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September 9th, 2023, Panelists: Srihari, Aditi, Pranuthi, and Yashi Conducted by: VTSEVA Seattle Picking a college and/or a Major has been one of the biggest challenges most youth face in high school. It is also one of the most stressful times with so many things on their minds such as college applications, college essays, lining up recommendations, following up with college counselors, college visits, and much more. To demystify some of this and help our youth, VTSEVA Seattle recently conducted a seminar on the college application process. True to the spirit of our organization which is led by youth, the seminar was also led by four VTSEVA alumni who are now studying at the University of Washington. To represent a variety of experiences, we picked alumni who are at different stages of their Bachelors program to lead the seminar. Our speakers at the seminar were: Pranuthi - a junior at UW pursuing dual majors in Business and Pre-med, Aditi and Srihari - both Sophomore in Computer Science, and Yashi - a freshman preparing for an Informatics program. All of them brought different perspectives to the seminar presentation on different topics such as personal essays as part of the application process, campus life at UW, what to look for when deciding on a specific college, how to deeply understand what your strengths are, and how to harness that to decide on your bachelor's program. Finally, our youth alumni also had a strong message to parents on how to guide but not impose on their kids' college journey. The seminar was attended by around 30 kids and parents in person and a similar audience on a Zoom call. Here are some of the top questions that were addressed by our UW youth. How to pick a college to attend if you have multiple options? Factors to consider when choosing college: Tuition (in-state vs. out-of-state), Class size, Support for multidisciplinary studies (if doing double majors), Weather (this can take a toll if you are in the wrong city - consider the weather for fall/winter/spring), Urban or college town feel, match for your program, ease of joining clubs at the college, ease of re-applying to your majors if you don’t get it at time of admissions, Capped majors. What to focus on in a personal essay? Your essay should answer the question: What is my personal brand? You should focus on telling a story connecting what you have done to why that is important to you and how that contributed to who you are. You need to be authentic and it is always a good idea to connect the essay with the majors you plan to take - a subtle way is much better. Limited focused activities vs. many activities Spend time with one or two extra-curriculars that you are passionate about rather than spreading yourself thin with many activities. Colleges are looking for activities where you have gone beyond just the periphery and have either made a meaningful contribution or had significant learning. Are internships required for admissions? Depends. If you have an idea on your own, it is even more fulfilling and colleges love to see you execute on your own projects. For some, tying their projects with internships at startups is a great way to get exposure and refine their ideas. In some cases, college summer activities (like doing a summer camp at one of the UC schools) are as good as an internship as long as they align with your interests. Has doing the Running Start program helped your application? The Running Start program allows high school kids to take college-level courses at local community colleges in 11th and 12th grade. Community colleges offer a similar environment as universities (Canvas for example), a similar curriculum structure, many electives for kids to choose from and explore, and savings in college tuition as the state pays for the two years at community college through this program. Most universities view Running Start on similar lines as AP and IB. How can parents support kids in the application process? Give enough space for kids in the personal essay authoring process, try not to jam their schedules with too many activities, find one or two activities which they are passionate about and encourage kids to go deep on those, find colleges which offer the best match for the program your kids are interested in, and research talking to other parents, alumni, and college counselors (first choice might not be the right choice). Resources ​Section Links Notes College Admissions (top 3 public universities) ​ Admissions – Apply to the University of Washington Home | Admissions | Western Washington University (wwu.edu) Admissions | Washington State University (wsu.edu) UW has 3 campuses - Seattle, Tacoma, and Bothell. All have different applications. UW and WSU are the only ones offering Med School. Running Start Resources Running Start @ Bellevue College Home | Edmonds College Cascadia College Take college courses in 11th and 12th grade from community colleges - Tuition is paid by state. Public colleges takes most of these credits towards College Bachelor Program. Scholarships Scholarships.com Bold.org External scholarships are a great way to save money in college. There are plenty of websites available which has the lists compiled based on your criteria / demographic. Others College Admissions Calculator Although 100% is not accurate, this tool is great way to enter your students stats and see what colleges are target, reach, safety etc. Great way to build your college list.

77th Independence Day Flag March After working together to make pins to sell at the independence day event, members of VT Seva Atlanta gathered at Gas South Arena and put out a word for both VT Seva and for raising funds for disabled education in India. Before setting up the booth, members participated in the flag march. Members held up the flag to show their pride in India and its independence. After the flag march, members set up the booth and offered face painting, the flag badges, and tulsi plants. This also advertised for our Subha event coming up in October. Around 50 youths and adults participated in this event. They split into groups. 3 groups walked around the event center to advertise Vt Seva and make sales. While the 3 groups were doing this, 2 groups were at the booth. One group made sales and another handled face painting and henna. By advertising VT Seva also gained new members as well as making sales. During the event, youths came up with new ways to do advertising, and innovative strategies. These strategies worked and raised more funds. Adding sweets and walking around talking to people about helping the cause were some of the most effective ways to raise funds. Swapping out badges for tulsi plants after a while also caught people's eyes. Directing people to the stall helped as they would get face paintings or henna. Badge and Flag Making Event In commemoration of Bharat’s 77th Independence Day, VT SEVA Atlanta youth participated in a badge-making event. All of the students collaborated on creating 3 different Indian flag-themed badges. Although each flag took a lot of teamwork to create, all the students felt it was worth it in the end! The students expressed how this was a creative way to honor Bharath. Over 100 different flags were created in such a short amount of time! The team received much applause from those who purchased the badges during the Independence Day parade on August 15th, 2023. The student created 3 unique designs that each represent the Indian flag as shown below. Infographic Social Media Posts VT Seva Atlanta youths celebrated 77𝒕𝒉 𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒚 by sharing informational posters about Past, Present, & Future of Bharath! This project allowed the students to learn about India’s deep-rooted history and the inspirational leaders behind it. All of the posters were very creative in their own way while explaining the significance of each topic. The importance of encouraging this activity was very prominent, it allows the youths to be proud of their culture and understand the trials and tribulations a person can have to reach success. Collectively over 30 infographics were submitted by all the youths!

Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help.” – Heather French Henry On June 1st, 2023, the VT SEVA Atlanta Team embarked on a transformative journey with the launch of Summer Camp 2023. This initiative is rooted in three fundamental objectives: Engaging Education, Youth Empowerment, Supporting the Visually Challenged: We are dedicated to raising funds for the Visually Challenged children of Nethra Vidyalaya in India, extending our commitment to a noble cause. In the Laurel Heights Summer Camp, our dedicated youth volunteers undertook the responsibility of teaching online Elementary classes encompassing Math and ELA, as well as Fitness classes covering Taekwondo and Dance. These classes were designed to cater to the Special Needs children of the Laurel Heights Hospital who sought treatment during the summer months. Our young volunteers not only excelled in their roles but also played a pivotal part in uplifting the spirits of these children, infusing positivity into their lives, and facilitating their learning journeys during the healing process. In the VT SEVA Summer Camp for Atlanta's children, our youth volunteers continued to shine, receiving accolades from numerous parents who expressed their admiration for the camp's unique offerings. Many pledged to spread the word about this exceptional experience and eagerly anticipated enrolling their children in the 2024 VT SEVA summer camp. Here are some of the camp's remarkable highlights: >> Over 150 enthusiastic students enrolled in the summer camp. Atlanta's vibrant youth community took charge of teaching a >> diverse array of Elementary Classes, spanning Chess, Art, Robotics, Math, ELA, Dance, and Taekwondo. >> For those seeking more advanced learning opportunities, we offered classes in Web Design, App Building, Advanced Robotics, Advanced Art, Advanced Dance, Python programming, and Business Entrepreneurship. >> More than 50 passionate youths embraced the role of tutors, honing their skills in effective communication and lesson delivery. The camp successfully raised over $18,000 in support of blind and visually challenged children.

We trust this message finds you well. We regret to inform that due to unforeseen circumstances, we are forced to cancel the AMUSE event. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We understand the effort and enthusiasm you have put into preparing for the event, and we share your disappointment in having to cancel. Our utmost priority is to ensure a safe and well-organized event, and unfortunately, we are unable to meet the necessary requirements to guarantee a successful competition. We will be processing full refund of the registration fees paid within the next 1 month. Please allow for this period as we work diligently to ensure that the refund process is completed accurately and promptly. We genuinely appreciate your understanding and support during this time. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to our dedicated team at amuse@vtsworld.org . Once again, please accept our sincerest apologies for any inconvenience this cancellation may have caused. We value your participation and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you to our future competition . Thank you for your understanding and patience. Warm regards, AMUSE Team UPDATES: 1) Registration date has been extended to SEPTEMBER 05 2023 based on requests from multiple music and dance schools. 2) Prelim round results will be communicated to all the participants, to their registered email, starting August 17th. Please contact amuse@vtsworld.org for any questions By registering to the AMUSE competition, I Accept and Agree to all of the below listed - "TERMS and CONDITIONS" "RELEASE OF CLAIMS and WAIVER AGREEMENTS" VT Seva & JET USA Inc. AMUSE The term “organization” is used throughout the section refers to both VT Seva and JET USA Inc. TERMS and CONDITIONS The organization has the right to change these terms & conditions at any time without any advance notice. Participants will be notified if any changes occur. Penalty for breach of any of the terms and conditions is Disqualification. The competition is open to all participants ages 10 years and above and that reside in the United States of America. Age category is determined by the age of the participant as of SEPTEMBER 05, 2023 . If requested, proof of age MUST be provided for each participant. Organizers of AMUSE and/or members of their immediate families are not eligible to participate. People whose livelihood is teaching music and/or dance are not eligible to participate. Gurus/teachers/instructors of music and/or dance are not eligible to participate. Full-time and/or paid professional performers are not eligible to participate. Participants may register in multiple categories (Vocals & Dance). Please note that separate registration is required for multiple entries. Free-choice program for all rounds - choice of music is at the discretion of the participant as long as it is relevant to the category of the competition and the music does not have any slang or derogatory language. A participant may NOT perform the same music/dance from round to round. Competition Age Groups 10 years to 15 years 16 years to 20 years Competition Categories CATEGORY # CATEGORY TYPE AGE (YEARS) ​I ​VOCAL - INDIAN - CLASSICAL 10 - 15 II VOCAL - INDIAN - CLASSICAL 16 - 20 III VOCAL - INDIAN - SEMI-CLASSICAL / FILM DEVOTIONAL 10 - 15 IV VOCAL - INDIAN - SEMI-CLASSICAL / FILM DEVOTIONAL 16 - 20 VI DANCE - INDIAN - CLASSICAL 10 - 15 VII ​DANCE - INDIAN - CLASSICAL 16 - 20 Competition Rounds There are 4 rounds to the competition: Date & Location 1) Preliminary Online Submission Deadline to register and submit YouTube link - SEPTEMBER 05th 2023 If qualified, participants move to Quarter-Finals. 2) Quarter-Finals In-Person Held in 3 centers on weekend of September 09, 2023 - Austin, Dallas and Houston (venues in each city will be announced) Top 5 from each of the 6 competition categories, from each of the 3 centers, move to Semi-Finals. 3) Semi-Finals In-Person Held in Dallas on September 30th, 2023 (Venue will be announced) Top 5 from each of the 6 competition categories move to Finals. 