mental health is often overlooked, every step towards awareness and understanding is a stride towards a more compassionate and resilient society." On a beautiful weekend at Lake Elizabeth in Fremont, California, VT Seva organized its 3rd Mental Health Awareness Walkathon, which turned out to be a resounding success. The event brought together a diverse group of around 175 enthusiastic participants, ranging from energetic 5-year-old children to spirited 70-year-old grandparents, all united in their commitment to promoting mental health awareness. The tranquil waters of Lake Elizabeth provided a perfect backdrop for the walkathon, with temperate weather and clear skies adding to the event's charm. At 9 am sharp, the walkathon kicked off with a bang, as participants joined in a 10-minute energetic warm-up session led by the dynamic instructor Chakri, moving to the beats of lively Bollywood songs. The participants competed in three categories: Adult Men, Adult Women, and teens, each determined to win medals and showcase their dedication to the cause. As they walked along the picturesque trails surrounding the lake, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of camaraderie, purpose, and a shared commitment to promoting mental well-being. After the walkathon, participants gathered in the lakeside picnic area to listen to expert speakers. The first speaker was Dr. Reena Trivedi, MD, a renowned child and adolescent psychiatrist. Dr. Trivedi, a leading voice in pediatric mental wellness, shared practical advice for teenagers and parents, focusing on early warning signs of anxiety, developing resilience to deal with setbacks, and everyday practices to create a mentally healthy home environment. Following Dr. Trivedi's insightful talk, Ashwini Surpur, a yoga therapist and the Executive Director of Yoga Bharati Academy, took the stage. Ashwini's talk perfectly complemented Dr. Trivedi's, as she discussed how yoga therapy can be an effective antidote to anxiety and depression. Drawing from Lisa Miller's book "The Spiritual Child," Ashwini shared cutting-edge research and anecdotal evidence to illustrate the invaluable role of spirituality in a child's mental and physical health. She provided parents with concrete ways to develop and encourage their children's and their own well-being. Our VT Seva branch director, Archana Bindu, presented plaques and gift bags to the speakers as a gesture of gratitude for their valuable contributions to the event. The success of the walkathon is a nod to the dedication and leadership of the VT Seva Youth Leaders who meticulously planned and executed the event. Parth and I, the two co-presidents, served as the MCs and cheerleaders, motivating and encouraging the walkathon participants throughout the event. Thanisha Kapur and Nidhi Parthasarathy played crucial roles in overseeing the setup and introducing the esteemed speakers. The concluding ceremony was a joyous affair, with CA Assemblyman Alex Lee’s rep Matthew Jorgens distributing medals to the walkathon winners amidst a jubilant crowd, their mood elevated by the 4.2-mile walkathon. The event not only raised awareness about mental health but also succeeded in raising more than $6,000. These funds will support the well-being of over 20 underprivileged children for an entire year, making a significant impact on their lives and the community as a whole. VT Seva's 3rd Mental Health Awareness Walkathon not only brought the local community together but also provided a platform for experts to share valuable insights and strategies for promoting mental well-being. The event's success serves as a testament to the power of community engagement and the importance of addressing mental health issues head-on. As participants left Lake Elizabeth that day, they carried with them a renewed sense of purpose, a stronger connection to their community, and the knowledge that their efforts had made a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Finally, as a cherry on the top, Mr. Jorgens presented VT Seva Bay Area with a Certificate of Recognition from the California State Assembly, commending the dedicated efforts in organizing the annual walkathon to raise awareness about mental health and VT Seva’s work empowering people to serve their community.

“Communication works for those who work at it.” John Powell. VT Seva Detroit conducted the 7th Annual Public Speaking Workshop marked a significant milestone in the journey of empowering individuals to articulate their ideas with confidence and conviction. Hosted by Mr. Raju Brahmandhabheri, the expert Toastmaster and founder of Speaking Masters LLC., who continuously support Nethra Vidyalaya students’ education through VT Seva Detroit. On Mar 2, 2024, Online workshop has been conducted by Mr. Raju, students from different states were participated. A great interactive session with the youths. Participated students learned the techniques in delivering a good speech and presented their speech in the Farmington Hills Library on Mar 9, 2024 and received feedback from Mr. Raju. Thanks to our youth volunteers Adhip, Yathi & Kaustubh for giving a speech about VT Seva pillars to the participants and their families. Without volunteers, no event is possible, we would like to thank Ms. Priya Jaisankar, Mr. Srinath Babu Karnati, Ms. Architha Kramadhati, Mr. Sudheer Koppu, Mr. Suresh Rajan, Ms. Vanitha Gopalan, Ms. Asha Puranam and Mr. Jaisankar Kannan. VT Seva Detroit thank Mr. Chandrasekar for his continuous support and sponsoring the Public Speaking Workshop. It was one another successful public speaking workshop with the support of participants, parents, volunteers, sponsors and Speaking Master LLC. For more pictures, click here https://photos.app.goo.gl/NGg8zeTEQ6S78uRt8 Blog written by: Ms. Priya Jaisankar Blog Published by: Ms. Nandini Cheemalamarri

The National Women’s History Month’s theme for 2024 celebrates “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” The theme recognizes women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future. "Inspirational women have shaped our world." More than half of the VT Seva team members are women, and these women serve in various roles helping to fulfill our mission of being compassionate leaders and serving our communities. VT Seva is recognizing women serving across the branches in honor of Women's History Month. We hope you enjoy watching the video & their messages to know how some of our women leaders advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Happy Women's History Month to all the great women in the world! Dr. Aparna Tamirisa, VT Seva Vice President of Education & VT Seva Houston Director At VT Seva, we support equality, diversity, and inclusion by inviting ideas and collaboration to do better work. In supporting the American Heart Association and promoting National Wear Red Day, we are part of the movement for health equity in the realm of cardiovascular disease. In working with the Houston Council of the Blind, we support equity of opportunity and inclusiveness for the visually challenged in our community. Arathi, VT Seattle Communication Lead As VT Seva Seattle Secretary, I dive into youth initiatives and push for equity, diversity, and inclusion. Keeping the community in the loop through good communication (newsletters, blog posts, etc), I'm all about creating an inclusive, vibrant, and empowered future. Archana Bindu, VT Seva Bay Area Director I've helped create a more diverse and inclusive environment within our organization and a just environment where everyone's contributions are valued and respected. Archana Korlimarla, VT Seva Virginia Communication Lead Worked with youths to conduct free STEM programs and collected funds to provide free education for the underprivileged. Arthima, VT Seva Bay Area Secretary & Youth Director I have actively promoted equity, diversity, and inclusion by fostering an environment where all youth leads and volunteers feel seen, heard, and appreciated. By embracing diverse perspectives and championing equal opportunities, our volunteer efforts have contributed to creating a more inclusive community. Together, we've worked towards breaking down barriers and building a space where everyone's unique strengths are recognized and valued. Gayathri Makhija, VT Seva North New Jersey Communication Lead I made an impact by being kind, helpful, and supportive to my family members Friends, and colleagues! Harika Parvathareddy, VT Seva Atlanta Communication Lead I’ve led an organization that advocates diversity and inclusion during my university, we a group of woman engineers have created various events that teach young children from all races about the importance of STEM and education for equality. This foundational thinking has instilled the same ideology in me that VT Seva holds, especially in our events. Some diversity events I’ve been part of are, feeding the homeless, essential worker appreciation, and letters to less fortunate high school seniors. Kalyani Sanka, VT Seva Cary Director I advocate equity, diversity, and inclusion through varied volunteer activities. By engaging in diverse initiatives, we cultivate empathy, bridge communities, and amplify voices often unheard, fostering a more inclusive society Madhavi Donepudi, VT Seva Boston Director Being aware of diversity and respecting cultural values helps in a collaborative environment. Dr. Madhu Nemani, VT Seva Atlanta Director Atlanta VT Seva team welcomes all volunteers from various ethnic backgrounds to join volunteer work, provide equal opportunities to all, listen to their ideas, collaborate, and recognize their efforts. We have 11 VT Seva Youth Clubs in schools that are promoting this doctrine. Nanda Madadi, VT Seva Columbus Director By trying to include people who come forward to volunteer and treat them equally regardless of their background, like to include pick organizations regardless of the race or gender they cater to. Pranuti Kalidindi, VT Seva National Youth Director I encourage girls from a young age to strive for leadership roles and make their voices heard. I empower them to succeed by advocating for equity across all our youth leadership teams both locally and nationally. Priya Jaisankar, VT SevaNational Joint Secretary of Communication & VT Seva Detroit Outreach Coordinator Promotes VT Seva’s Mission & Vision by sharing all the accomplishments of our volunteers & students. Encourages high school clubs to include members from diverse backgrounds and create a more inclusive environment for youths to engage in community service to create an equitable community. Radha Chilkur, VT Seva Houston Communication Lead As a communications lead, I have encouraged various people to participate in the Vt Seva activities. Radhika Palukuri, VT Seva Charlotte Communication Lead My impact in advocating for equity, diversity, and inclusion lies in providing diverse perspectives, addressing bias, supporting accessibility, and encouraging learning and growth among youth volunteers. Through these efforts, I strive to contribute to a more equitable and inclusive society. Ramya Popuri, VT Seva Minneapolis Communication Lead I promote open dialogue within our organization and consistently advocate for transparency and empathy. By encouraging respect among members, I create an environment where everyone feels welcome and safe to share their diverse ideas. Santhi Kanumuri, VT Seva National Secretary As a woman in leadership, I actively champion women’s empowerment, inclusivity, and equity. This commitment has been demonstrated through workshops, mentoring sessions, and concerted efforts to dismantle societal stereotypes. I emphasize collaborative approaches, showcasing how women can effectively engage with diverse stakeholders and excel as negotiators. Satya, VT Seva Cary Communication Lead Treating everyone with respect listening to their ideas and valuing their contribution. Sobana Vasudevan, VT Seva Maryland Director VT Seva MD Team built a diversified volunteer group and as a Branch Director, I made sure to recognize, respect, and value different perspectives in our team. I have also made sure to provide equal opportunities to everyone and protect all our volunteers from being discriminated against. While working with our volunteers, I made sure to listen to each volunteer about their ideas and implement them wherever its possible. I am so proud of our volunteers' team and taking this quick moment to appreciate all our volunteers who roll up their sleeves, and participate in all our events with an empathic heart. EAST or WEST, VT Seva is the BEST!! Sridevi Ranga, VT Seva Chicago Director I've made a meaningful difference by championing fairness, diversity, and inclusivity. By planning volunteer events, I've opened doors for kids of various economic and cultural backgrounds, nurturing an environment where every voice is embraced, honored, and appreciated. Srivani T Kandalam, VT Seva Minneapolis Director As a director of Data and engineering at work, I lead a diverse team of folks from China, Turkey, Nepal, India, and America and I have to be fair and constructive with the feedback I share with my team. I have a diverse team, of folks from China, Turkey, Nepal, India, America, and Somalia we can deliver engineering excellence. Even in my volunteering experience, I meet volunteers and donors from diverse backgrounds and we all work towards a universal cause of making the world a better place! Sruthi Ranga, VT Seva Chicago Communication Lead In an English class project, I delivered a speech and wrote against banning books, showing how it silences diverse voices, aiming to create a school where everyone’s story is valued. Swetha Panuganti, VT Seva North New Jersey Director Encourage friends and youth volunteers to raise awareness about VT Seva. Lead efforts to establish a welcoming atmosphere, enabling all members to freely express their thoughts without fear of judgment. Acknowledge and appreciate the diverse contributions of everyone involved in the cause. Uma Rudraraju, VT Seva Austin Director Encouraging school clubs and enabling them to work with other diversifying clubs in schools. We have two schools with diversifying club members. Vanitha Gopalan, VT Seva National Joint Secretary of Special Program & VT Seva Detroit Volunteer Coordinator Championed appreciation events for Police Officers/Firefighters; Food drives & Fundraising events to help Detroit food pantries; the homeless & VT Seva causes.Conducted various activities at 35+ organizations in Detroit to help their needs & Foster inclusive & supportive communities from diverse backgrounds.

In the ever-evolving landscape of community service, VT Seva Detroit has stood as a beacon of hope and empowerment. Over the past year, we have embarked on a journey filled with dedication, compassion, and relentless determination to make a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve. Through our collective efforts and unwavering commitment, we have forged lasting connections within our communities. Thanks to our team of volunteers & supporters who participated in the events and made a significant difference in the local neighborhoods and the lives of Nethra Vidyalaya and Jeeyar Gurukulam students in India.

"In honor of the great philosophers of India and America—Swami Ramanuja, an 11th-century saint known for his unwavering commitment to equality, and Martin Luther King Jr., a 20th-century social reformer—VTSeva Austin is hosting an Equality Speech Contest on April 27th. Join us in celebrating their legacies and sharing your own perspectives on equality. Let your voice be heard in our quest to promote inclusivity and equity for all." We are happy to share the news that Feb 5th 2024 has been declared as “Equality Day” In Austin,TX by Austin Mayor Kirk Watson!! Students age 8 to 12 ( div 1) and ages 13 to 17 ( div 2) are invited to prepare and present a 2- 3 mt speech on one of the following topics: 1. Finding my voice 2. How can one practice equality in today's world? 3. My Hero  /  My Champion Registration ends Apr 10, 2024. You will receive an email on April 11th with all necessary details! The contest will be held on Apr 27th, 2023 from 10:00 am to 3 pm . Rubrics for judging: https://tinyurl.com/vtsevarubric FREE PUBLIC SPEAKING WORKSHOP FOR REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS: April 13th , 2 PM- 4 PM Trillium Montessori, 9707 Anderson Mill Rd #350, Austin, TX 78750 Limited registrations for each age category.. So huuuurrrry and register at the earliest

Dear Walkathon Participants, VT Seva Bay Area is excited to host the Annual Mental Health Awareness Walkathon event and looks forward to seeing you all. Please see the instructions below and reach out for any clarifications. Location: Lake Elizabeth Park, Sailway Dr Near 40000 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont, CA 94538 Check-in starts at 8:30 AM at Sailway Dr. Picnic Area C Walk/Run to begin between 9 AM to 9.15 AM Please show proof of email confirmation either as a printed copy or through mobile phone to receive the T-shirt/Jersey at the time of registration. Location Details Plenty of parking available on Sailway Dr at 8.30 AM Restrooms available inside the park Map of the park is available here Please bring a water bottle to keep yourself  hydrated Dress in layers, it's going to be a chilly start but it is warming up gradually Look for the balloon arch or Picnic Area C on the left of Sailway Dr People coming from Eastbay please check I-680 closure details and plan accordingly Lake Elizabeth trail is fairly flat, even ground. One loop around the lake takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, 2 loops to complete 5k. We will give first, second, and third place medals to adults and youth who complete 5K the fastest. Medals will be given out at the end of the event after our guest speakers have concluded their presentations and to be eligible for the medal, participants must be present at the start of the race. Every step matters! The VT Seva Mental Health and Wellbeing Walkathon is more than just an exercise. Your participation directly supports education for underprivileged and visually challenged kids, creating brighter futures. Thank you for walking together for a powerful cause! If you have questions, please reach out to us - Arthima Ronda - bayarea.secretary@vtsworld.org Archana Bindu - bayarea.director@vtsworld.org

On March 3rd, 2024, VT Seva Atlanta has organized ‘DIY Composting Webinar’. More than 50 youths attended this session and understood the science & art of composting. They learned various types of Composting - Hot Composting, Cold Compisting, Trench Composting, and Vermi Composting. They will make their own organic compost for the April Cool Seedling project!

