2024 April April Cool 2024 Kick off is here again with with more than 60 youths signed up to participate in this amazing journey of sowing, growing, caring, and selling the plant seedlings to support the education of blind / visually challenged Netra Vidyalaya students of Bharath. Let’s make April 2024 the best April Cooooool ever so far ✌️✌️ Atlanta VT Seva youths are enthusiastically participating in April Cool Seedling project. More than 40 youths are nurturing the plants and learning the science and the art of plant care, soil health, and nutritive values of various vegetable, fruits, and herbs. Our first plant sale will be in front of Patel Brothers on April 20 & 21st, 2024. 2023 May April Round 1 Atlanta VT Seva April cool plant project was a grand success for the third year in a row. Vt seva youth successfully raised funds for the education of blind children/visually challenged children in India. The sale event took place in front of the Indian grocery store, Patel Brothers on 15th and 16th April from 10am to 2pm. Around 60 VT youth volunteers and 40 adult volunteers participated. Youth explained the cause and sold various vegetable saplings, herbs, fruits, flower plants and seeds to the customers. The vegetable saplings were grown by the youth for 4-6 weeks.The vegetable saplings included tomato, eggplant, peppers, gourds (bottle, ridge, bitter, and snake) green chillies, cucumber, zucchini, chikkudu/papdi beans, long beans, ash gourd, chukka kura, dosakaya, and bathua etc. Fruit plants like strawberry and blackberry were sold. Different kinds of herbs like ajwain, mint, curryleaf, lemon grass, betel leaf, tulsi and basil were sold by the youth. Flower plants like canna lillies, hybiscus, other lillies, and chrysanthemums were also sold. Youth also sold some ornamental plants like pothos, monstera and tradescantia. Some vegetable seeds were sold in this sale event too. Several sponsors came forward and donated this year. It was really exciting to see community actively participate in this event and donate for the cause, raising money for the education of visually challenged/blind children in India. 2022 ROUND 1 April Cool Plant and Pot Sale on 23rd, 24th 2022 The best time to plant a tree was 10 years ago. The second-best time to plant is today! Atlanta VT Seva youth believed in the second option and did exemplary work by planting more than 1000 plants under APRIL COOL 2022 initiative. More than 50 Atlanta youths and adults were involved in APRIL COOL 2022 project in which they sew more than 1000 plus seeds of various vegetables, fruits, and herbs in the month of March. They planted a variety of veggies, fruits, and herbs. Their plant list shows their commitment to service and their enthusiasm to support Mother Nature. They sew various seeds such as Cherry Tomato, Plumb Tomato, Regular Tomato, Eggplant Back Beauty, Kale, Malabar Spinach, Sweet Basil, Green Bell Peppers, Lettuce, Chikkudu Green, Chikkudu Purple, Bottle gourd, Long Beans, Ridge Gourd, Bitter Gourd, Dosakaya, Wax Gourd, Luffa Sponge Gourd, Curry leaf, Lemongrass, Pothos, Snake Plant, Ajwain, Chrysanthemum Yellow, Spider Plants, Brahmakamalam, India Kanakambaram, Rose, Strawberry, Daisy, Cucumber, Sastra Daisy, Chemanthi. Yellow one, Sudan Pink, Mint, Marigold, Strawberry, Batua, Tindora, and many more types of plants. Atlanta youths’ energy, synergy, and enthusiasm was outstanding in sowing the seeds, watering it every day, taking plants out for sunlight, and nurturing it well with care and love. They exhibited the empathy in several ways and donated $4000 proceeds for the education of the blind / visually challenged children of Nethra Vidyalaya. In the words of George Washington, ‘True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity, before it is entitled to the appellation”. Atlanta youths are committed to build true relationship with Mother Nature by planting more and nurturing it well through adverse conditions with love, care, and empathy. ROUND 2 VT seva youth had a successful second round plant sale for raising funds for education of blind children/visually challenged children in India. The sale event took place in front of Patel Brothers on 21st and 22nd May 2022 from 10am to 2pm. Around 25 youth volunteers and 15 adult volunteers participated. Various vegetable saplings, herbs and flower plants were sold. The vegetable saplings were grown by the youth for 4-6 weeks.The vegetable saplings included tomato, eggplant, different types of chillies, peppers, tomatillos, cucumber, zucchini, bottlegourd, ridge gourd, snake gourd, bitter gourd, chikkudu/papdi beans, long beans etc. Different kinds of herbs like ajwain, mint, basil and chocolate mint were also sold. Flower plants like canna lillies, hybiscus, rose, lillies, chrysanthemums, and marigold were also sold. Some house plants like pothos and crotons were sold. Youth also sold other plants like banana, curryleaf, lemon grass, betel leaf, tulsi and other ornamental plants. It was a huge success. We raised $6000 from the plant sale and It is evident from the community response that people are generous and willing to be part of this wonderful cause of education of blind kids/visually challenged in India.