4) Finals In-Person Held in Dallas on October 1st, 2023 ( Granville Arts Center ) Registration Fee & Guidelines 1) Preliminary Registration fee: $25 (US Dollars) per participant per category. All registration fees are nonrefundable. The application form must be accompanied by a link to the performance video. The video recording cannot be older than two months prior to submission of the Entry Form and must match with your age category at the moment of submission. Appropriate dress attire is required. The deadline for receiving preliminary round registrations is SEPTEMBER 05th 2023 11:59 PM CST The video recording, entry form, and registration fee must be received by the deadline - SEPTEMBER 05th 2023 11:59 PM CST Video recording link can be submitted at the time of registration or can be emailed later, but before September 05th 2023 to Amuse@vtsworld.org If you are submitting recording link later via email, please include in the email: your first name, last name and Seat# (listed below the QR Code from the email ticket confirmation that you will receive from Funzippy). Video guidelines for Preliminary round: Ensure that you have permission to perform a selection if your work is not in the public domain. For Vocals, Instrument or Karaoke accompaniment is NOT allowed in the video submission. Video performances must be performed by the applicants and may neither be edited nor enhanced in any way. Video submission should be in the form of a YouTube link. Maximum length of the video performance should be 5 minutes The submitted video should be recorded within the last 6 months prior to preliminary round deadline - should be recorded on or after February 15th 2023 The YouTube video title should have the name of the participant and the category in which they are competing. Examples: LastName_FirstName_Youth_Vocal_Classical LastName_FirstName_Youth_Vocal_SemiClassical LastName_FirstName_Adult_Vocal_SemiClassical LastName_FirstName_Adult_Vocal_Film LastName_FirstName_Youth_Dance LastName_FirstName_Adult_Dance Do not announce yourself or provide any text to your video. Please be sure your videos are set to “Public” or “Unlisted”: VIDEO MANAGER → videos → Basic Info → from the dropdown menu, please choose “Public” or “Unlisted” only. The organization takes no responsibility for videos that have permissions set to limit viewership or are published through any other video sharing platform (Vimeo, etc). Ensure that your video is viewable by a third party, even if you choose to make them unlisted. Only one performance video is allowed per registration. Once the performance video is submitted, it cannot be altered, changed or swapped - it is not negotiable. Recordings must always consist of uninterrupted video footage of the participant, preferably from a single camera angle with coverage of the performer’s full or upper body. No video splicing (editing a video by putting different video takes together is allowed). Although the organization does not require professional recordings and accepts video made at your home studio on your devices such as computer, tablet, or phone. The video and audio quality must be such that the judges have a clear and fair representation of your performance. 2) Quarter-Finals Registration fee: $40 (US Dollars) per participant per category. All registration fees are nonrefundable. Appropriate dress attire is required. Participants should send the song/dance to be performed in advance Participants will not be allowed to refer the lyrics while singing. Maximum performance time limit is 5 minutes 3) Semi-Finals No Registration fee Appropriate dress attire is required. Participants should send the song/dance to be performed in advance Karaoke tracks can be used for Vocals and must be sent in advance Participants will not be allowed to refer the lyrics while singing. Maximum performance time limit is 5 minutes. It is expected that each competitor's choice of music fits within the time allowed for each round. Timing begins with the first note of the performance and continues between pieces. If a competitor exceeds the given time allotted, that competitor will be asked to stop but at no penalty to his or her evaluation. Performers will be stopped when they reach the time limit and any performance exceeding the given time limit will not be counted. 4) Finals No Registration fee Appropriate dress attire is required. Participants should send the song/dance to be performed in advance Karaoke tracks can be used for Vocals and must be sent in advance Participants will not be allowed to refer the lyrics while singing. Maximum performance time limit is 5 minutes. Finals will consist of 2 rounds Competition Awards Quarter-Finals Top 5 in each of the 6 categories will be awarded trophies All participants will receive Certificate of Participation Semi-Finals Top 5 in each of the 6 categories will be awarded trophies Finals For each of the 6 competition categories: 1st prize Cash/Scholarship award of $1500 Round-trip flight ticket for the participant (1 ticket) and their Guru (1 ticket) to India to perform at Statue of Equality Performance at Statue of Equality in February 2024 Performance in album 2nd prize Cash/Scholarship award of $1000 Performance at Statue of Equality in February 2024 Performance in album 3rd prize Cash/Scholarship award of $500 Performance at Statue of Equality in February 2024 Performance in album *Important notes on the Awards* Cash/Scholarship award - Scholarship award for winners (Ages 10 years - 20 years) Round-trip flight ticket award – Only for the winning participant (1 ticket per winner) in Economy class – round trip from either Dallas or Houston to Hyderabad. Only 1 round-trip flight ticket to the Guru of the winner (only 1 Guru) from either Dallas or Houston to Hyderabad. The Guru's flight ticket will be provided only if the winning participant will be performing at Statue of Equality. Only 1 round-trip flight to the Guru irrespective of the number of students winning different categories. If the participant does not include the Guru name at the time of registration, no additions and/or changes will be allowed later - no exception. The flight booking/reservation will be made by the organizers at their discretion (Airlines and dates in February only). If any of the winner does not avail the flight ticket, no flight ticket will be provided to the participant's Guru. If any of the winner and/or their Guru does not avail the flight ticket, no equivalent cash will be awarded, and the flight ticket will be forfeited. The organizers at their discretion can award the flight tickets to the 1st runner-up and their Guru in the same category. Performance at Statue of Equality – The performance will be at Statue of Equality in February 2024 The song selection will be provided by the organizers, only the song(s) provided by the organizers should be performed. There will be mandatory practice sessions both online while in USA and in-person prior to the performance day in India - it is mandatory for participants to be in India for in-person practice sessions. All travel and accommodation (lodging and boarding) expenses (except for the round-trip flight tickets to the winner and their Guru) are the responsibility of the participants. An appropriate dress code is mandatory, the details of which will be provided to all the participants. Opportunity to perform at Statue of Equality is subject to operational logistics. Performance in Album – The song selection will be provided by the organizers, only the songs provided by the organizers should be performed. Opportunity to perform in album is subject to operational logistics. Travel Expenses For Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Finals, the