Imagine a small school nestled in a remote forest area, surrounded by nature's tranquility but needing more resources for quality science education. Now, picture that same school equipped with a state-of-the-art science lab, bustling with curious minds conducting experiments and exploring the wonders of the universe. Thanks to the Amazon Grant program building the science lab in Jeeyar Gurukulam. In the realm of education, access to resources can make all the difference, particularly in subjects like science where hands-on learning is crucial. Beyond the immediate benefits to students and educators, the Amazon Grant program contributes to building a more sustainable future for the students in Jeeyar Gurukulam. By investing in science education, particularly in remote areas, it nurtures a new generation of innovators, researchers, and environmental stewards. As we look ahead, let us continue to support efforts to expand access to quality education for all of our students.

VT Seva believes in the power of collective action to bring a positive impact in developing the community and bringing change to society. Throughout the year, our dedicated team and volunteers have been actively engaged in various volunteering events aimed at making a tangible difference in the lives of others. Volunteering is not just about giving back; it's about creating meaningful connections, driving positive change, and building stronger, more resilient communities. In the 4th quarter of 2023, our volunteers participated in remarkable initiatives from volunteering in food banks, attending health webinars, and raising funds to support underprivileged visually challenged students’ education in India. In this blog, we're excited to share a recap of some of the remarkable volunteering initiatives we've undertaken. Youth Board Projects Outreach Project Salvation Army Bell Ringing Cancer Webinar Detroit Projects Motown Soup Kitchen RAAS Promotions Mercado Food Hub Club activities: Brilliant Detroit Christmas prep work Annual Event: RAAS We were busy with multiple activities in the 4th quarter with a special annual event RAAS. Below are our event details from this 4th quarter of the 2023 Outreach Project: "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲. 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫 – 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧." - 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐫. Our VT Seva Detroit Youth Board members have been participating in our 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 since 2020 to support underprivileged visually challenged students' education at 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐚 𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚. This year our youths 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 $𝟐𝟓,𝟎𝟎𝟎 and supported 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟔𝟖 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬' 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫. Thanks to all the donors and parents who encouraged the youths. "Those who stay will be champions" is the motto of Michigan's Football Team. All the youths who stayed in the Outreach program are our champions of education. Wonderful team leads who participated in this outreach project: Youth Volunteers:Oviya Jaisankar, Sai Sriram Karnati, Jishnu Kandalam, Varnika Jakka, Shruthi Adduri, Sathvik Tirumalakanduri, Ruthvi Ala, Anvika Perumalla, Shreya Shetty, Sneha Chandrasekar, Adhip Pisipati, Rakshan Samynathan, Kaustubh Dingari, Ridhi Manjunath, Swara Rege, Samhith E, Anirvin Ramanan, Rishi Chowdhury, Adithi Esrala, Nishant Sarma, Akshay Kumar, Abhi Mudeganti, Sreenika Perumalla, Kalki Renga Anand, Farhang Irani, Vahini M, Ishan Iyer, Mihita Lokesh, Sucheta Lokesh, Jayanth Batti, Vishnu Athreya & Swara Rege Adult Volunteer: Priya Jaisankar For more details: https://www.vtsworld.org/post/vt-seva-detroit-youth-board-outreach-2023 RAAS 2023 Promotions: VT Seva Detroit RaaS 23 promotions were organized at India grocers, Vani grocers, and Bathukamma events from October 5th to October 27th. It was a great awareness as well as a promotional campaign for the VT Seva Detroit RaaS event. With the help of Vani promotions, we raised money to support 2 students' education for a year. These are our volunteers who participated in these promotions. Youth Volunteers: Abishristi; Shruthi; Hrudya; Shraya; Samhith; Aarti; Kavi; Sai Sahasra Adult Volunteers: Durga Nalini, Vidya Anand, Sailaja, Pavani, Srinath Karnati, Suresh Rajan & Vanitha Gopalan These are our volunteers who participated in these promotional campaigns at India Grocers and Bathukomma events. Youth Volunteers: Sai Karnati, Hajanthan, Varshan Adult Volunteers: Srinath, Sudheer, Shrivardhan, Komathy Muhinthan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid0Eg19PhSNsoZRBe4LCPVrzRKPTQ8ujMefRiLuwRXivZWegtad4FSFMnu23vWxtjvVl Motown Soup Kitchen: VT Seva Detroit volunteer’s 1st volunteering event at Motown Soup. Thank A Time to Help Say Detroit for collaborating with VT Seva in this wonderful opportunity at Motown Soup. A volunteer-driven nonprofit, Motown Soup produces and sells products such as soup and dips to benefit nonprofits and community organizations that feed the homeless and hungry. Our volunteers did a fantastic job in packing more than 1000 soup and dry mixes and cleaning up the work areas. These products make a difference in the lives of the hungry and homeless throughout Michigan. These are our volunteers who participated in this event. Youth Volunteers: Hajanthan Muhinthan, Varshan Muhinthan, Kirupali Sathyanathan, Jishnu Kandalam, Amogh Mavatoor, Rishabh Mavatoor Adult Volunteers: Sathyanathan, Muhinthan, Vijay Kandalam, Vanitha Gopalan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid0EjpKerRNjj9bDoPASygV1E2Yejq91tJqW4i16XvLZxw8XTYgRRdV4ayyBLAtNt43l RAAS: VT Seva Detroit celebrated their 8th annual event RAAS to recognize their volunteers’ efforts in making a difference in the community. Entertained the audience with dance performances, music, and other cultural activities.  Many restaurants sponsored food for all the event attendees and volunteers. Volunteers who earned PVSA awards have been recognized on the stage. This event attracts a diverse audience and contributes to community building and cultural exchange. For more details https://www.vtsworld.org/post/vt-seva-detroit-8th-annual-raas-event-2023-1 Mercado Food Hub Volunteering: VT Seva Detroit volunteered at Mercado Food Hub on Dec 2nd, 2023 is to alleviate hunger among the families and is guided by belief in the dignity of all people, compassion and respect for all, and with a collaborative spirit and a community focus. 11 VT Seva Detroit volunteers (Youth and Adults) volunteered at the Mercado Food Hub in Detroit Ford Resource and Engagement Center and packed and distributed 8500 pounds of food to 69 families. It was indeed a fulfilling day to have helped 69 families with so many food supplies at Mercado. From the start to the end, our tireless volunteers were on the move, loading the carts with veggies, fruits, nuts, bread, milk, etc. We also organized milk cans, stacked the cartons, and cleaned the floor. These are the volunteers who participated, Youth Volunteers: Abishristi, Shreyas, Shraya, Amogh, Jishnu, Rishi, Rishabh Adult Volunteers: Suresh, Dharma, Vijay & Vanitha Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid024qQ5M7qKVaTr1EwTqDB7uersZ1oFnp2TSegjDZzuyF6qAnejfsf5zEBUAQEsHWbEl Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/p/C0ePrnxOsP5/?img_index=1 Troy High & Troy IAE led BD Garage Ready for Christmas: Troy High & Troy IAE had a successful event with Brilliant Detroit for their Christmas Giveaway Garage Cleanup in the McDougall Hunt Hub. Brilliant Detroit is dedicated to building kid-success families and neighborhoods where families with children 0-8 have what they need to be school-ready, healthy, and stable. With all the volunteers' help, we could clean and organize the garage and completely change the way it looks. Thank you to our adult volunteers who came last minute to support our event today. Youth Volunteers: Anvika Perumalla, Sreenika Perumalla, Ritvik Jillellamudi, Nishant Sharma, Anuraag Balaji, Sneha Chandrasekar, and Mithesh Govindaraja Adult Volunteers: Priya Jaisankar, Vijay Perumalla, Kannan Jaisnkar, and Srinivasaraju Chandrasekar Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/ofMeDy6XU9UJ7njr/?mibextid=WC7FNe Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/p/C0aH79FJjE6/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng== Salvation Army Bell Ringing: 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗝𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗: 𝗢𝘃𝗶𝘆𝗮 𝗝𝗮𝗶𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗮𝗿 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘:  𝟮𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗰 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟮𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗰 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 Each year, The Salvation Army will serve more than 25 million people across America – including many here in your community. That means 55+ million meals for the hungry, 10+ million nights of shelter for the homeless, and countless Christmas gifts for children who may otherwise go without. VTSEVA Detroit Youth Board participated in 2023 yet again to raise funds to help year-round impact in the community through social services assistance, homeless shelters, disaster relief, children’s programs, rehabilitation services, anti-human trafficking, and more. Thanks to all the youth and adult volunteers for participating in this fundraiser. Youth Volunteers Day 1: Oviya Jaisankar, Swara Rege, Rishi Harish, Shruthi Adduri, Sanjula Karunaraj Adult Volunteers Day 1: Komathy Muhinthan, Priya Jaisankar, Kavitha Karunaraj Youth Volunteers Day 2: Oviya Jaisankar, Hrudya Kishore, Sai Sri Ram Karnati, Kushi Kanumuri, Hajanthan, Varshan, Sriraam Hebbar Adult Volunteers Day 2: Srinath Babu Karnati, Komathy Muhinthan, Priya Jaisankar, Veena Hebbar Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid02RsHdTW8itbV73pFsMduH5r7sxpMFfjFNkhdpTB8E5N9ujtEsy769VM7T6T1gPtxcl Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C1WxAtROXUN/?img_index=1 Cancer Awareness Session: Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for about 10 million deaths annually. Cancer is a scary and complex disease but when detected early, it can be cured. There are a lot of steps that can be taken to prevent cancer. To bring awareness about the group of diseases termed Cancer, and the preventative steps that can be taken, VTSEVA Detroit organized a talk with the acclaimed physician, Dr.  Sri Yadlapalli, a VTSEVA Detroit youth board parent herself. Dr. Sri Yadlapalli is an MD who is currently working as a Hematologist and Oncologist at Trinity Hospital in Oakland. Dr. Sri Yadlapalli completed her residency at WSU/DMC and fellowship at Ascension Providence. Youths learned how to reduce cancer risk behaviors, the innovative developments in the field of cancer prevention, and simple lifestyle changes to reduce the chances. Video created by Shreya Shetty (VT Seva Detroit Youth Board) Blog written by Oviya Jaisankar (VT Seva Detroit Youth Board) Blog published by Nandini Cheemalamarri (VT Seva Detroit Communications)