Atlanta youths and ladies learned Self Defense techniques on March 30, 2024. We learned realistic, practical, and effective ways to defend ourself and think clearly in very intense situations. It is about gaining the confidence to better control situations that might otherwise be completely outside of our control. We also learned how to attack if need arises. Total 40 youths and ladies participated in this workshop. Safeguarding ourself from potential dangers is not a luxury, but an essential skill in 21st century!

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!

“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. S obana 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.

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

"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.  AREAS ADULT VOLUNTEERS YOUTH VOLUNTEERS Setup, Hall, Stage Décor, Photo booth Team Akshay & Pratyusha Kanchana Perumalla Vanitha Gopalan Suresh Rajan Keerthysri Dingari Srivardhan Dingari Sony Devarashatty Komathy Muhinthan Neha Ved P Jishnu Kandalam Sai Sahasra Namuduri Komathy Selvarajah Hajanthan and Varshan Kaustubh Dingari Nikhil Aerabati Hrudya Kishore Usharani Ragothaman Kirupali Sathyanathan Kushi Kanumuri Registration Desk Team Anand Renganathan, Latha Nimmagadda , Jaisankar Kannan Prisha Agarwal Shivani Nimmagadda Sreenika Perumalla Program Coordination and Slide deck creation Priya Jaisankar Volunteers Coordination Team Vanitha Gopalan Neha Ved Shraya Ved Donation Forms Team Jaisankar Kannan Shreya Srivatsan Saisha Srivatsan Snack Serving Team Sai Sahasra Namuduri Rishabh Mavatoor Pelon Lin Hajanthan Muhinthan Stage Assist Team Mrudula Paturi & Kalyani Shetty Sneha Chandrasekar Projector setup and Support team Santhosh & Sudheer Koppu Sound System Srinivas Raju and Viswa Teja (Lucky) Presentation Team Priya and Nalini Kaavya & Harish Game Organizers Keerthi, Kanchana, Srilatha Emcee Team Arvind Narayanan Oviya, Veena, Amogh, Shreya, Sai Sriram, Kausthubh, Abishristi & Shruthi Gift Labelling Team Pavani & friends Photography and Video Recording Team Santhosh & Nitin Prakruthi Food pickup team Raghunathan Namuduri Suresh Rajan Srivardhan Dingari Venkat Pisipati Chandrasekhar Jaisankar Kannan Kalyani Shetty Sreenivas Cheemalamarri Swaroop Kancharla Anand Renganathan Srilatha Kaparthi Dinner Serving Team Nandini Cheemalamarri Vidhya Anand Magesh Kumar Chandru Srinivas Pavani Namuduri Architha Kramadati Komathy Muhinthan Keerthysri Dingari Srivardhan Dingari Asha Puranam Jyothi Karnati Sirisha Pratapa Niveditha Mavatoor Swaroop Kancharla Srilatha Kaparthi Kalki Renga Anand Rishabh Mavatoor Hajanthan and Varshan Yathi Shekar Debbata Swara Rege Nikhil Aerabati Hrudya Kishore Aanya Janga Sailaja Pochimreddy Shreyas Posam Dinner area Food trays & Crowd control Supervisors Team Suresh Rajan Vanitha Gopalan Sreenivas Cheemalamarri Venkat Pisipati Chandrasekhar Vijay Perumalla Dinner Area Backup Helpers Sai Sahasra Namuduri Akshitha Narla Diya Harsha Ritvik Harsha Kushi Kanumuri Anirvin Ramanan Clean up activities The entire Core team with their families and kids Social Media Updates Nandini Cheemalamarri 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)