participants are responsible for their own as well as their accompanists’ travel, accommodation (lodging and boarding) expenses. Photo/Video All photos/videos taken during the AMUSE Music Competition by the authorized personnel or agents of the organization are copyrighted and owned by the organization. Candidates cannot claim legal rights to video recordings and/or photos submitted or broadcasts that may be made in connection with the competition. All legal rights are reserved by the organization and no fee is payable to any competitor for performances, photos, recordings or television broadcasts. Publicity By submitting the entry form, each participant, parent or legal guardian (if such participant is a minor) authorizes the use of competitor’s name, photo, audio and/or video recording for the publicity and advertisement purposes related to the competition by the organization. General Terms The organization is not responsible for and shall not be held liable for: (a) lost, late, delayed, damaged, incomplete, illegible, unintelligible, or misdirected entries; (b) telephone, electronic, hardware or software program, network, Internet, or computer malfunctions, failures, or difficulties of any kind; (c) failed, incomplete, partial, garbled, or delayed computer transmissions; (d) any condition caused by events beyond the control of the organization that may cause the competition to be disrupted; (e) any printing or typographical errors in any materials associated with the competition; (f) any claims, suits, actions, liabilities, injuries, losses, or damages of any kind in connection with the competition or resulting from acceptance, possession, or use of any prizes and awards. In addition, the organization cannot guarantee that someone will not be exposed to and contract COVID-19 or other contagious disease(s). By attending any of the live events conducted by the organization each attendee, competitor, parent / legal guardian, teacher, and guest: (a) does so at one’s own risk with possibility of being exposed to contracting or spreading COVID-19 or other contagious diseases along with all related consequences, (b) agrees to comply with all health and safety protocols based on applicable federal, state, and local rules and guidelines as implemented by any of the venues where the organization conducts its live events, and (c) gives up a right to bring any claims, including but not limited to claims of negligence, resulting from attending such live events. The organization has the right to cancel the event or cancel / merge any categories based on the number of registrations received. By entering AMUSE Music Competition, each entrant, parent / legal guardian (if such entrant is a minor), agrees to accept these rules and be bound by the decisions of the organization, its judges and staff, which are final and binding in all matters. Please contact amuse@vtsworld.org for any questions VT Seva & JET USA Inc. AMUSE The term “organization” is used throughout the section refers to both VT Seva and JET USA Inc. RELEASE OF CLAIMS By participating in the event (AMUSE), I (I or the “Participant”) hereby execute this waiver and release (the “Agreement”) effective as of the date I register for the event. In consideration of my participation, I agree as follows: I hereby release the organization and their respective officers, directors, members, representatives, sponsors, volunteers, successors, and assigns (the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims, demands, damages, rights of action, or causes of action, arising out of my participation in AMUSE. This Agreement extends and applies to all unknown, unforeseen, unanticipated, and unsuspected injuries, damages, loss, and liability, and the consequences of them, as well as those disclosed or known to exist. I expressly waive all provisions of any state, federal, local, or territorial law or statute which provides that releases will not extend to claims, demands, injuries, or damages that are unknown or unsuspected to exist at the time to the person executing the release. I indemnify and hold harmless the organization and their respective officers, directors, members, representatives, sponsors, volunteers, successors, and assigns (the “Released Parties”) from any loss, liability, damage or cost they may incur while I am at the Event or on the Premises, whether or not caused by the negligence or gross negligence of the Releasees. I release, waive, discharge and covenant not to sue the organization and their respective officers, directors, members, representatives, sponsors, volunteers, successors, and assigns (the “Released Parties”) from all liability to me, my personal representatives, assigns, heirs and next of kin, for any claims, causes of action, obligations, lawsuits, charges, complaints, controversies, damages, costs or expenses of whatsoever kind, nature, or description, whether direct or indirect, in law or in equity, in contract or in tort, or otherwise, whether known or unknown, arising out of or connected with my (or my child’s/ward's) attendance at the Event or while on the Premises, whether or not caused by the negligence or gross negligence of the Releasees. If any provision of this Agreement is for any reason held to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability will not affect any other provision of this Agreement, and this Agreement will be construed as if such invalid or unenforceable provision were omitted. By entering into this agreement, I knowingly and voluntarily waive any and all rights I might have to a trial before a jury, and agree to mandatory binding arbitration of all disputes or claims arising out of this Agreement. This agreement is legally binding upon me and my heirs, estate, assigns, legal guardians, and personal representatives. This is a release of liability. By registering for the event (AMUSE), I hereby accept and agree to all terms of this Agreement. WAIVER AGREEMENTS AUDIO AND VIDEO WAIVER I authorize the organization assignees to use and publish (with or without my name, company name, or with a fictitious name) any audiovisual recordings, photographs, pictures, portraits or images of me in any and all forms and media and in all manners, including, but not limited to, composite images and distorted representations, for the purposes of publicity, illustration, commercial art, advertising, publishing (including publishing in electronic form or on Internet websites) for any product or services, or for any such other lawful uses as may be determined by the organization. I waive any and all right to review or approve any uses of my name, likeness, images, written copy, or finished product. COVID / HEALTH HAZARD WAIVER I acknowledge that there is a chance of exposure during the event. I hereby release the organization and their respective officers, directors, members, representatives, sponsors, volunteers, successors, and