"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give." -Winston Churchill As this wonderful quote says, we could make a life by giving a helping hand to the visually challenged and Tribal children with our generous donations. Our heartfelt thanks to the generous support of compassionate hearts throughout the year for the greater cause. VT Seva Detroit successfully celebrated the 8th Annual Cultural Event RAAS-2023 on November 4th, 2023. RAAS is our Annual Celebration event, culminating a great year of various fundraising activities and volunteering services to the community. A memorable evening with marvelous Entertainment & Sumptuous Dinner Some of the key highlights of the event: Raised funds for 342 Visually Challenged and Tribal students’ education. 450+ people attended. Sumptuous Dinner with Mesmerizing Entertainment First-ever game night & Electrifying Open-floor Dandiya dance to engage the audience. Special Thanks to all the Donors, Volunteers, Participants, Sponsors, Choreographers, and everyone for bringing great success to VTSEVA Detroit and keeping VTSEVA Detroit at the Top in service. Great things happen only when there is a gathering of great minds & kind hearts. VT Seva Detroit board acknowledged the year-long hard work of our dedicated volunteers and kind donors with an evening of music, dance, game, food, fun, and celebration. The evening event started with Mr. Srinath, Ms. Priya, and Ms. Vanitha welcoming the donors/volunteers. The event started around 5 pm with Deepa Prajwalana by Mr. Kishen, Ms. Sunitha, Mr. Madhavan, Mr. Sudheer, Mr. Srinath, Ms. Vanitha, and Ms. Priya. Ms. Priya introduced EMCEE coordinator Mr. Arvind, who mentored our youth EMCEE team. Mr. Aravind introduced the youth. The event was followed by Prayers from Prajna students, the American National Anthem by Shivani & Indian National Anthem by JET Michigan Prajna students. The Director of VT Seva Detroit, Mr. Srinath Babu Karnati, explained the impact that both Volunteers and Donors created in 2023 and thanked them for all the support they provided to VT Seva and the local community. VT Seva Detroit conducted 70+ events in 52 weeks in 2023 and is leading nationwide. VT Seva National Secretary Mr. Sudheer Koppu addressed the audience and thanked them. VT Seva National Youth Director and VT Seva Detroit Volunteer Coordinator Ms. Vanitha Gopalan talked about all the community service projects conducted in 2023 and thanked all the donors. VT Seva National Joint Secretary – Communications and VT Seva Detroit YB Outreach Coordinator Ms. Priya Jaisankar talked about Youth Board projects, including Outreach Project and Walkathon. Explained the projects conducted by 3 VT Seva High School Clubs, including the new high school club established in 2023. Thanked all the youth volunteers and High School Club teams. Please review the short video below on the key accomplishments. VT Seva Detroit Sports Coordinator Mr. Suresh Rajan talked about various sports activities conducted throughout the year and thanked the participants. VT Seva Detroit Digital library coordinator Ms. Asha Puranam explained about the Digital library project and thanked the contributors. VT Seva Detroit YB Director Ms. Nalini Aduri talked about Youth board Projects and thanked all the Youth volunteers, parents, and High School Club teams. VT Seva Youth Board Parent and Volunteer Ms. Kanchana Perumalla spoke about Troy High School club activities and shared her reflections as a parent on how VT Seva shaped the high school club board members as leaders in the High School Club. Youth EMCEES also shared presentations throughout the evening. 1.       Youth Empowerment Presentation - Oviya and Amogh 2.       Education Presentation - Sai & Abhi 3.       Health Care Presentation - Shreya & Veena 4.       Disaster Recovery Presentation - Shruthi & Kaustubh In 2023, VT Seva Detroit Youth Board did a fantastic job serving the community and environment by participating in many volunteering events and raising money to support 50+ students' education through various summer camps and fundraising projects. They celebrated their 4th anniversary and had a party for the senior sendoff. A recap of their achievements in 2023 are - 180+ Youth Volunteers - 18 Projects - 10 Youth-led Projects - 3 High School Clubs - 6 Environmental, 6 Community Service, 2 Health & 5 Education Projects - 1000+ volunteer hours - Raised $3600+ to support families impacted by cancer - Raised nearly $25,000 through an outreach program to support Nethra Vidyalaya student's education - Many students acquired leadership skills and felt confident Please watch the video below to see the summary of Detroit Youth Board's accomplishments in 2023 A few core members presented awards to all the performers and local volunteer team members. Rocking Dance and Awesome Vocal Performances: We had a gala of professional teams and local talent throughout the evening that rocked the stage from classical to Bollywood fusion. Thanks for the Goose Bump performances by Nrithyapooja Dance Academy - Classical Dance Usha's Kuchipudi Dance Academy - Classical Dance Usha's Kuchipudi Dance Academy - Classical Dance Rhythm Arts Dance Academy Junior Team - Bollywood Dance Nrithyalaya School of Bharatanatyam - Bollywood Dance Swaravedika - Girls Group Song Smruti's Dancing Mist - Bollywood Fusion Dance Rhythm Arts Dance Academy (Pre Teens-Team) - Bollywood RVD - Bhangra by Jagtar Sohal team Manzat Special - Youth volunteer Abhinav & Team (University of Michigan Students) Rhythm Arts Dance Academy - Adult Group Swaravedika - Boys Group Song VT Seva Detroit Team has introduced two new items this year. Game-time by Ms. Keerthi Dingari & Electrifying open-floor Dandiya dance to engage the audience. Mr. Srinath invited the PVSA and Jeeyar Award winners of 2022. Core members awarded them with medals and trophies. Congratulations to all PVSA and Jeeyar Award winners. No event is complete without delicious food and dance. After the dinner and other programs, the event concluded with an open-floor Dandiya Dance. Thanks to the bighearted local restaurants below for sponsoring delicious food. Thanks to Mr. Sudhakar Kolluri for the advice to the food department. Our dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly throughout the day to pick up food, load, unload, and set up the kitchen area to serve hot food for the RAAS attendees. Kudos to everyone engaged in the end-to-end process, and thanks to all the volunteers for their services. RAAS is the best example of this quote: "No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it." – H.E. Luccock. Congratulations to all of you for making our annual event a successful one👏👏 It would not have been possible to conduct such a successful event without such a large group of our AMAZING, DEDICATED, and ENTHUSIASTIC volunteers: All the below volunteers (adult and youth) did a terrific job in all the areas identified. Thanks to all the unsung supporters for this great cause. It would not have been possible to pull off such a HUGE event without your constant support and help. Our sincere appreciation and thanks to: NRIVA team, Bhavya's team, Detroit Telangana Club, and Destined for Greatness - Ford Wellness Center, President Shadora Ford for gracing the event. Shadora Ford for the Chrome book donation to the visually challenged student. This was one of the best events we ever had. Thanks to all event sponsors, donors, supporters, guests, and volunteers who helped make this event successful. Finally, many thanks to Mr. Srinath & Mr. Sudheer for your leadership. For more pictures, please check out this link, like and share https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.731383125691861&type=3 https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.731364542360386&type=3 https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.726999149463592&type=3 Watch the RAAS video recording https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid0aTy23kFfxANG8wcXY8FFtVkESqbj2syGzjnc6ndEm41MAbVeBUD4FnybAa89wgqVl Please go to our Facebook Page to 'Like' and 'Comment.' https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid0gagyXx4mvqPoSiaZXHFKrkSc2atDBW4mEwxRksUMchum2bNpudR1fbxtaiEsQNtKl For other events and activities from Detroit, please visit http://vtsworld.org/detroit Photos compiled by Teja and Arya Cheemalamarri (VT Seva Detroit YB members) THANK YOU SO MUCH, ALL! YOUR SUPPORT IS OUR STRENGTH TO SERVE Blog created and published by Nandini Cheemalamarri (VT Seva Detroit Communications Director)

"Communication is the human connection, which is the key to personal and career success.” – Paul J Meyer Public speaking has taken center stage in today’s education and career. All of us know the importance that communication plays in our daily lives. Please review the guidelines, competition topics, and rubric before registering

On Feb 17, 2024 with freezing cold temperatures in Atlanta, number of non-profit orgs came forward to help the homeless by providing food, dental kits, and toys to spread the kindness and warmth with the less fortunate ones. Atlanta VT Seva youths from lambert highschool with their President Srimayi also participated in this ‘Wellness’ event and gave more than 100 dental kits to the homeless families. Along with food and dental kits, homeless people were also provided a place to take shower along with onsite doctors assistance for any medical help. We are very proud of our Atlanta VT Seva youths for coming forward and serving the needy on this National Random Act of Kindness Day!

“If agriculture goes wrong, nothing else will have a chance to go right.” ― M. S. Swaminathan VTSeva Austin presents Workshop Series on Backyard Natural Farming - Food for body, mind, & soul This series is brought to you by Madapalli.org - A farm-to-temple-kitchen natural foods supply that empowers farmers. Objective: Learn directly from Natural Farming practitioners on how to grow natural foods in your backyard “It is impossible to have a healthy and sound society without a proper respect for the soil.” Workshop Series: This saturday workshop series will bring a handful of natural farming practitioners in India to share their transition to natural farming and how we can take small steps to grow natural foods in our backyard. Date : Feb 17th - Mar 16th Time : Saturday 8:00 am CST Zoom : https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82113745077?pwd=pxbB6lH2XjhsE0UXP7LRJ1aYbyyAE8.1 Meet the Natural Farmer: Raghu Venkat, Chief Product Officer of IppoPay & Innovative R&D leader who co-founded actyv.ai. Raghu worked around 14 years in US for leading big data analytics companies including Evive, OpTier, and Chicago Board of Options Exchange. He is highly passionate about natural farming and manages appx 6 acres of natural farmed land near Hosur, Bangalore. Raghu has an MS Computer Science from Illinois Institute of Technology and a B.Tech from IIT Madras. Session Mode: Online through Zoom. Register at the below link, we will email you the Zoom link two days before the session Celebrate your special occassion with us and empower the visually challenged and underpriviledged.

"Communication works for those who work at it .” – John Powell When communication is effective, it leaves everyone who is involved satisfied and feeling accomplished. By delivering messages clearly, there is no room for misunderstanding or alteration of messages, which decreases the potential for conflict. This is a crucial skill needed for every one of us. Youths are future leaders, leaders with good communication skills can clearly define their vision to inspire and empower the people around them. VT Seva has been providing an opportunity for our youth to get introduced to public speaking and communication skills to advance their skills for the last 6 years. VT Seva is collaborating with Speaking Masters and bringing another great opportunity this year as well! VT Seva is proud to announce the 7th Public Speaking Workshop presented by Speaking Masters. One one-day virtual work workshop will be organized on March 2 and a free in-person public speaking presentation (not a competition) for the registrants will be held on March 9th in Farmington Public Library. During the online workshop on March 2nd, the youth will be exposed to different aspects of public speaking like tone, vocal variety, how to avoid fillers, and many more by none other than one of the experts in public speaking and the founder of Speaking Masters, Mr. Raju Brahmandhabheri. This is a great opportunity for the youth to learn and refresh the nitty gritty of public speaking. The youth will also be provided an opportunity to practice what they learned on March 9th during the public speaking in-person presentation (not a competition). Out-of-state students and long-distance students can send a video recording of their presentations to get personalized feedback. Raju Brahmandhabheri is passionate about public speaking and communication skills and has been part of Toastmasters International (the platform to improve Public speaking and leadership skills) for the last 10 plus years and achieved the DTM(Distinguished Toastmasters) award- the highest educational award in the Toastmasters program. To pursue his passion for teaching public speaking and communication skills to youths, he founded Speaking Masters LLC, a public speaking and communication skills coaching institute, and has been teaching these skills to kids in grades: 3-12 for the past four years. He has been receiving 5-star ratings from both students and parents for his public speaking classes. He is a mentor for high school students to coach/advise/prepare them for the annual Leadership Speech Contest hosted by the National Management Association (NMA). He has also served as a judge on various speech contests at Toastmasters and community organization’s educational competitions (public speaking, spelling bee, etc.). By profession, he is an Electrical Engineer currently working as a Senior Regional Engineering Manager at ITC Holdings Corp., Novi, Michigan. What a great way to support others while becoming competent in the essential life skills of Public Speaking & Communication! Don't miss the opportunity to learn from the best by registering ASAP!

In a world where the language of robots, AI, and machine learning is the new frontier, a tale of unyielding determination, relentless grit, and unwavering commitment takes flight. These subjects, complex and intricate, pose a formidable challenge even to many conventional students. Yet, in this world of coding and robotics, a bold and audacious idea is born. The return of the FLL national competition in India after a long break kindles a spark of inspiration. Why not equip our visually challenged students of Netra Vidyalaya for this challenge? The task is monumental; teaching robotics to visually impaired children, nurturing their innovative ideas, and refining their presentation skills. But, a flame of confidence, fueled by past experiences of their indomitable will, burns bright. The journey begins with the blessing of VTSeva CEO, HH Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji. His thoughtful insights and unwavering support bolster the resolve. The flame spreads, igniting the passion of our subject matter experts and the dynamic teachers of Netra Vidyalaya. Doubt is absent; instead, electrifying energy fills the air as they embrace this ambitious goal. Within days, the teachers select the students who will be part of the FLL competition. They are introduced to FLL bricks, coding, and how to build a robot using Legos. For two months, they worked tirelessly to understand, design, test, rebuild, and make their innovative ideas work. They not only improve their skills in robotics but also get better at presenting their ideas eloquently in English. For the whole two months, all the students, teachers, and mentors worked together to turn these nine children into proud representatives who can stand tall on the national stage. They named their team ‘Thought Notch Robotica’. The two-day national competition in Goa sees participation from 350 teams from all over the country. Against all odds, the Netra Vidyalaya team did exceptionally well, showcasing their innovative idea of ‘Sudoku for Visually Challenged’ and their passion for ‘Cricket for Blind’. Their performance was outstanding, and the judges praised their effort. Their project caught everyone’s attention. They presented real solutions to the problems they face as visually challenged individuals. The Sudoku idea they presented is the first of its kind for the blind. They gave it their all and did just as planned. The result is a testament to their hard work - they won the ‘Champions Award’. The children, teachers, and mentors are overjoyed, all their hard work for two months has paid off. It’s not just about the win, but they gained much more - they get to see the world of robotics and stand on the national stage with special approval. The "Thought Notch Robotica" team is scheduled to present on Friday 4/19 from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM as part of the conference session. Our team is not competing in Houston. Many thanks to the FLL organizers for not only giving a chance to a completely visually challenged team but also not charging them an entry fee because they are a nonprofit organization. Special thanks to Mr. Chandra Polisetti (FLL 54520 and FRC 2976) from Seattle for being a mentor and guiding the team every step of the way, and also for getting his friend Mr. Siddarth from Vizag to help the team in person. Without their support, this would not have been possible. This victory would not have been possible without our Netra Vidyalaya teachers, they are the backbone of this win. Many thanks to our donors who believed in them to sponsor their education. This is a story of triumph, a story of overcoming odds, a story that inspires us all. This is an uplifting tale about seizing an idea, fully embracing it, and giving it your all. It’s a story that sparks inspiration. This is their story for all of us. "This is a moment that etches itself in our hearts, serving as a beacon of inspiration. There are days when we find ourselves in the labyrinth of life, seeking purpose and motivation to persevere against all odds. These children, with their humble backgrounds, and the teachers, devoid of luxuries, find their sole motivation in the triumph of these young souls. Let this narrative ignite a spark within us during those times when life seems to be an uphill battle. Let it remind us that even in the face of adversity, victory is possible. This is not just a story; it’s a testament to the indomitable human spirit." Please click here to support our Nethra Team: bit.ly/nethrateam

Atlanta VT Seva Team has launched a STEM Program for the Atlanta youths in which youths will come forward and ideate, research, & create prototypes in the field of science, engineering, technology, and mathematics. STEM program will ignite scientific temper and critical thinking in our youths! Atlanta VT Seva Team has launched a STEM Program on Feb 4, 2024 for the Atlanta youths in which youths will come forward and ideate, research, & create prototypes in the field of science, engineering, technology, and mathematics. STEM program will ignite scientific temper and critical thinking in our youths! It’s a year-round program in which we will connect 15 times a year to build STEM prototypes with the help of industry experts. In this project, youth will ideate & implement STEM projects. We want to build & implement projects in the areas of Science, Technology, and Engineering. Selected youths will participate in the Atlanta Science Festival in March 2024. Registration per student is $75 for year-long - 15 sessions in 2024. Register by Feb 10th, 2024, and participate in the Atlanta Science Festival in March 2024! Please register for this program, after reviewing the Code of Conduct & Waiver and Release of Liability in the above form. Registration will be complete when a parent signs the waiver and release of liability in the registration form VT Seva at the Science Festival in Georgia Tech Empowering our youths in this technological world is crucial to build Next Gen Leaders for VT Seva. At Atlanta VT Seva STEM program our goal is to integrate digital literacy and robotics to provide measurable outcomes in math, science, engineering, and technology. By emphasizing on cognitive and social skills which is required to thrive in the 21st century. Young VT Seva learners will brainstorm and build prototypes to solve problems, face challenges with flexibility, and handle change. Our first project is to take Atlanta youths to the ‘Atlanta Science Festival’ at GA Tech to have hands-on learning in STEM field. On March 9, 2024, they learned about aerospace, chemical, mechanical, bio-molecular, bio-tech, sustainable design and much more. This is our pilot project with 30 youth participants. Overall, it’s a very successful start to our STEM project and young inquisitive minds enjoyed visiting GA Tech and exploring plethora of options for their college journey!