2024 VT Seva Atlanta youths participated in the Bird House Making & Feeding project with fervor and zeal. Can You imagine a world without birds? Birds paly an essential role in our eco-system as they are the predators, pollinators, scavengers, and seed dispersers. If birds are healthy, our eco- system is also healthy as they are the eco-system engineers. More than 60 Atlanta youths of all age groups enjoyed making creative bird houses to provide home and food to the birds in this harsh winter. It’s good to know that our youths care about birds and building healthy habitat in Atlanta. Each youth will put bird seeds and water in their bird house year-round which will be instrumental in birds’ nurturing and growth and also contribute significantly in making our planet earth healthy. We raised $500 which was donated for the food for the blind/visually challenged students of Nethra Vidyalaya, India. It’s a gratifying experience for the Atlanta VT Seva Team and this is just a beginning... our giving wings of inspiration will never stop pushing us to the new heights! 2023 VTSeva Atlanta was delighted to hold the Bird House Making Project at Sharon Forks Library on February 25, 2023. This is our second annual year of doing this event and we had participation from more than 60 VTSeva children and adults. All the children enjoyed painting and decorating their birdhouses creatively. We raised over $300 from this bird house event for the cause. We can say this is ‘Tripple Bottom Line’ project, which impacted lives of Visually challenged kids in India, Atlanta VT Youth and Wild Birds. First, VT Seva Atlanta raised funds for the living of visually challenged kids in India. Second, VTSeva youth had an opportunity to help out the wild birds which are vital for a functioning environment. Third, Birds were given home to shelter, feed and to be protected from the wild winter. Spread Kindness to the birds nearby, Build Bird Homes & let your art apply, Give food to the Birds so they can fly, Let's do it Together, don't feel shy! 2022 On February 19, 2022, Atlanta VT Seva youths participated in a unique Bird Feeding project. They believe that birds had a tough winter, thus their promised themselves that let no bird die looking for food in spring. Atlanta youths spread their giving wings first by building bird houses and later putting bird seeds in it on the regular basis throughout the year. More than 25 Atlanta VT Seva youths participated in this bird feeding project. We collected $120 from this project which we used in donating for 1 day food to the Nethra Schools children for all 3 meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner). It’s a win-win situation for everybody - for the birds, for our Nethra School kids, and our Atlanta VT Seva youths as they implemented what they learned in the Prajna classes of serving all beings as service to God. Check out the latest update on our Bird Feeding / Bird House project. One of the volunteers Tameraa's bird house attract momma bird which laid eggs and the chicks hatched! yay!!

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 4 th  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 4 th  quarter with a special annual event RAAS. Below are our event details from this 4 th  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 Volunteer s : 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 Volunteer s : 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 8 th  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)

“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!