assigns (the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims, demands, damages, rights of action, or causes of action, arising out of my participation at AMUSE as it relates to COVID-19 and any other communicable disease. I recognize and acknowledge that there are hazards and risks of physical injury or illness to Event attendees and that not all such hazards or risks can be fully eliminated. I freely and voluntarily agree to assume the full risk of death, bodily injury or property damage, regardless of severity, that I (or my child/ward) may sustain as a result of my attendance at the Event, whether or not caused by the negligence or gross negligence of the Releasees. JUDGING WAIVER A jury of qualified judges will evaluate all rounds of AMUSE based on criteria for artistry such as technical ability and musicality. Contestants will be judged solely on their musical abilities and not on the basis of their race, gender, or other protected characteristics. The decision of the judges is final and cannot be appealed. No disputes or disagreements arising from the competition’s results will be entertained or reviewed. By participating in AMUSE, I agree to these rules and waive my right to dispute the allocation of all/any prizes and awards. Please contact amuse@vtsworld.org for any questions

In a stunning display of grit, determination, and unmatched talent, the Indian Women’s Cricket Team for the Blind emerged victorious at the IBSA World Games, securing the coveted Gold medal. This remarkable feat not only celebrates their exceptional sporting abilities but also shines a light on the power of inclusivity and the impact of organizations that support them. Hailing from diverse backgrounds and regions, the Indian women who competed in the IBSA World Games showcased their exceptional cricketing skills, defying all odds. What makes this victory even more inspiring is the fact that three players representing India hail from the Nethra Vidyalaya school and colleges. These players have not only exemplified their prowess on the field but have also demonstrated the value of quality education and sports training. Behind this triumphant journey lies the unwavering support of VT Seva to Nethra Vidyalaya School and Colleges, an organization that has played a pivotal role in nurturing these players' educational pursuits and sporting aspirations. VT Seva's commitment to empowering these women through education and sports has undeniably been a driving force behind their success. A significant part of this incredible journey can be attributed to the vision of Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, the visionary founder of Nethra Vidyalaya and VT Seva. His foresight and dedication to creating an inclusive environment for differently-abled individuals have been instrumental in shaping the lives of these cricketing champions. Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji's vision goes beyond just sports; it encompasses the holistic development of individuals who are often overlooked, emphasizing education, skill-building, and self-confidence. He closely followed their progress and He announced a reward of 1 lakh Indian rupees each for the three players who are the students of Nethra Vidyalaya, He also announced a reward of 2 lakh India rupees to other Indian team members. As we celebrate this remarkable victory, it's important to recognize and appreciate the collective effort that made it possible. Volunteers and donors who selflessly dedicated their time, resources, and expertise to support these women deserve heartfelt gratitude. Their contributions have not only helped in honing the players' talents but have also paved the way for a more inclusive and accepting society. The IBSA World Games are the largest high-level international event for athletes with visual impairments, with more than 1000 competitors from more than 70 nations. Games took place at the University of Birmingham, across the Edgbaston area and wider region from 18-27 August 2023. The triumph of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team for the Blind at the IBSA World Games is a testament to the potential that lies within every individual, regardless of their abilities. It underscores the importance of equal opportunities and the positive impact that educational and sports initiatives can have on shaping lives. In a resounding display of women power and the power of visually challenged, the Indian Women’s Cricket Team for the Blind secured an awe-inspiring victory at the IBSA World Games, emerging as undisputed champions. Their journey to the Gold medal was not just a feat of athletic prowess, but a testament to the indomitable spirit that defies limitations and breaks down barriers. The journey of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team for the Blind to their astounding victory at the IBSA World Games Gold was nothing short of a triumph against all odds. Throughout the tournament, they exhibited unparalleled dedication and a remarkable display of skill. Their journey began with a compelling eight-wicket victory over Australia. In a testament to their resilience and strategic prowess, they effectively restricted Australia to 59/6. This opening victory laid the foundation for what was to come — a demonstration of sheer determination and a remarkable ability to adapt to challenges. As the tournament unfolded, the Indian team's dominance became increasingly evident. Their match against England showcased their explosive batting prowess, as they amassed an impressive 268/2 in just 20 overs. This display of power not only secured them a staggering 185-run victory but also solidified their position as true contenders for the Gold. With an unyielding spirit and an unwavering focus, the Indian team went on to pummel Australia once again, this time by a remarkable 163-run margin. Their consistent performance showcased their relentless pursuit of excellence and their commitment to pushing their limits beyond conventional expectations. Against England in the subsequent match, the Indian team displayed their prowess yet again, emerging victorious by a substantial 153-run margin. The momentum they had built over the course of the tournament was a testament to their exceptional teamwork, skillful execution, and unshakeable determination. As the climactic moment arrived—the finals—the Indian Women’s Cricket Team for the Blind faced Austalia with their eyes on the Gold. Demonstrating their incredible batting and fielding prowess, they clinched a resounding nine-wicket victory, sealing their victory and etching their names in the annals of sporting history. This triumphant journey not only underscores the prowess of women in sports but also challenges the notion of limitations. The Indian team's feat celebrates the essence of women power and visually challenged, proving that determination, skill, and teamwork can overcome any obstacle. Their dominance, perseverance, and relentless pursuit of excellence serve as an inspiration to the world, a reminder that true champions are those who dare to break barriers and redefine what is possible. The victory of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team for the Blind is a story of empowerment, resilience, and the triumph of the human spirit—a story that will inspire generations to come.