VT Seva Houston is proud to present "Walking With the Beat" a month-long virtual walkathon aimed at promoting heart health and supporting the American Heart Association. This engaging event invites participants to embark on a collective journey towards improved well-being, combining the power of technology, physical activity, and charitable giving. Event Details: 1. Virtual Walkathon Experience: "Walking With the Beat" leverages modern technology through a dedicated mobile app. Participants download the app on February 2nd, transforming their smartphones into personal step trackers. The app not only records steps but also provides motivational content, health tips, and real-time event updates. 2. Kick-off on February 2nd: The journey begins on February 2nd as participants download the app and set personal goals for the month. This kick-off marks the commencement of a shared commitment to prioritizing physical activity and heart health. 3. Month-long Engagement: From February 2nd to March 2nd, participants are encouraged to stay active and log their daily steps using the app. The virtual community fosters a sense of camaraderie, offering support and encouragement as participants pursue their individual fitness goals. 4. Final Walkathon on March 2nd: The culmination of the event is a final walkathon on March 2nd. Participants, whether virtually or in small local groups, come together to celebrate their achievements and contribute to the larger cause of heart health awareness. 5. Charitable Impact: All proceeds generated from the walkathon will be directed towards the American Heart Association. By choosing this esteemed organization as the beneficiary, "Walking With the Beat" reinforces its commitment to fighting cardiovascular diseases and promoting overall heart health. How to Participate: - Register here to join the "Walking With the Beat" walkathon. - Download the official app on February 2nd to track your steps and stay connected. - Set personal walking goals, receive motivation from the app, and engage with the virtual community. - Participate in the final walkathon on March 2nd, either virtually or in local groups. "Walking With the Beat" is not just a walkathon; it's a holistic approach to well-being, community, and philanthropy. By embracing modern technology, fostering a supportive virtual community, and contributing to a vital cause, participants can take significant strides towards a healthier lifestyle while making a lasting impact in the fight against cardiovascular diseases. Join us on this empowering journey to heart health!

In the year 2023, our Nethra Vidyalaya students and Jeeyar Gurukulam students have achieved notable successes both academically and athletically reflecting their dedication and hard work in both areas. 𝑰𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐬, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭. 𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒔, 𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏'𝒔 𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎, 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒂, 𝒈𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒏 𝑰𝑩𝑺𝑨 𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒊𝒏 1𝒔𝒕 𝑲𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻-20 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝑵𝒆𝒑𝒂𝒍, 𝒓𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒊𝒏 6𝒕𝒉 𝑨𝒏𝒏𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆..... Kudos to all the students in both schools!!!! In 2024, they already start winning medals in the National Para Athletics Championship tournament. VT Seva wishes both our Nethra Vidyala & Tribal School students that 2024 brings them success in all their endeavors.

The 22nd Para Athletics Championship was conducted at Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) Athletic Stadium, Bambolim, Panaji, Goa from 10th to 13th Jan 2024. Our Nethra Vidyalaya students once again rocked in the Para Athletics Championship and won the medals T Santosh - t11- 400 mts Running -Silver O Jagan - T 11- Long Jump- Silver K Lalitha- T11- 400 mts Running -Silver K. Lalitha - T11- 200 mts Running - Bronze

On the occasion of 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒚, The Visually Challenged Employee Association (VCEA) in Andhra Pradesh, conducted the state-level Cricket Tournament for the visually challenged students from 01-02-2024 to 01-03-2024 at Anantapur with permission from CAB AP Cricket association blind in Andhra Pradesh. 8 teams participated in this tournament. These teams were divided into GROUP A and GROUP B. Each team played 3 league matches in knockout style. The team formed by our nethraites won the tournament !!! Nethra students in the Vizag Nethra Tiger team are: K. Gopalachari S. Manikanta L. Aditya V. Ravindra G. Surya Narayana The runners are the BOBBILI team.

January 23rd Birthday occasion at Netra Vidhyalaya Sponsored by Madhuji January 1st Krishna Guntaka and Atlanta team has donated $500 for all Nethra students on Jan 1, 2024. With generous contribution, all Nethra Vidyalaya students and tribal students of India were provided 3 meals on Jan 1st- breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This generosity is a beacon of hope for the young minds, empowering them to focus on their studies and dream of a brighter future. Here’s the link https://www.vtsworld.org/specialoccassion

Let’s fly ‘Random Act Of Kindness’ 🪁🪁 kites on this Makar Sankranti! Research shows that helping others can be good for our mental health. It reduces stress, improves our emotional well-being and even benefits our physical health. In short, doing good does you good. It's the small things in life that can make a big difference! Appreciation Calendars We are giving New Year Calendars along with a ‘Thank You’ card to all our donors as a token of appreciation. A Calendar will also given to business owners, temple priests, city council members, police officers, and youth club presidents to spread the VT Seva word out. This calendar is designed by our Atlanta youth! VT Seva South Forsyth youths started 2024 with Kindness & Creativity. On Jan 2, 2024, more than 40 youths participated in this craft activity in which they made creative bookmarks and painted inspirational messages on Kindness stones - this is a great giveaway to friends on New year!

“We rise by lifting others.”  - Robert G. Ingersoll VT Seva has always strived to help NethraVidyalaya students in India. This time the Youth in our community stepped up. On August 27, 2023, the International Academy East Board and the Troy High School board members from VTS clubs came together to organize their first-ever collaborative Tennis Tournament event. Through this tennis tournament, both schools encouraged young tennis players to embrace their talent while promoting good health and supporting the education of Netra Vidyalaya students in India. The two student-led groups put in work from July to August to arrange this event. Board members from these schools took charge of planning and organizing this event. There were many tasks that the student leaders had to complete for a successful event: Promoting the event, collaborating with the Troy Public Library (TPL), speaking with the sports administration, finding sponsors, and encouraging students to volunteer. Srihari initiated the event, he spoke with the sports administration at Troy High School, and booked the venue. Both school board members promoted the event through various avenues, placed flyers in various shops, shared on social media, distributed flyers to shoppers in front of shopping complexes, collaborated with the Troy Public Library (TPL), and many more. These young leaders found sponsors to support the event and encouraged club members to volunteer. Over a series of meetings, the student board members planned out which tasks needed to be prioritized and continued by dividing the tasks to complete them efficiently. Those who were working on the promotion of the event created a flyer which they posted on social media as well as hanging the flyers in public areas such as the Troy Racquet Club (TRC) and TPL. Some of the board members were also a part of the TPL board which allowed for significant promotion in the event along with additional volunteers. While planning this event, we realized how crucial it would be to find a sponsor who would help not only to set up the event but also provide extra funds to support students in India. To find a sponsor, the group decided to create a brochure to advertise the opportunity and reach out to coaches at local tennis facilities such as TRC. At first, it was a real struggle to get people to participate in the event. No matter how much we advertised, we still couldn’t get many kids to participate. It took a lot of hard work and perseverance to get those in our community to participate and send the message to others. Many of us took shifts standing in front of a Patel Brothers in Troy, handing out fliers, and talking to those who came in and out of the store about the event we were conducting. We handed out around 200 fliers and got many people not only interested in the event but our organization as a whole. We had an anonymous donor donate $100 even though they were not able to participate! This was a great example of how people in our community were willing to help in the cause we were so passionate about. For the next week, we continuously kept advertising the tournament whether it was posting about it on our social media every day, or hanging up more posters in places we worked such as LifeTime and Mathnasium. All this work finally paid off when August 27th rolled around. On the day of the event, 13 teams had been registered to participate! Before the event officially began, volunteers helped check in the registered players. As more players started to arrive, they warmed up together on the courts. After everyone had arrived, the tournament was ready to begin. It started with groups of four playing 3 games with each partner in the group and then reporting their score to a volunteer. This helped determine where players would be placed in the rest of their matches. After the matches were played in groups, the players would play with their partners in a bracket where the winners of each match would advance to the next round. These matches were played best out of three to win in that round. During all matches, parent volunteers were on the sides of the courts as judges so that fair calls would be made and there would not be any disagreements. Once all matches finished, winners were announced and they were awarded with trophies. Additionally, all players received certificates for their participation. Overall, we were very proud to announce that through both registration fees and sponsorships, we were able to support 6 students’ education. Our initial goal was to provide at least 2 students but we were able to triple our goal with the help of everyone in our community! It was truly an inspiration not only to the board members but also to the parents and youths who participated to see the direct effects of their work. Participants later mentioned to the board members how fulfilled they felt as they were able to help other students in our community. We can proudly say that everyone went home that day with a large smile on their face. Trophy or not, all the kids who contributed that day were true winners. Board members like to extend their appreciation to Troy High School, Sponsors, Participants, and Parents of Board members for helping the students identify sponsors and helping with the tournament, Varnika & Anuraag for reaching out to sponsors, Srihari for initiating the tournament & securing the venue, Venkat P from VT Seva Detroit for sponsoring trophies and helping with game, Eddie Lin for sponsoring water bottles and snacks, volunteers for setting up the game and refereeing the games,  HS Club Co-Ordinator Priya Jaisankar for guiding the whole event from the initial stage to successful tournament. Please click here for more pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/aiRfkgAQF99zDGS6A Blog Written By: Abhiram Mudeganti

Rotary is an international organization that is committed to solving big problems. For over 110 years, Rotary's volunteers have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, they are always working to better our world, and they stay committed to the end. Churchill High School in Livonia, Michigan has a Rotary Interact Club. This HS school club is mentored by the Livonia AM Rotary. VT Seva Detroit youth board members Harish & Oviya are a part of this Interact club. Together, they explained VT Seva's missions to Rotary's members, who were impressed by our Nethra Vidyalaya and Jeeyar Gurukulam Schools. Now, they've been supporting our causes for over 4 years! A huge thanks to Livonia AM Rotary & CHS Rotary Interact Club for their continuous support!

“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.” —Tommy Lasorda Our Nethra Vidyalaya students not only excel in their studies, but they are also superstars in sports. They've been raking in medals from the Asian Paralympics, Khelo India Para Games, IBSA Cricket tournament, and many more at both national and international levels. They are preparing for the 2024 National and International Paralympics, participated in the 6th Annual Paralympics held in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh States on Dec 23 - 24, 2023, and won 50+ medals in various sports. Determination and passion play crucial roles in achieving success in any endeavor, including sports. With focus, mental toughness, discipline, and enjoying the games our students win the games. Students who won the medals in Telangana State: 1. Kiran Kumar (T12): first place in 1500 meters run 2. Kavya( T12): first place in 1500meters run and second place in 100 and 400meters run 3. Shivani(T11): third place in 100 meters run and first place in 200meters run 4. Anusha( T12): first in 100meters run 6. Srilekha(T12): third place in 100 meters run 7. Balaji(T11): first place in 100 meters run 8. Rajendher (T11): first place in 100 meters run and second place in 400meters run 9.Raju (T11): third place in 100meters run 10. Ravi(T12): first place in 400 meters run and third place in 100 meters run 11. Krishnaiah (T12): second place in 400 meters run and first place in the long jump 12.Aravind (T12): third place in 400meters run 13.Preethi(T13) first place in 400meters run and long jump 14. Maheshwari (T12): first place in 200 meters run and long jump 15.Sravani(T13): first place in 200 16.Hamsika (F12): First place in javalin and Shotput 17. Ravi Kumar (F13) first place in javelin and (T13) 1500 meters run first place Thanks to our coaches in Netra Vidyalaya Junior and Degree College - Hyderabad K. Suresh Kumar 2. E. Balaram 3. M. Nagaraju Pictures from the Telangana Competition: Students who won the competition in Andhra Pradesh: T Santosh and S Dinesh won 100 mts and 400 mts running in the seniors category. Pictures from the Andhra Pradesh Competition: VT Seva wishes everyone to achieve new heights, break personal records, and experience the joy of competition.

With unwavering determination and skill, our Indian team conquered the field and made history by winning the series against Nepal in the FEDFINA Women’s T20 Bilateral Cricket Series for Blind 2023!! Far from the conventional cricket, we are accustomed to, this adaptive version of the sport not only showcases exceptional athletic prowess but also serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of women who play the game without the reliance on sight. The five-match T20 bilateral series between India and Nepal was played from December 11 to December 15 at Police Gymkhana Cricket Ground, Marine Lines West, Mumbai. 3 students V. Ravanni, Sandya & M. Satyavati from our Nethra Vidyalaya schools were part of our Indian team! India secured the first win by 8 runs in the first match on 12/11. The Indian team's score was 194/4. Ravanni scored 38 runs in it. Our team continued their success journey in their 2nd match on 12/12 with 149 runs. Nepal coming back in the third game on 12/13 denied India's Series win. India came back on the fourth T-20 and clinched the series 3-1 with one match to go. Ravanni scored 30 runs in this winning match! The India women’s cricket team interacted with the India Women’s Blind team after Day 1 of the opening Test against England on Thursday, December 14 at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Harmanpreet, who is also the brand ambassador for women’s cricket for the blind, Rajeshwari, and Jemimah congratulated the Indian team for the win over Nepal and also for their gold medal win in the IBSA World Games. Harmanpreet Kaur is the captain, Jemima Rodrigues is a great batsman, and Rajeshwari is a great bowler in the Indian Women's Cricket team. This meeting was an inspiration to our players. Please find Ravanni's interview here: https://thebrighterworld.com/detail/Ravani-Valasanainas-Inspiring-Journey-in-Blind-Cricket-Makes-History/NjE3MQ Ravani explained that the game relies heavily on sound, requiring intense focus. Ravani can only bowl after receiving approval from the wicketkeeper and the batter. Each run in the B1 category is counted as a double, adding an extra layer of complexity to the game. The victory of the Indian Blind Women's Cricket Team in the bilateral series against Nepal reflects their incredible talent, dedication, and perseverance. Additionally, the achievements of Satyavathi, Ravani, and Sandhya from Nethra Vidyalaya School are indeed commendable, making the school, our nation, and all their supporters extremely proud. Their success truly inspires and highlights the capabilities and spirit of determination within the visually challenged community.