"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

“Live in the present and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering.” – Ida Scott Taylor In 2023, a remarkable annual initiative, Tribute to Bharath, once again illuminated the incredible diversity of Indian states. Spearheaded by Oviya , a passionate member of the VT Seva Youth Board in Detroit , this project was a journey into the heart of India, celebrating its unique states, cultures, and traditions. The Tribute to Bharath project was an innovative departure from the norm. Instead of delving into the pages of history, it focused on the vibrant present of India. Youth from Maryland and Detroit united to embark on this enlightening journey. A dedicated team of 28 Detroit youth board members and 19 Maryland Youth board members came together to research and create informational posters for each day of the month. These posters were windows into India's diverse states' cultural, historical, and geographical aspects. This project aimed to foster a deep connection with India's rich cultural roots. These posters were not mere information sheets; they were bridges connecting viewers to the fascinating tapestry of India. They showcased languages, traditions, and unique aspects that make each state a treasure trove of culture. One of the most significant achievements of this project was highlighting the unity in diversity that defines India. Each state has its own distinct identity, yet together, they form India's vibrant mosaic. This project emphasized the importance of cherishing this diversity and celebrating it as one of India's greatest strengths. Please take a moment to watch the video below: The success of the Tribute to Bharath project owes itself to the dedication and passion of our young board members. Let's acknowledge and celebrate the individuals who worked tirelessly to bring this project to life: Detroit: Oviya Jaisankar, Sreenika Perumalla, Kushal Durga, Shruthi Adduri, Eashan Daram, Sai Sriram Karnati, Sriraam Hebbar, Aditi Jethri Kompally, Vahini Murkathas, Shreya Shetty, Veena Karthik, Nirvan Daram, Rishab Mavatoor, Amogh Mavatoor, Anvika Perumalla, Rishi Chowdhury, Hiba Zyna, Harsh Ahire, Akhil Peteti, Nikhil Aerabati, Aanya Janga, Kalki Renga Anand, Rachana Raghunathan, Rishi Adduri, Kavi Renga Anand, Tanay Shah, Adhip Pisipati, Sathvik Tirumala Kanduri Maryland: Taara Vasudevan, Aadya Gillella, Akanksha Subramaniam, Divya Putthana, Gautham Venkatramanan, Kaniskar Sekaran, Keerthana Ganesh, Rohan Putthana, Sana Shenoy, Abhiram Tammana, Anika Gillella, Arjun Challa, Bhavya Yarlagadda, Mahesh C.G., Mridula Vasudevan, Nikitha Tokala, Rashmika Patel, Shreemayi Chityala, Yashmita Dillibabu Blog Written By: Oviya Jaisankar Detroit Tribute to Bharath Video by: Oviya Jaisankar Maryland Tribute to Bharath Video by: Mridula Vasudevan

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.

Atlanta Winter Cloth Drive For Special Needs Kids - VT Seva Atlanta youths collected new & gently used clothes in Dec 2023 & Jan 2024 for the Special Needs Kids of the Laurel Heights Hospital. Some of the children who came to the hospital in the summer months for their treatment are still in the hospital and they don’t have any winter clothes. Thus, our youths collected more than 350 coats, jackets, pants, shirts for them to help them stay warm during recovery process. The CEO of the Laurel Heights Hospital, Mr. Corey Jackson appreciates VT Seva youths for their generous donation of winter clothes. He & his team will facilitate interactive session soon for our youths to understand how they take care of the Special Needs kids of the hospital. VT Seva is building strong relationship with the Laurel Heights Doctors and it will be strengthen even more through collaborative projects in 2024! Visit of May 19, 2023 Atlanta VT Seva Team visits Laurel Heights Hospital May 19th, 2023. Corey Jackson, CEO of the Laurel Heights appreciated the work that Atlanta VT Seva does and also looking forward for the Summer Camp collaboration with the VT Seva youths. Dr. Smitha Batulla and Dr. O also appreciated the service work done by Atlanta team in last couple of years since 2021. Sonya Rice, Business Development Director of Laurel Heights truly appreciated the thoughtful cards for Special Needs kids and Laurel Heights Doctor’s and staff members. VT Seva and Laurel Heights collaboration has taken a new dimension by starting summer classes for the special needs kids of the hospital to engage them productively during their treatment at the hospital.