What an incredible triumph for our blind cricketers representing India! Traveling to England and defeating both England and Australia is a testament to their unwavering determination and remarkable skills. Games are taking place from August 18 - 27, 2023 at the University of Birmingham, England. The IBSA World Games are the largest high-level international event for athletes with visual impairments, with over 1000 competitors from more than 70 nations. The Indian team beat Australia by 8 wickets in the first match, won the second match against England with 185 runs, and won the third match against Australia with 245 runs Our beloved Nethra Vidyalaya students are taking part in this wonderful victory A special shoutout to the inspiring trio of female students from Nethra Vidyalaya School who shone brightly on the field. Ravani's outstanding performance, with a splendid half-century while batting and a wicket while bowling, Sandhya & Ravani taking a wicket truly exemplifies their sheer talent and hard work. None of this would have been possible without the dedicated efforts of VT Seva volunteers and donors. Your unwavering support has paved the way for these athletes to achieve their dreams and make our nation proud. Let's celebrate this remarkable accomplishment and continue to empower these individuals to reach even greater heights! Celebrating the incredible success of our blind cricketers representing India, and there's even more to this heartwarming story! Recollecting the memory with joy - A group of 16 enthusiastic VT Seva volunteers - high school students from the US had an extraordinary opportunity as part of their summer internship in June - July 2023. They interacted, ran with, and provided a token of encouragement to the talented girl cricketers by gifting sports backpacks. Click here for the pictures from the internship trip. Such acts of kindness and solidarity truly make a wonderful memory by empowering these athletes who have brought glory to our nation and more importantly remind us of the responsibility we volunteers have to continue our support in their journey of achieving dreams. Let's continue to celebrate the spirit of achievement, collaboration, and support that binds us all together. Together, we are building a brighter future for these extraordinary individuals! VT Seva is Volunteering Together for Service

One day, Sridevi, the Chicago branch director of VT Seva, was at the local farmers market in Buffalo Grove. She saw two high school kids at a booth. She headed over there and saw that they were fundraising. They had chocolates out and were selling it for as much as people would pay for them. Needless to say, that’s when Sridevi had the brilliant idea to sign up VT Seva for a booth at the farmers market. She researched and emailed people until she finally got us a slot: Sunday, June 25 from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Now, all we needed were volunteers to man the booth and things to sell. Hence, Sruthi created a signup to bake, to help out at the booth, or do both. There were many whom had signed up for volunteering at the booth. We split the times up into slots, fearing it would be too tiring for the youths to handle. Sudheeshna, Veda, Sahithi, and Kiva stayed the whole time. Sruthi made a huge batch of cookie dough the day before this event and made enough dough for 100 cookies. On the day of event we found out home made goods weren’t allowed because of some precautions. Luckily, we brought plants, water bottles in iceboxes, store bought cookies, and brownie brittle to be received as a thank you gift for donating. Reshma also joined us. We experimented with hooks that could lead people to our booth. We started with “would you like to help our community?”. Then went on to “would you like to help local food pantries?”. Then, finalized our hook: “ would you like to know how we help our community? ” “Business was slow at first as many people didn’t want to carry around plants but they came back and purchased plants.” Some of our families even came out to support us. Reshma described how as the day progressed, “there were times when people we approached simply didn’t want to listen to what we had to say. At these moments, we would just laugh it off and move on. When people were interested, we all worked together to effectively explain the depth of our cause” Youth volunteers shared the QR code for VT Seva home page for people to learn more about VT Seva and donate. Sudheeshna developed her persuasive catch phrase, “A dollar goes a long way!”, which convinced many to donate. A reporter from Capital Gazette approached the youth volunteers and he was so inspired by VT Seva that he decided he would write an article about VT Seva and youth volunteers which would be published in the following weeks. All the youth volunteers were so grateful for the opportunity. Kiva reflected on the day, she felt: “ At the beginning I felt really shy but as the day went on I felt really confident going up to people and saying my lines .” Overall, all youth volunteers learned how to communicate with people better. When asked what Reshma learnt, she told: “ I learned that sometimes it takes patience and time before you can start achieving your purpose. " In terms of this event, volunteers had to continue to approach people even though most of them didn’t want to hear what we had to say. "However, this didn’t stop us and we continued to talk to more people, and eventually we created a lot of awareness about VT Seva, created enthusiasm about the activities we are doing, got some donations, and added new volunteers, which was such a great result” Blog Written By: Sruthi Ranga

Troy IAE and Troy High School students are organizing the first Tennis Tournament to support Nethra Vidyalaya student’s education in India. This is the doubles tournament for middle schoolers, high schoolers and adults. Come have a friendly play with your friends. To have more fun both middle schoolers and high schoolers will play together. Have fun playing, win the trophies and provide education! Come join and support the efforts of high school students who are working together to support underprivileged student’s education Play for a day and support 20 days of education for one student! Block your calendar for August 27, 2023 from 9 AM @ Troy High School courts Registrations fee is considered as donation, so it will not be refunded. Rules & Regulations: All Players must go through the rules & regulations and sign the Waiver Form in registration form.