My name is Sathvika Lanka, and I am currently in the 12th grade. I want to share the profound experiences and valuable life lessons I gained during my time with the VT Seva internship program. This journey has been an eye-opening adventure, allowing me to see the world through a different lens. One of the most enlightening aspects of my VT Seva internship was the opportunity to interact with children from Allampalli and Beersaipet schools. Their lives are a testament to finding happiness in simplicity. Despite facing numerous challenges, they radiated joy and taught me the art of contentment. Their unwavering discipline and adherence to schedules served as a valuable lesson in time management and dedication. My favorite experience was providing English tutoring to students aged 5-13. Focusing on phonics and grammar skills, I could see the enthusiasm in their eyes as they grasped the English language. Education was not just a means to acquire knowledge for these students; it was a beacon of hope which they embraced with open arms. As we engaged in English language games, I was consistently impressed by their strong command of the language. The students of Netra Vidhyalaya, with their visual impairments, inspired me profoundly. Their fearless pursuit of dreams showcased the power of determination. In their presence, I learned that no obstacle is insurmountable if we believe in ourselves and our aspirations. Their unwavering spirit became a guiding light for my journey towards achieving my dreams. Upon reflecting on my experience, I found inspiration in their unwavering passion for the arts and sports. Alongside fellow student volunteers, the idea of harnessing and showcasing their talents to the world took root. While each of them had their own YouTube channels, the collective effort could potentially amass hundreds of subscribers. This collective endeavor could be one means for us volunteers to raise funds during our annual events. Dr. Aparna Garu's session on Homeopathy and Mr. Nagarjuna Garu's presentation on Ayurvedic medicine preparation and cure methodologies left me captivated. These sessions opened my eyes to the wealth of traditional knowledge that exists within our culture. They instilled in me a curiosity to explore holistic healing methods and appreciate the ancient wisdom passed down through generations. Beyond the structured learning experiences, I had the privilege of visiting temples and engaging with other students like me. These interactions provided a unique opportunity to tap into the wisdom of elders and explore my spiritual side. The insights gained from these experiences deepened my understanding of our cultural heritage. In conclusion, my VT Seva internship has been an unforgettable journey filled with invaluable life lessons. It has opened my eyes to the beauty of simplicity, the power of determination, and the treasure trove of traditional knowledge. This experience has ignited a curiosity to explore alternative healing methods and a deeper connection with my cultural roots. I am eager to share my newfound wisdom with my peers and fellow youth volunteers at VT Seva. This journey has been transformational, and I am grateful to all who made it possible.

I'm Srinivas Tirunagari, a 10th-grade student from Cary, North Carolina. I've been a dedicated VTSeva volunteer since I was five years old. Curious about the organization's impact, I decided to join the VTSeva internship to understand its accomplishments better. During my internship, I had the opportunity to visit Nethra Vidyalaya, a school for the visually challenged. Witnessing the tangible results of VTSeva's donations was eye-opening. I learned that the school empowers students to be independent, enabling them to pursue ambitious goals like becoming lawyers, government workers, and professionals in various fields In Hyderabad, I had the privilege of meeting notable figures who were supporting the cause. Shashi Preetam, an acclaimed music producer, was working on a music studio for visually challenged students, and Gopichand, a former Indian badminton player, organized badminton classes for the visually impaired. Deependra Mohan, a respected advocate for the blind, recognized the impact of Nethra Vidyalaya in empowering blind students. These accomplished individuals selflessly contributed to the student's development. At Jeeyer Gurukulams, I experienced a transformative journey. Immersed in the secluded village of Allampally, my fellow interns and I became teachers and students. The children's eagerness to learn, even pushing to extend classes, left a profound impression on me. These students aimed high, aspiring for government jobs and returning to improve their village. My team and I engaged with the students beyond academics, bonding over games and conversations. We discovered the students' collective desire to uplift their village and country. Their aspirations ranged from government roles to community improvement. Interacting with elders, leaders, and a graduate, Jyothi Sister, revealed the impact of VTSeva's contributions. The village had transformed due to initiatives like Jeeyer Gurukulam, enabled by donations from VTSeva. Jyothi Sister's testimony highlighted the school's role in providing opportunities that elevated students beyond low-paying jobs. Reflecting on my experience, I recognized VTSeva's overarching role in providing opportunities. The organization's support extended to building schools, offering resources, housing, education, and stability. Crucially, VTSeva granted these students a chance, enabling them to chase their dreams. I realized that the heart of VTSeva's efforts was to provide a chance for underprivileged students to thrive. In summary, my internship experience with VTSeva was transformative. I witnessed the impact of the organization's contributions firsthand, from empowering visually challenged students to facilitating village transformation. Through the dedication of accomplished individuals and the efforts of VTSeva, students were given the chance to dream big and achieve their goals.

Khelo India Para Games 2023 is being organized from 10th -17th December 2023 across 3 venues in the city of Delhi across 7 sports Disciplines (Para Archery, Par Athletics, Para-Badminton, Para Table Tennis, Para Powerlifting, CP Football, Para Shooting) with the approximate participation of 1400 athletes from 36 states & union territories. This is the first time, a multi-sport para-athlete event at the National level is taking place in the country. Once again our stellar students  K. Lalitha, T. Santosh, and O. Jagan from Netra Vidyalaya exhibited their talent and won 4 medals in this multi-sport-para-athlete event at the National level. This reflects their dedication and hard work. Congratulations to our winners!!! K.Lalitha's felicitation followed her Silver Medal in the 400 meters running: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajDImfcPui8&t=32092s ----------------------------------- O.Jagan's felicitation followed his bronze medal in the long jump: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajDImfcPui8&t=33633s ----------------------------------- T.Santosh's felicitation followed his silver medal in the 400 meters running: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajDImfcPui8&t=25934s ----------------------------------- Watch Full Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajDImfcPui8

Feb 11, 2024 Atlanta VT Seva youths had a great day on Feb 11, 2024 with the seniors of Phoenix Assisted living. Our youths played bingo games, listened to their stories, made them laugh, and played kick ball & ballon throws with them. It’s a gratifying and fulfilling experience for us today! Dec 3,2023 On December 3, 2023 Atlanta's VT Seva youth & adult volunteers, visited senior living home. A team of enthusiastic youth volunteers spread holiday cheer and spend meaningful time with the senior citizens. The agenda centered around engaging the seniors in various activities, fostering a joyous atmosphere in celebration of the holiday season. During the visit, the VT Seva youths engaged the senior citizens in lively bingo games, offering companionship and building relationships. A delightful musical presentation followed, featuring renditions of festive tunes such as "Jingle Bell" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," performed by the youthful ensemble. Additionally, our youth played the piano, keyboard, and saxophone, and created a medley of holiday compositions. Expressing their heartfelt sentiments, the volunteers distributed thank you cards, happy holiday cards, and bookmarks, extending warm wishes and appreciation to the seniors and staff for the enjoyable and meaningful time spent together. It was a gratifying event for the VT Seva Team!

VTS Charlotte is organizing a Table Tennis tournament, on Dec 16, 2023, from 09:30 AM in Elon Recreation Center. Proceeds from this tournament will go to schools in India for visually challenged children. VT Seva supports Schools for the Blind in India such as Nethra Vidyalaya. These schools provide higher education to visually challenged students and enable them to be independent and compete with other students. Please read the guidelines attached here:

VT Seva Founder & CEO Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji’s trip to the United States this past summer was no ordinary one – He traveled to 23 cities in less than 2 months and spoke to audiences across the United States. Swami Ji visited the length and breadth of the USA from July 2 – August 14, 2023! Equality, tolerance, service, and navigating challenges. These are amongst the world topics addressed by Swamiji. Interactive sessions with Swami Ji and youth were the highlight of every event. We start in Boston on July 8, 2023 - with an interactive session with the youth entitled, “Ask Us Anything.” Addressing an audience of 200 people, Sri Swamiji delivered a beautiful message on how equality in diversity is possible, very much like the parts of the body works in harmony to allow us to function wholly. Swamiji answered many questions asked by youth on varied topics from the Bhagavad Gita to practical life advice. Swamiji encouraged all to take the initiative in serving the community. On July 14, 2023, the Embrace Equality event in Detroit was conducted by Jeeyar Educational Trust and VT Seva. There was an interactive youth session "Find your answers" with over 700 attendees. Swamiji spoke about the importance of an inclusive and harmonious society with moral values and encouraged all participants to follow the path of righteousness, equality, and selfless service. Youth members of the community came forward to ask questions which Swamiji answered in great detail. The event was attended by Senator Jim Runestad Representing Michigan's 23rd Senate District and Community Leaders from over 30 organizations. On July 17, 2023, VT Seva and JET Cary conducted a youth interactive session during their annual event Sadaya. With 750 people in attendance, the audience was inspired to service for the greater good. Distinguished community leaders and nonprofit organization team members graced the occasion. Mark Stohlman, Past Mayor, and Steve Rao, Council Member, Town of Morrisville, NC attended the event. Members of the Apex Police Department, FS Series Coordinator, Meals on Wheels Durham, Diaper Bank of NC, and Durham Rescue Mission were also in attendance. On July 19, 2023, Atlanta conducted their program with an audience of 600 attendees. With great excitement, they welcomed VT Seva founder and Humanitarian Leader and Padma Bhushan Awardee Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji. The youth designed several booths and presented their annual service projects and innovative creations. Five VT Seva High School youth clubs displayed their year-round club activities. Swamiji delivered a discourse entitled “Path of Compassion: Exploring Spirituality & Social Service” which was very enlightening and inspiring. On July 23, 2023, the VT Seva Bay Area Chapter conducted a Discourse on Techniques for Stress Management with 800 people in attendance. Dignitaries at the event were Head supervisors from Second Harvest Silicon Valley, Valley Water District, and FCSN. On July 29, 2023, Seattle conducted “Ask Me Anything - Youth Edition”. With 600 people in attendance, Swamiji answered questions submitted by the youth on a wide range of topics, from dealing with stress and peer pressure to addressing discrimination in society and promoting religious tolerance. Dignitaries in attendance included the Consulate General of India from San Francisco, Dr. T.V. Nagendra Prasad, Senator Manka Dhingra, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (Virtually), Bellevue City officials, and Issaquah City officials. On August 6, 2023, Houston conducted the Prajna and VT Seva Youth Meet. With over 300 people in attendance, Prajna youth and VT Seva youth volunteers gathered for Swamiji's message to the next generation – to widen the horizon of volunteerism with exemplary service and to continue learning where there is an opportunity and experience. On August 7, San Antonio conducted an event with over 500 in attendance. Mayor Ron Nirenberg graciously attended the event and proclaimed August 7 as a Day of Service in San Antonio. Swamiji unveiled San Antonio’s annual event under the banner Spoorthi. On August 8, 2023, Swamiji visited and toured the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI). TSBVI shares a great partnership with VT Seva Austin, currently working towards creating an innovative "Real Voice" audiobook listening space for students. The dedicated VT Seva student volunteer force has helped complete the project of recording over 100 books. VT Seva obtained a General Motors grant of $20,000 and design assistance towards the completion of this exquisite listening space! VT Seva also contributed $30,000 to TSBVI, and Swamiji encourages continued collaboration between both organizations and their students. This goes to show what a driving force we can be when working together for the long-term benefit of our communities. On August 12, 2023, Dallas had its event entitled “Celebration of Service and Spirituality”. With 600 people in attendance, it was a day marked by inspiring tales of VT Seva youth leadership. The event featured captivating narratives from Allampalli (where VT Seva supports a school for tribal communities), offering a mesmerizing journey of music and dance and providing insights into the secluded woods of Adilabad. The audience was spellbound by the "Allampalli Diaries" Mr. Krishna Kanth, VT Seva advisor, shared the inspirational story of Lalitha, a visually challenged youngster studying at Nethra Vidyalaya, on how she made her journey from a tribal village to becoming a world-class athlete. During the event, based on the firsthand experiences of interns, identified volunteering and philanthropic initiatives were shared with everyone. The call to embrace this movement, contribute one's unique skills, and collaborate in the pursuit of a world illuminated by understanding and harmony was loud and clear. Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji graced the stage with a standing ovation from all the attendees for receiving the Padma Bhushan award from the President of India for his service to society for over 40 years. In his motivational message to the youth, Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, the visionary behind VT Seva, emphasized that the essence of life lies in "sharing.” During Swamiji’s visit, many of the VT Seva branches throughout the United States had presentation ceremonies of the President's Volunteer Service Award to volunteers demonstrating exemplary service, a true testament to the dedication to service! Swamiji's visit schedule can be accessed here https://www.vtsworld.org/post/hh-sri-chinna-jeeyar-swamiji-s-2023-visit-to-usa

We, the Atlanta VT Seva team, empower ourselves by empowering others. The joy is ours to see others in joy and happiness. We enjoy and cherish this volunteering journey the most and stay focused to our cause - “Serve All Beings As Service To God”. We give our best to all beings without expecting anything in return or worrying about the result of giving. All beings include animals, plants, humans, both animate and inanimate objects, water, air, earth, and our entire ecological system. We are ONE in thought, word, and action and embrace compassion, equality, diversity, and benevolence in volunteerism. We uphold the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, the World is One VT SEVA Family. Explore VT Seva Atlanta, Your One Stop Hub for Everything at https://linktr.ee/vtseva_atlanta Link to the Atlanta 2023 Newsletter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HnBRBWl7J0gIL4GV3sPqJAAsJ5I7UcKw/view

Positive world change is seldom achieved by one person; more often than not, amazing things happen when like-minded people are committed to a singular goal. Teamwork is the secret that makes common people achieve uncommon results. - Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha 32 young leaders had one common goal to be the reason for change in underprivileged students' lives. They came together to raise funds to support Nethra Vidyalaya and tribal school students' education. Together they raised enough money to support 64+ students' education for one whole year. 32 youth leaders raised more than $25,000 to support 68+ students' education with the help of 265 donors. Each student who participated in the 4th annual Outreach project learned about Nethra Vidyalaya & Tribal student's struggles and yet their passion and dedication led to them achieving an international level. Their dedication inspired these 31 youth leaders to do their best to support them. As it is Outreach, they reached out to new potential donors to raise awareness about the cause and to secure financial contributions. In this process, they learned various interpersonal skills and built relationships, engaged the community, enhanced their communication skills, and inspired people to contribute to the cause. Their success reflects not only the dedication and hard work of the students involved but also the support they received from the community. They've got donations from friends & family, small businesses, and other non-profit organizations like Rotary, Google Giving Campaign, school teachers, dance teachers, and many more. One of our youngest volunteers Adhip promoted outreach to the Robotics team and asked all his team members to be part of this project. Another youth volunteer Oviya reached out to Rotary and got a generous donation. Special thanks to Rotary for their continuous support of Outreach and their generous donation this year. Kudos to the parents of all these youth leaders for constantly motivating them and helping them identify the donors. Wonderful team leads who participated in this outreach project: Oviya Jaisankar, Sai Sriram Karnati, Jishnu Kandalam, Varnika Jakka, Shruthi Adduri, Sathvik Tirumalakanduri, Ruthvi Ala, Anvika Perumalla, Shreya Shetty, Sneha Chandrasekar, Adhip Pisipati, Rakshan Samynathan, Kaustubh Dingari, Ridhi Manjunath, Swara Rege, Samhith E, Anirvin Ramanan, Rishi Chowdhury, Adithi Esrala, Nishant Sarma, Akshay Kumar, Abhi Mudeganti, Sreenika Perumalla, Kalki Renga Anand, Farhang Irani, Vahini M, Ishan Iyer, Mihita Lokesh, Sucheta Lokesh, Jayanth Batti, Vishnu Athreya & Swara Rege These are the reflection messages from our team leads: Oviya Jaisankar: I am so glad to have participated in the Outreach Program once again this year. I'm really grateful to the Google Giving Campaign and both the Rotary Interact Club and Livonia AM Rotary Club for helping me support more than 14 students' education for a year. It felt amazing to be able to help these extremely talented students accomplish new things every day. Sai Sriram Karnati: Outreach was a great opportunity for me to expand my public speaking skills. I also felt very proud talking about the Many Major Achievements that these great Talented Students have accomplished. Thank you VT Seva for this Great opportunity. Jishnu Kandalam: As every year, the outreach project was a great initiative to be a part of. I was really happy to see all the people in my community willing to come and support this cause. This project made me expand my communication skills as I had to reach out to multiple people in my community and convince them to support this cause. I grew as a leader and as a team member and was very happy to see how I was able to help almost 3 kids get free education for 1 year. Shruthi Adduri: I think this was a very nice and impactful project for me to learn about and help others. I really enjoyed learning ways to reach out to people and how happy I was once I reached my goals for how many kids education I wanted to sponsor. Sathvik Tirumalakanduri: This fundraising event has been one of the most satisfying activities I have done this year. I know that the money collected will be put a great use and will help in building a bright future for the underprivileged and visually impaired children's education. Ruthvi Ala: First of all, I wanted to say I’m so proud of the VT Seva outreach group for raising money to support 50 students. One big takeaway was that I have to know who to ask. One of my robotics mentors told me it is important to know who, and when to ask someone. He also told me a lot of the people who are working on a cause very similar are very willing to donate. After I learned this small trick, I was able to raise money to support 3 students. For example, when I informed people about the cause, versus, when I texted my neighbor, who is working on a rural development program to inform her, she immediately donated. And like this, I reached out to many people. It felt great to know I was able to support 3 students for a year and I can’t wait to do this again next time! Anvika Perumalla: As every year, the outreach project was a great initiative to be a part of. I was really happy to see all the people in my community willing to come and support this cause. This project made me expand my communication skills as I had to reach out to multiple people in my community and convince them to support this cause. I grew as a leader and as a team member and was very happy to see how I was able to help almost 3 kids get free education for 1 year. Shreya Shetty: The outreach program was a very good opportunity for me as it helped me directly reach out to potential donors and inform them about the cause that VT Seva supports. It allowed me to directly impact the students that VT Seva supports and that was a huge motivation for me throughout this project. Sneha Chandrasekar: Every year, I am so surprised by the amount of people who are willing to reach out and help others, and I think the outreach project really showcases that people strive to find ways to help others. In fact, many of my own family friends that I had reached out to last year asked me if they could donate before I had even sent a message about it. It really makes me happy to know that I could help contribute to spreading the message about the tribal and blind students in India and being able to help them in any way. While my impact may have been small, I hope that it will encourage others to create their own impacts. Adhip Pisipati: It gave me a sense of fulfillment in encouraging my Robotics teammates to join the outreach program. The very fact that I am making a difference in the lives of the underprivileged gave me the strength to push my teams to do more in terms of outreach. I am so happy that I am part of this wonderful cause. Rakshan Samynathan: Fundraising for VT Seva was a fulfilling experience mobilizing support, spreading awareness, and witnessing the generosity of friends, family, and the community. Knowing that these efforts will contribute to the education of visually impaired kids at Nethra Vidyalaya is truly rewarding. Kaustubh Dingari: when I first started the outreach project, I noticed that many people were very reluctant to donate, unless they had a good speech. so I prepared a speech beforehand on paper and read that out to people. After three or four tries, my speech started working and I got a few donations. Ridhi Manjunath: I feel so proud to have the opportunity to help out with this project and raise money for this charity. I am happy I was able to raise money for at least 1 kid's education. The experience was amazing. Swara Rege: This was my first time participating in the VT Seva Outreach to support Nethra Vidyalaya. At first, I was hesitant to reach out to people for donations. However, once I got my first donation I got the confidence to reach out to family and close family friends and share information about Nethra Vidyalaya and the amazing work they have been doing to provide free education to underprivileged blind students in India. I feel very proud and satisfied that I got the opportunity to be part of this noble cause and was able to raise funds along with my fellow youth members to sponsor free education for a year for several kids. I look forward to participating in this event every year. Thank You, VT Seva! Samhith E: Assisting blind students has been a very rewarding experience, it teaches you how helping others is the same thing as helping yourself. How? Watching the bar fill up with donations lets you know that YOU are making a difference, and someone is very grateful for this. It lets you understand that someone out there is smiling just because YOU decided to stand up and make a difference. Overall, the experience of helping blind students has been a testament to the impact that small acts of kindness can have on the lives of others. Anirvin Ramanan: Supporting this fundraiser was a new experience for me and made me feel good as I was supporting a cause that would go towards giving blind students better lives. Rishi Chowdhury: I really liked doing the VT Seva Outreach project since it was my first time raising money to support one child's education Vahini M: This fundraiser was a rewarding experience and I'm glad I got to participate in it. Seeing all of the donations, some as little as $5, adding up to surpass our goal, was incredible and inspiring. Even though I wasn't able to raise as much money as I wanted, I'll take what I learned from this fundraiser and apply it to my next one. Blog written by: Priya Jaisankar

Vikasa Tarangini Hosts Mega Health Camp, Extends Vital Services to Over a Thousand in Sitanagaram, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh - November 21, 2023 In a noble endeavor to prioritize community health, Vikasa Tarangini, a prominent non-profit organization, orchestrated a day-long Mega Health Camp on November 21st, 2023, in Sitanagaram. The camp, which witnessed an overwhelming response, provided free health services to a remarkable 1122 individuals. A major highlight of the event was the comprehensive health screenings offered to women, with 372 benefiting from free cervical health examinations using VIA (Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid) tests. These screenings are instrumental in identifying abnormalities that, if left untreated, may escalate to cancer. The initiative was supported by VT Seva, with a corporate grant provided by the T-Mobile Foundation. The Mega Health Camp extended its reach beyond cervical health, offering an array of free health checkups and services. The summary report includes: Cervical and Breast Examinations: 372 General Checkup (Blood Pressure and Diabetes): 192 Eye Exams: 200 Cardiac (ECG) Tests: 98 Ear Exams: 58 Acupressure for Back Pain: 200 Dental Checkup: 50 The health awareness meeting preceding the screenings was presided over by Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, the founder of Vikasa Tarangini. The event saw esteemed guests, Mr. Dilli Rao, District Collector, and Mr. Kanthi Rana, Commissioner of Police for the NTR District, who commended the organization's dedication to community health. Addressing the gathering, Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji emphasized the significance of a healthy lifestyle and elaborated on the vision of Mahila Arogya Vikas. He underscored the importance of focusing on women's health, particularly cervical health screenings, combating societal stigma, and fostering awareness. Mr. Dilli Rao lauded Vikasa Tarangini's efforts, highlighting their outreach to over 25 lakh women in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana through vital examinations. Mr. Kanthi Rana urged everyone to prioritize their routine health checkups and not overlook them. Ms. Madhavi Ravindra, the Vikasa Tarangini Mahila Arogya Vikas Central Coordinator, expressed gratitude to Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji for motivating volunteers and outlining the meticulous planning involved in conducting the examinations. She acknowledged the participation of volunteers from Vijayawada, Vizag, and Vizianagaram, without whom the camp would not have been possible. The success of the Mega Health Camp was a collective effort, made possible through the participation and support of healthcare professionals, organizations, and volunteers. Noteworthy contributions came from Dr. Venkatappaiah, Dr. Sri Harsha, Dr. Parimala, Dr. Sireesham, Dr. Lakshmi Devi, Vamsi Heart Center, Deen Daya Sravan Foundation, Vijayawada Ravella Eye Hospital. The event garnered attention from various sectors, with the presence of Vikasa Tarangini AP President Mr. Varma, industrialist Mr. Gokaraju Gangaraju, Deputy Commissioner for Health Mr. Ravindranath, Sri Venkatacharya Swami, Sriman Raghunatha Swami, and Sriman Vithal Babu of Jeeyar Asram, who played pivotal roles in organizing this impactful health initiative. A couple of youth volunteers such as Srihitha actively volunteered in this camp that ran from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM without a break! For more images, please click here

VT Seva Atlanta team of youth and Adults collected 1500 lbs of non perishable vegetarian food items consisting of baked beans, corn, cranberry, yams, jelly, canned vegetables, pasta, rice, nuts, flour, cereals, snack bars etc. All the food items were donated to the Atlanta Food Bank on the occasion of Deepawali and PRADA:N 2023 for the homeless people of Atlanta. It’s a blessing to serve the underprivileged and spread the light of Volunteerism on this great day of Deepawali day, Nov 12, 2023.

VT Seva Atlanta youths did a special Halloween candy drive project this year to render a gift of gratitude to the US troops on the borders. VT Seva youths carried Halloween flyer printouts for Trick & Treating. They represented themselves as VT Seva Ambassadors and informed everyone that they are collecting candies for the cause - Donating it to the US troops on the borders who keep our nation safe. VT Seva youths have collected more than 1000 lbs of Candy which we donated to the Cumming Dental Dentist. Cummings Dental will ship all the candies to the US troops on the border. It’s a great way to share things & spread the holiday cheers with the US troops. Cumming Dental has donated $1000 which we donated to the blind / visually challenged kids of Nethra Vidyalaya in India.

My name is Rithika Lanka. During the summer of 2023, I participated in the second session of the VT SEVA Summer Internship where I was able to meet new people and experience another world. Reflecting on the internship, it was amazing to see the experiences that shaped the journey. The early yoga sessions started each day with an energetic start. The Saketha Rama temple visit deepened my understanding of history through the stories I heard about it when we visited all three floors of the temple. Meeting the students at Allampally School and Beersaipeta School was a heartwarming encounter that will forever stay in my heart. It was so engaging teaching the students various subjects due to their eagerness to learn and how smart they are. It was also a life-changing experience to see the tundas and their way of living. I also enjoyed meeting different people such as an elderly lady aged 108 years. I also met a graduate student of the school who shared her progress and success story and felt very happy to see how we are making a small impact on these students. Exploring JIMS and the science of homeopathy expanded my intellectual horizons, while going into Ayurvedic medicine added a layer of understanding about holistic healing. It was so interesting to see how psychology has an effect on medicine. As an aspiring doctor, it was so interesting to see these different types of remedies. The visit to the Statue of Equality and the 108 Divya Desams was also an amazing experience with being able to see the wonderful architecture and details put into all the idols and Sri Ramanuja Swamiji’s statue. During the time at Netra Vidyalaya, I learned about different talents such as singing, playing the flute, coding, etc. these students have. It was so inspirational to see them as they all stand out in one way or another. These students use their visual challenge as inspiration rather than an excuse. The students show determination to reach their goals and put so much effort into reaching them. Giving the students of Nethra Vidyalaya laptops on the final day of the internship was a truly fulfilling experience with how happy they were and how much of an impact we are making on the educational aspects of these students' lives. In summary, this internship has provided a web of experiences that have broadened my perspective. Each part of this journey has added to my understanding of life and changed my perspective on it. I learned so many new things that I know will stay with me for the rest of my life. It brought me out of my comfort zone with things such as meeting new people and trying new foods. Throughout this internship, the most important thing I learned was discipline, and I will forever remember the experiences I went through on this internship.