We concluded an amazing high-energy *2023 4th Annual VT Seva 'Soccer for a Cause'* tournament successfully! With the funds raised in this tournament, we can support the education of 12 children at Nethra Vidyalaya School for the entire year. The players, referees, volunteers, viewers/supporters, and parents were simply FABULOUS in supporting the cause. The games were played with the right spirit and attitude from the beginning to the end. The game coordinators and timekeepers were extremely diligent in ensuring the scores and timings are kept as per schedule. After an electrifying Group 2 final, Look Ma, No Hands team from New Baltimore, MI came as out the winner defeating the tough-playing Novi Lightning Blue . What a nail-biting finish, it was with the two Semis and Final games in the knockout stages after the firepower round-robin group games between the 12 teams!! Detroit FC clashed against Manchester Divided in the finals knocking out CPFC and Team Abhinav in the semis. Detroit FC came up victorious and took the championship trophy 🏆. The rolling trophy has now passed on from last year's winners Saginaw-FC to Detroit FC, who are the new champions of the tournament in Group-3. Very special shoutout to VT Seva youth captains - Kalki, Adhip, Yug, and Abhinav who promoted the event and formed their own teams. Lots of appreciation and thanks to all the referees from the Group 3 teams and Group 2 referees Grace, Darshan & Adam for ensuring the games are played fairly. Special shoutout to Alvin, whose support, drive, and initiatives were critical to the tournament this year. Alvin has been a constant supporter of our cause and this year he played a major role in being part of the VTS Soccer management team, pulling in so many teams, working through the schedule with us, and working hand in hand with our VTS team. Thank you so much! 👍✌️ The event would not have been a grand success without the valuable contributions of VT Seva Volunteers. HOURS & HOURS OF PREP WORK WENT INTO MAKING THIS A SUCCESSFUL EVENT so hats off to the DETROIT STRONG VTS Volunteering team Youth & Adults. Volunteers list: We are so grateful for the support from our event Sponsors- Vani Foods, BSHM Financial Services (Texas), and our corporate sponsor Yazaki North America, Inc. 🙏🙏🙏 Thanks to Akshaya Patra, who provided food for sale at the venue. More details with Game Stats, photos, and special mentions are forthcoming soon in the form of a website blog post!! Event photos can be found here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Lm4hn8WZK7Cz4Xj5A Standings & Scores of the event: Group 2: Group 2 Final Game: Group 3: Group 3 Semi-Finals & Finals Scores: Facebook Link https://www.facebook.com/vtseva.detroit/posts/pfbid02DKruDSFQUSsXYF5D73jjFnGRoANN7zwVSJbJndRvfX6Qz84vVpGF619V9mYbjZKal Youtube Link Blog Written By: Suresh Rajan Blog Published By: Nandini Cheemalamarri

Life becomes more purposeful when you’re doing something good.” Brendan Locke Cancer has a major impact on society in the United States and across the world and it is among the leading causes of death worldwide. Our VT Seva Detroit Youth Board members made an effort to alleviate some of the financial strain that cancer patients goes through. VT Seva Detroit Youth Board successfully completed their 3rd annual hybrid walkathon on July 16, 2023 , to support Angels of Hope - A Family Cancer Foundation supporting Michigan families impacted by Cancer. This year's walkathon kicked off on June 16th immediately after the end of school year. VT Seva leadership team kicked off this event with a lot of energy and instill motivation in all of us. Third annual hybrid walkathon was conducted for 30 days from June 16, 2023 to July 16, 2023. 213 participants , 43 team leads raised more than $3600+ and walked 7700+ hours. By the end of the first week, 50% of the team leads registered, and overall around 50 people registered. And by July 16th, we have 42 team leads registered with 213 people. Many of the team leads went above and beyond and were able to recruit more than 4 members in their team. Final day… On July 16th, the final walkathon day... with 60+ participants, We kicked it off with a yoga session by Srilatha , all participants got an opportunity to learn about Yoga and practice a few exercises. Most importantly.. beneficiaries of the walkathon also joined the event, which is Angels of Hope and a cancer impacted person helped by this organization. It was eye-opening to many of the volunteers to hear the financial and mental problems that they go through and how their lives are impacted. Angels of Hope stood next to these people and helped them to pay their rent, utility bills as well as groceries and ensured they go through a speedy recovery. Hearing these directly from the affected people, all volunteers got motivated and inspired to help out more for this cause. Joining this well-organized, thoughtful event really opened many of our eyes to how reality is for others who are still part of our community. It spread a lot of awareness to myself and my peers on struggles others go through, and