My name is Abhijay Singireddy, I'm a Senior at Hopewell Valley Central High School, Pennington, NJ, USA. I joined VTSeva in 2021 and since then have participated in countless volunteer activities. Community service is a passion for me and I always looking for ways to help the people around me. In my free time, I love to play basketball, sing, and hang out with my friends. Sharing experience from July 2022 summer internship camp. What Is The Internship About? Every year, VTSeva invites high school students around the globe to participate in the 2 week long “VT Youth Summer Internship Program" in India at VTSeva-sponsored schools for tribal and visually challenged students. Through this program, interns participate in cultural exchanges and teach at schools for the underprivileged by taking up several projects such as math, English, and various other topics including robotics, art, music, and sports. I was selected for the amazing opportunity in the summer of 2022 along with 14 other interns from various states in the USA. First Day at the Statue of Equality, Hyderabad, India The internship began at the Statue of Equality, Hyderabad, a 216-foot-tall statue of Sri Ramanujacharya. Nearby the statue, there is the JIMS homeopathy hospital and Netra Vidyalaya which is VTSeva’s college for the blind. ​I met up with the other 14 interns and got settled down. We went to the temple and HH Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji's kuteeram (hermitage) to receive his blessings before our 8-hour bus journey to Allampally. My Days In Allampally, Telangana, India When we arrived, we were greeted by the older male students who collected all of our bags for us and took them inside. The school has a large open grounds area that has space to play games such as coco, volleyball, and cricket. Then there are the guest and student dorms and lunch areas, along with a separate school building with two floors. I opted to teach the 10-grade kids, who were the oldest at the school. Their English skills were very impressive as they could easily converse with me and write inspiring essays about their ambitious dreams. The first half of the day was strictly academics but in the second half of the day, each student was allowed to choose an extracurricular activity that interested them. There was robotics, art, a Rubix cube, and music. I taught singing and dance. We decided to teach the children Kommuram Bheemudo from the film RRR, as the film was very popular, but mainly because the real Komuram Bheem came from the jungles in Allampally. Children, young and old, mastered these skills with ease as they had the passion and focus unmatched by any other children. Trip Highlight: Visiting the Thandas (Villages) One day we took a trip to the Thandas, or the villages where the children live. The houses we visited were built by the villagers themselves to support their basic, everyday needs. They are made of mud and sticks and consist of two rooms. When visiting the tandas, each student invited us to their house. They were so proud to show us how they lived and explained every facet of their lives. The students have shown us how to be grateful and thankful for what we have. Return To the Statue Of Equality Returning from Allampally, we spent a couple of days at the Statue. We woke up early the next morning and had our yoga class with HH Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji. Swamiji carefully helped all the interns personally with the positions. Additionally, we were invited to his kuteeram many times to talk about our experiences. Swamiji also taught us many spiritual lessons. We also toured the JIMS hospital where we learned about homeopathic medicine. Additionally, we visited the Netra Vidyalaya and learned about how blind students learn. Final Thoughts: I have been enlightened by some of the purest humans on Earth. They are untouched by the technology and politics that have taken over our world. They have intelligent, but clear minds full of thought and compassion. The students have respected me more than anyone else I have met and not only treated me as a teacher but as a friend, and a brother. Surrounded by the beautiful forest and underneath the clear blue sky, I learned the most powerful and inspiring lessons of my life.

#Boundless was all about celebrating how we continue to shatter barriers and flourish as an organization that empowers youth to become the unstoppable force of tomorrow. Through unity, our youth build bridges of compassion, defy boundaries, and sow seeds of lasting change. With 300+ attendees, we took an action-packed road trip across the country as we visited each branch to reminisce on their accomplishments from 2022. With fun trivia, shout-outs from our beneficiaries, and insightful interviews, #Boundless showcased how our VT Seva youth were profoundly selfless in the spirit of volunteerism. What makes our annual youth celebrations special is that they’re 100% driven by our dynamic youth leaders. The organizers, who poured their passions into making the event a reality, shared touching and insightful reflections. These individuals, the driving force behind the celebration, reminded us all that change starts from within, and it's the young hearts filled with passion that are lighting the way. Anya: Being part of the Boundless event was an amazing experience for me. I was able to work with an awesome team to put together an event that was watched by hundreds of people nationally. Also, it gave me a chance to connect with people from other branches and see what VT Seva is doing across the nation. Overall, it was a wonderful opportunity and I would love to work on similar future events! Anusha: Being part of Boundless was a beautiful and incredible opportunity that increased my love for VT Seva. Not only did I improve my marketing skills and public speaking, but I got to work with amazing people. I’m forever grateful for this event and the friends that I have made. It was so incredible to see what different branches were doing and the inspiration it gave to everyone. This event was honestly a great experience all throughout! Oviya: I really enjoyed the time with the #Boundless team spent creating scripts, videos, flyers, and many more since I got to be a part of a team of extremely creative and truly boundless youth. Overall, it was a great experience that I will remember for a lifetime and I am so grateful to the entire team as well as everyone who joined the event for making this event such a great success. Samved: The #Boundless team helped me go beyond my limits. Everyone on the team pushed each other to give their best work whether it was videos, scripts, or flyers. I loved being a part of this team and it was so much fun doing this with the rest of the team. I was not confident in speaking and not great at time management and organization, but being part of this team and co-hosting this event improved these important life-long skills. This was an amazing opportunity and was truly the experience of a lifetime. Shreyas: The #Boundless experience was amazing for me as it allowed me to engage with an amazing group of people from many places and get to know them. I learned many new things by leading such a large event and I am proud to say that it was a success. I am also grateful that I have the opportunity to serve those who are in need through VT Seva and the Boundless event itself. As we know VT Seva's volunteers are motivated by the organization's pillars to serve communities near and far. VT Seva grows because of the incredible opportunities we have connecting with our local beneficiaries, to whom we extend our heartfelt gratitude. Take a look at what our beneficiaries have to say about us. Our celebration wasn't just about looking back but also looking forward. Students who participated in our summer internship program with Netra Vidyalaya and the Jeeyar Gurukuls shared their experiences, highlighting how these opportunities transformed them into proactive change makers. Please take a look at the videos about their initiatives and their internship experiences. Initiatives By Youth: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLS8h--2_tYv4n3xR5cOUObW0k_JPKMM4T Summer Interns Experience: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLS8h--2_tYv7Lg3ueHDAl4sX9_0Ld-YRl #Boundless concluded with the culmination of the T-shirt Design Contest that invited youth across the country to design our next VT Seva t-shirts. Congratulations to the winning design and a huge thank you to everyone who participated! Design Won: Pre Event Blog: https://www.vtsworld.org/post/boundless-celebration-of-youth-s-accomplishments-2023 Event Recording: Thank You to all the branches that participated in our road trip: San Antonio, Houston, Austin, Dallas, Cary, Atlanta, North Jersey, New Jersey, Detroit, Chicago, Bay Area, Seattle Atlanta branch with the most participants won a book signed by VT Seva CEO Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swami Ji. Together, let us remain committed to nurturing and supporting youth volunteerism, for they are the architects of a world where empathy, compassion, and unity reign supreme. The time to embrace the unstoppable force of youth volunteerism is now. We’ll see you next year. Your #Boundless Youth Team Pranuti Kalidindi | Oviya Jaisankar | Anya Gadkari | Anusha Jonnalagadda | Shreyas Bharath | Sreeja Bhuma | Samved Gazzala | Dhatri Jonnalagadda

Amongst many services that VT Seva Atlanta volunteers believe that Women Health is one of the key focus area. After all, ‘When a woman is healthy and happy, her family can rise up to meet its purpose’. Thus, VT Seva team collaborated with Telangana Team on Bathukamma event on Oct 21st and launched ‘Women Empowerment’ initiative to assist our young women for physical, emotional, and financial well-being. Both teams came forward and organized Cancer awareness workshops, Walkathons, Health clinics, etc for the well-being of Atlanta women! VT Seva booth had face painting and Henna done at the event. 45 volunteers helped the booth and helped present VT Seva to over 300 people attending the event! VT Seva also sold plants during the event to help education for disabled kids in India. Volunteers walked around selling plants and putting out word for VT Seva. Back at the booth plants were also being sold, face painting was offered as well, volunteers painted whatever the kids asked for. Not only was face painting offered, but also henna was offered for everyone. Making beautiful and intricate designs was an attention grabber. The proceeds were also donated for a cause. In all this was an empowering event for VT Seva and the cause!

In an inspiring turn of events, today, on October 25th, Lalitha Killaka, a visually challenged athlete from a remote tribal area in India, emerged victorious at the Asian Para Games held in Hangzhou, China. She secured the silver medal in the fiercely competitive 1500-meter running event, bringing honor to her nation and earning a standing ovation from the world. Lalitha's incredible achievement is a testament to her sheer grit, determination, and hard work, and her journey to this historic moment is nothing short of remarkable. SRC: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1971146 In Lalitha's own words - "Before the race, I was confident that I would win the medal for my Nethra Vidyalaya and my country. This thought, along with memories of the encouragement throughout my journey from Nethra Vidyalaya, was on my mind while running the race. I owe the accomplishment to Swamiji's Daya (the compassion of Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji) and the support from you." From right to left ( Right - Lalitha's coach Mr. Rahul Balakrishna, Middle - Lalitha, Left Lalitha's guide runner Mr. Tabres Khan) Hailing from a tribal area where poverty was a constant companion, Lalitha and her family faced hardships that most can only imagine. They could not afford to have a meal of rice every day and relied on a single daily meal. Her parents K Borja and Chitamma farmers who have 4 children from Gummalakshmipuram Vizianagaram are daily wage workers in the fields, working tirelessly to make ends meet. Adding to their woes, their daughter Lalitha was born visually challenged. Lalitha commenced her educational journey at Netra Vidyalaya, Varija, in the fourth grade in 2013 and continued her studies there until her tenth-grade graduation in 2020. Currently, she is in her second year of studies at Netra Vidyalaya pursuing a degree. When she started her journey with school she was a very innocent girl who was not at all willing to stay back at school but now she has become a very strong aspirant lady with teaching and training of all her teachers. Amidst these challenging circumstances, Nethra Vidyalaya, the School and college for the Visually Challenged, founded by Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, played a pivotal role in Lalitha's life. This institution not only provided her with education but also offered boarding, meals, and the training required to hone her athletic skills from a young age. With the support of Nethra Vidyalaya, Lalitha was given a chance to dream, and she seized this opportunity with unshakable resolve. Lalitha exhibited an extraordinary blend of determination, passion, and talent. She excelled not only in her academics but also on the athletics field. Running became her passion, and she poured her heart and soul into it. Years of relentless training bore fruit as she began securing victories at the district, state, and national levels. With each win, her dreams grew bigger and brighter. Nethra Vidyalaya and VT Seva founder Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji expressed happiness and announced a prize money of 300,000 for Ms. Killaka Lalitha and 50,000 Indian rupees for her guide runner Mr. Tabres Khan. He said, 'A person is not disabled solely because of being physically handicapped. A person is considered disabled only if they lack mental resilience and the ability to overcome challenges. This fact was demonstrated by our Nethra Vidyalaya students in cricket a few months ago in England and is now exemplified by Lalitha in her running performance at the Asian Para Games held in China. We strongly believe that these accomplishments will inspire many youngsters to achieve greatness in their lives. Credit for these achievements goes to the supporters and donors from all over the world who are the fuel behind the fire for the excellence of Nethra Vidyalaya students.' The peak of her journey came when she earned the opportunity to represent India at the Asian Para Games. Lalitha's story transcended borders as she participated in the trials in Morocco, competing against some of the world's best para-athletes. Her unwavering dedication and training paid off as she secured her spot on the Indian team. Today, in Hangzhou, China, Lalitha's journey reached its zenith as she crossed the finish line in the 1500-meter running event, clinching the silver medal. Her victory was not only a personal triumph but also a victory for all those who supported her along the way. India, with its largest-ever contingent of 303 athletes, stands united in celebrating Lalitha's remarkable achievement. This victory is not only for India, with its 1.4 billion population but for the entire world. Her story is a shining example of what can be accomplished with determination, perseverance, and an unbreakable spirit. Lalitha Killaka, the girl who once struggled to have a meal each day, has now become an inspiration to all, proving that it is possible to rise above adversity and reach for the stars. Lalitha inspired many students and they started participating in various district, state level sports competitions. Lalitha and others were trained in New Delhi IBSA in 2017. Lalitha gets trained in various places and participates at different levels in all prestigious events. Para Sports Association Andhrapradesh selected Lalitha for training and has provided training for the past 2 years in Banglore. VT Seva has been a proud supporter of Nethra Vidyalaya since 2009. We thank each and every volunteer and donor of VT Seva for your support in making this possible. Your support is our strength to serve!

Over the third quarter of 2023 (July to September) VT Seva volunteers have made an astounding impact. Through participating in 13 projects overall, they have helped our community and beyond. Each of these projects were unique and allowed volunteers to help a noble cause. These projects ranged from cleaning up a road to hosting a volleyball and throwball tournament, to help their community and underprivileged and tribal students in India in many different ways. Below are the projects we have done from July to September this quarter: Youth Board Projects: Third Annual Walkathon - July 16 Tribute to Bharath - August 15 #Boundless Event - August 19 Tennis Tournament - August 27 Essential Workers Appreciation - September 4 Adopt a Road Clean-up - September 10 Car Wash - September 16 Detroit Projects: Food Gatherers - July 8 Packing Hygiene Kits - July 22 Fleece and Thank You - August 5 Clean Love Project - August 26 Volleyball and Throwball Tournament - September 16 Novi Fire Department Appreciation Lunch - September 30 Please click here for the video of all projects in 3rd quarter 7/8/2023 - Food Gatherers Volunteers sorted 810 pounds of food into good and bad produce during this event. They then packed this food into boxes and cleaned up the facility. This food was distributed to 150 organizations that supply different food pantries at Food Gatherers in Ann Arbor, MI. Youth Volunteers: Jishnu Kandalam, Aditi Jethri Kompally, Akshith Aswanth, Kushal Durga, Deekshitha Ravu, Shraya Ved, and Akshitha Narla Adult Volunteers: Vandana Durga, Vanitha Gopalan, Neha Ved, Ranga Rao Ravu, and Srinivas Narla For more info, please visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid031QzdWj4M99inMZKCUViFPJ9GYmNwSvvfMPnTvxT4NknvWpeLgdPbuDSF3D33NV2el 7/16/2023 - Walkathon This annual walkathon supported Angels of Hope, a family cancer foundation that supports Michigan families affected by cancer, and it lasted 30 days, from June 16 to July 16, 2023. With 213 participants, our 43 teams walked for more than 7700 hours and raised more than $3600. For more info, please visit our Blog https://www.vtsworld.org/post/vt-seva-detroit-youth-board-third-annual-walkathon?fbclid=IwAR2U_mMltkNXZZKslsMilkfdQJmdVZJjYc_LFN_EfT_o1XWupOpssnosPy8 7/22/2023 - Packing Hygiene Kits On July 22nd, our volunteers helped pack dental care kits at Say Detroit and Detroit Goodfellows for Detroit school children. We packed more than 4,000 dental care kits in just 3 hours, with another 4,000 clear plastic bags also prepped by our volunteers. Say Detroit has even published an article mentioning VT Seva Detroit to appreciate our volunteers' efforts during this event. Youth Volunteers: Hajanthan, Varshan, Akshitha, Saisha, Shruthi, Kirupali, and Sanjith Adult Volunteers: Suresh Rajan, Komathy Muhinthan, Srinivas Narla, Srivatsan Santhanam, Durga Nalini, Vijayakumar, Sathyanathan Vilvanathan, and Vanitha Gopalan For more info, please visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid035LowXNZ2SC9qy71gqmaFSNjFrJDumsxq47YVCd1T1MEBPcYhtRWC6VQz23YUYkwFl 8/5/2023 - Fleece and Thank You Detroit Volunteers helped make over 150 blankets for children in Michigan hospitals who are facing long-term stays. The goal of Fleece and Thank You is to provide every child in Michigan hospitals with a warm blanket and a message from its maker. VT Seva helped by doing their part in this goal. Youth Volunteers: Shravya Ved, Kirupali Sathyanathan, Shreya Srivatsan, Saisha Srivatsan, Eashan Daram, Niran Daram, Amogh Mavatoor, Rishabh Mavatoor, Sanjith Vijayakumar, and Shruthi Adduri Adult Volunteers: Suresh Rajan, Neha Ved, Vijayakumar, Manisha Daram, Sathyanathan Vilvanathan, and Vanitha Gopalan For more info, please visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid0t9238xHyBLshwmAafaZT2p1t9dUfJ9Z9gXjzfAitb9YrV6xXYtKFom6aPDWsvR8Nl 8/15/2023 - Tribute to Bharath For this project, 28 Detroit youths and 19 Maryland youths came together to create 28 posters to highlight the beauty of the different states of our motherland, India. Through these posters, people got to know about the diversity, history, and uniqueness of each of the different states of India to celebrate Independence Day on August 15. For more info, please visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid0311nYNH7hYbAzPnQ2veb227nBKYCk6T8AuDhrPH9iFuXuGurvk1KaReuC9ciTRkD6l 8/19/2023 - #Boundless Event "Detroit Youth team member Oviya JaiSankar represented the celebration of the amazing #Boundless national youth led event, where VT Seva youth from across different states joined in celebrating 2022 VT Seva achievements.” For more info, please visit our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid0mNzkwyynewZkEnD8F8yxGPUSYY9mSwinWrrmMqDPtCzQywK2zsd26SpoaLNFWbQrl 8/26/2023 - Clean Love Project For this event, VT Seva Detroit partnered with the Clean Love Project, an organization whose mission is to help women feel clean, loved, and empowered by distributing Clean Love Hygiene kits. To help support this mission, VT Seva volunteers worked tirelessly to assemble 1,500 hygiene kits to distribute to Detroit school children. Through their efforts, 1,500 lives were positively impacted. Youth Volunteers: Shruthi Adduri, Saisha Srivatsan, Shreya Srivatsan, Krithi Alugoti, Sai Sahasra Namudiri, Rishabh Mavatoor, Varun Brijesh, and Sanjith Vijayakumar Adult Volunteers: Jayashree Brijesh, Durga Nalini, Nirmala Srivatsan, Raghunath Namudiri, Vijayakumar, Kalpana Vijayakumar, and Vanitha Gopalan For more info, please visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid02ZXhrisynVwCWB6Ztr7cmbeRggbqWY5RzZoykiWePAsFwsT766MEYnbg4saPZFMpol 8/27/2023 - Tennis Tournament This was the first-ever tennis tournament organized by the Troy VT Seva youth volunteers. The funds from this tournament can support the education of almost 6 kids. The Troy High School clubs came together for this astounding event. For more info, please visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/videos/244934405123221/ 9/4/2023 - Essential Workers Appreciation To celebrate Labor Day this year, our youth volunteers showed their appreciation to essential workers and helped bring a smile to many of their faces. The beautiful handwritten cards that they made were given to firefighters, police, nurses, trash crew, postal workers, school janitors, custodians, school lunch ladies, grocery store workers, drivers, and vegetable vendors. Youth Volunteers: Aanya J, Abhiram, Adithi, Chinmay, Hajanthan, Hiba, Hrudya, Lalitaditya, Nidhi, Oviya, Pelon, Prajwal, Rachana, Rakshan, Rishabh, Sai Sriram, Sai Sahasra, Sathvik, Shraya V, Shreya S, Shruthi, Sneha A, Swara R, and Varshan For more info, please visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid031mFYiwW12yfruPFaSprovsR7NiavTfCWJkDLrLJDAUMYWyLo4bhUWL7pCfLtDBcel 9/10/2023 - Adopt a Road Clean Up VT Seva Detroit once again returned to clean up the stretch of road between 8 Mile and Haggerty, a road adopted by VT Seva. Our volunteers picked up trash, tire scraps, bottles, etc. along the way. Youth Volunteers: Hrudya Kishore, Jishnu Kandalam, Kaustubh Dingari, Rishi Adduri, Sai Sahasra Namuduri, Sai Sri Ram Karnati, Shraya Ved, Shreya Shetty, and Shruthi Adduri Adult Volunteers: Nalini Sangita, Neha Ved, Pavani Namuduri, Shreya Srivatsan, Srinathbabu Karnati, Srivardhan Dingari, Vanitha Gopalan, Vijay Kandalam, and Srivatsan For more info, please visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid02VB8eC8YyzVA779M4gD6fhngygY45bkLedMyuvzpYP6LYue1HRyPtEkTZ4247Nopul 9/16/2023 - Volleyball and Throwball Tournament This was an amazing close-out to the last sporting event held by VT Seva Detroit for 2023. These funds were enough to support the education of 7 visually challenged children. It was a great tournament for everyone involved! For more info, please visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid0AimKMmevdpmyy65xkKyMiZ1Lkh84gRhuVDc1MSpF6fkGoz4g93Wf8x6Z3CEcFUZgl 9/16/2023 - Car Wash VT Seva Detroit held its first-ever car wash to help support Nethra Vidyalaya students and Tribal students. They persuaded complete strangers to drop by and get their cars washed for a good cause. Together, we raised money to support almost two students. Youth Volunteers: Hajanthan, Varshan, Jishnu, Lalitaditya, Aditya, Shraya, Hrudya, Amogh, Rishi C, and Shruthi Adult Volunteers: Komathy, Muhinthan, Chintan, and Nalini For more info, please visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid0jgNwQWB6f3UuaEo4omNT3Uy48V1E8y3zSjgVuwsGqvna5EpRUCwkD53bjhPvw7Tml 9/30/2023 - Novi Fire Department Appreciation Lunch During this event, VT Seva Detroit organized an Appreciation Lunch for the Novi Fire Department. Following the lunch, they got a tour of the station from the firefighters onsite: Captain Seog, Firefighter Sentz, Firefighter Marshall, Firefighter Farahani, Firefighter Gora, Firefighter O’Neill, and Firefighter Lis. This tour explained the daily life of a firefighter and consisted of many tools, medical equipment, detectors, and other essential components of the 3 Firetrucks and the SUV. Along with that, we witnessed personally how one of the teams handled an emergency while on the tour. In response to the incoming 911 call, one of the Units left in a matter of seconds to help someone who had been in an accident inside the city limits. The EMT, firetruck, and captain all left as soon as they received the call. It showed how hard they work to keep our community safe. Youth Volunteers: Sai Karnati, Amogh Mavatoor, Rishabh Mavatoor, Varshini Barla, Hrudya Kishore, Nikhil Aerabati, Kaustabh Dingari, Hajanthan Muhinthan, Adithi Esarla, Yathi Debbata, Nimish Debbata, Nidhi Rao, Neha Rao, and Rakshan Samyanthan Adult Volunteers: Srinath Karnati, Sudheer Koppu, Srivardhan Dingari, Komathy Muhinthan, Maithreyi Rao, Manjunath Rao, Pushpa Esarla, Samyanthan T, Suresh Rajan, and Vanitha Gopalan For more info, please visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid0szyi26MB81RgiMm49RfuBrsNK2kdon6NyJomMLohNiHS5XsDmevJdUVducAo8sFXl Blog Compiled by: Shreya Shetty Video Compiled by: Anirvin Ramanan Blog Published by: Nandini Cheemalamarri

Well, well!!! What an AMAZING way to close out on the last scheduled Sports event of 2023!! You never know, we still have a couple more months to go and we may come up with a brand-new idea to host yet another sport ☺️ VT Seva Detroit’s 10th Volleyball & Throwball Tournament milestone was successfully concluded by raising funds to support the education of 7 visually challenged children!! The Orangutans gobbled up the Jellyfish in the Girl's Volleyball Ball Finals beating hard-playing AMS & SPARC Firecrackers in the Semis!! Loved the energy all the players showcased. I must say, such amusing Team names for sure. Way to go, Girls!!! Detroit Champs did not want to give away their rolling Trophy after all 😉 They made a strong comeback against Achievers to win the Throwball final game. Michigan Mavericks did put up a strong fight against both teams. In the Men's Volleyball, we have a new Champion, TUNE SQAUD !! They loggerheaded against last year's finalist, the Spikers. The final game was a real cliffhanger, going all the way to the deciding 3rd set. All in all, it turned out to be a sun-filled, fun-filled, and action-packed day of Volleyball and throwball games!! A warm heartfelt thanks to all the Players, Referees, Line Referees, Coaches, and Parents who signed up & supported this great cause through this tournament. It would not have been possible to execute such a huge tournament consisting of 15 teams, and over 120 players in 3 different categories without the HARDWORKING volunteers: Youth volunteers: Sai Karnati, Sneha, Sai Sahasra, Abishristi, Kirupali, Sanjana Datla, Kavya Karnati, Gaurang & Sridha. Adult volunteers: Srinath, Sudheer, Ram, Sirisha, Anand, Chandrasekhar, Raghunathan, Pavani, Architha, Sathya, Mahesh, Vanitha & Suresh Game leads: Ram and Sirisha did a great job in managing the teams, rules, and games on the event day! The Game Scores were as follows: Girls’ Volleyball Tournament Women’s Throwball Tournament Men’s Volleyball Tournament 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀, 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗔𝗹𝗯𝘂𝗺 𝗮𝘁 https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.705543311609176&type=3 Please visit our Facebook Post to Like, Share and Subscribe. https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid0AimKMmevdpmyy65xkKyMiZ1Lkh84gRhuVDc1MSpF6fkGoz4g93Wf8x6Z3CEcFUZgl Blog written by: Suresh Rajan Blog published by: Nandini Cheemalamarri

VT Seva Detroit organized the much-awaited Novi Fire Department appreciation lunch followed by a tour explaining – a day in the life of a firefighter, on Sept 30th, 2023, between 11:00 and 2:00 PM. We were greeted warmly by the team of Fire Fighters including Captain Seog. VT Seva Youth and Adult Volunteers introduced themselves. They gave a brief background of all the Projects, Social and Community Services, and the various partnerships that VT Seva has across metro Detroit and Internationally. They were so happy to hear about our 2023 achievements, appreciated our team’s efforts, and were so glad to host us at their facility. Despite their busy and often critical schedule, the Novi Fire Department graciously hosted us. The team on site consisted of: · Captain Seog · Firefighter Sentz · Firefighter Marshall · Firefighter Farahani · Firefighter Gora · Firefighter O’Neill · Firefighter Lis We helped arrange all the food that we had brought for the appreciation lunch inside the lunch area. We also presented a framed poster as a token of appreciation from VT Seva Detroit, thanking the fire Department for their selfless service and sacrifice. The team then gathered to begin the tour. We split into 3 different groups for the Firefighters team to swap the teams in 3 different sections of the facility. Old Betsie and EMT, the Tower and the Suppression truck along with the Captain’s Specialized SUV were on display for our walk-through. The team lead firefighters explained and showcased many tools, medical equipment, detectors, and other essential components of the 3 Trucks and the SUV. Some of the tools were AMAZING to watch – Jaws of Life, Jaw Saw, Sliders, Chalk Woods, Gas Leak detectors, face masks, Oil Dry, oxygen cylinders, and many more. We were simply awestruck with the amount of equipment and tools that they had on the trucks. Some of the facts were mind-boggling: The fire trucks can hold 500 to 600 gallons of water and an additional couple hundred gallons of foam to suppress oil spills. The oxygen cylinders have the capacity to provide 45 mins of oxygen that the firefighters carry as backpacks weighing close to 50lbs The fire trucks cost $1.8 M The tower ladder can extend to 100 ft and can easily reach over 6 stories of building Over 7000 fire hydrants are there within the City of Novi limits The tablet inside the Firetruck has the entire City’s plan, and every building’s blueprint plan loaded to be handy for the firemen The firefighters have the AED, Heat Signature Thermal Detectors, Infrared and Thermal Cameras, and Foregas – an advanced system for detecting different kinds of gas, mobile cascade systems, etc. at their disposal. While on the tour we had the firsthand experience of how one of the teams responded to an emergency. Within a few seconds, one of the Units was off to attend to someone who met with an accident within the city limit responding to the 911 call that came in. The captain along with the EMT and Firetruck were off as soon as they got the call. We realized how much responsibility the Fire Department has in order to execute the critical service to our community to keep all of us safe. HATS OFF to them!!! These are our volunteers who signed up for the Novi Fire Department Tour & Appreciation. Adults: Srinath Karnati, Sudheer Koppu, Srivardhan Dingari, Komathy Muhinthan, Maithreyi Rao, Manjunath Rao, Pushpa Esarla, Samyanthan T, Suresh Rajan, Vanitha Gopalan Youth Sai Karnati, Amogh Mavatoor, Rishabh Mavatoor, Varshini Barla, Hrudya Kishore, Nikhil Aerabati, Kaustubh Dingari, Hajanthan Muhinthan, Varshan Muhinthan, Adithi Esarla, Yathi Debbata, Nimish Debbata, Nidhi Rao, Neha Rao, Rakshan Samyanthan We all thanked once again for the amazing service that the department provides on a daily basis and concluded the tour. It was a very inspirational and enlightening day for us.