how we can help them. In the end, we successfully raised more than $3,500 which will be used for the greater cause of helping cancer families. VT-Seva's Annual Walkathon will surely be an event that many of us will attend again due to its huge impact across many people. One of our youth team Oviya Jaisankar donated her hair for the organization Wigs 4 Kids which supports the children who are impacted by cancer. This event would not have been possible without our Team Leads! Huge shoutout to: Varnika Jakka, Oviya Jaisankar, Abhiram Mudeganti, Hajanthan Muhinthan, Akshaya Palanisamy, Akshita Mylavarapu, Anvika Perumalla, Sreenika Perumalla, Aanya Das, Adhip Pisipati, Pelon Lin, Rishi Chowdhury, Saisha Srivatsan, Sathvik Tirumala Kanduri, Aditi Jethri Kompally, Akshay Kumar, Akshith Ashwanth, Anuraag Balaji, Arya Tarun Cheemalamarri, Eesha Chigullapally, Ishan Iyer, Jayanth Bhatti, Kalki Renga Anand, Rishi Adduri, Ruthvi Ala,Sai Sahasra Namuduri, Sai Sri Ram Karnati, Samhith Enganti, Sanjana Datla, Shivam Shah, Shivani Nimmagadda, Shraya Ved, Sneha Chandrasekar, Sriraam Hebbar, Supraja Pattangi, Teja Tanush Cheemalamarri, Varshan Muhinthan, Veena Karthik, and Vishnu Athreya This year our team leaders not only walking and raising money for Angels of Hope, they were walking across national parks. Rishi Chowdhry a team leader put together a google map for all national parks in the contiguous states in USA. Many team leaders learned about those national parks and shared their learning with others. On top of achieving the goal of getting at least 4 team members, some team leads exceeded that! This year’s winners are: Individuals with more miles 1st Place - Kalki 2nd Place - Rithvik 3rd Place - Priyanka Team with more miles 1st Place - Oviya 2nd Place - Adhip 3rd Place - Rishi C Team Leads with more members 1st Place - Varnika (22 Members) 2nd Place - Oviya (14 Members) 3rd Place - Abhiram (9 Members) This year’s Walkathon would also not have been possible without the parents who sponsored the snacks and drinks that kept all the participants' energy up! Thanks to the parents ( Vidya ji, Jaisankar ji, Jisha ji, Nandhini ji, Nalini ji & Kanchana ji ) who sponsored water bottles, fruits, snack bars, and cookies. Not only did some sponsor for treats, but we would also like to thank the families and team members ( Suresh Kaku (Sai Sriram) ji, Aarthi ji, Architha ji & Siri ji ) that chose to donate more. We raised a $600 donation for this cause through this! Thanks to 𝐔𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐣𝐢 for website creation and providing support with website maintenance and updates. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped with setup to cleanup ! We are very grateful for a successful Walkathon this year, and thank all the contributors. Reflection from few of our walkathon team leads! Oviya Jaisankar: This is 3rd year I’m participating as a Team Leader. Knowing the impact this project creates in the families impacted by cancer, I try to reach out more to contribute more. Moreover, this project motivates me to walk every day and stay healthy too. Prayers to all the families and patients impacted by cancer. Veena Karthik: It is very overwhelming for Cancer patients and their families when they are saddled with bills and out of pocket costs while dealing with life altering illness and treatments. I was glad to be part of VT Seva Detroit - Angels of Hope partnership Walkathon 2023 to raise funds for those impacted families and help ease their financial strain during this difficult time. This walkathon also helped our family to stay active during summer. Anvika Perumalla: The walkathon was a wonderful experience as I was able to raise money for those fighting cancer and see the true impact right in front of me at the finale. It made me realize that the impacts which I had created may seem insignificant to me, but it was instilling buckets of hope in others. I am so glad I was able to be apart of this opportunity and I wish to continue to spread joy in my community. Pelon Lin: It was a really nice event to attend. I really enjoyed walking throughout the whole Walkathon and the final kickoff event at Shiawassee Park. My family and I are very active people, and we each enjoy different forms of exercise, such as running, walking, swimming, and playing basketball. This Walkathon was really memorable to me because it was great seeing more than 200 people participate in the Walkathon to help support Angels of Hope. Although some people did not log mileage, this Walkathon helped encourage many people to walk, which will benefit their health. Sreenika Perumalla: When VT Seva started the walkathon this year, my initial feeling was just one more project with a focus on helping cancer-impacted people. However, this thought process totally changed and made me a more changed (committed and motivated) individual by the end of the whole program. And I believe the same reflection is on youth as well as adults. Video By: Adhip Pisipati Blog Written By: Sreenika Perumalla Blog Edited By: Priya Jaisankar

Over the course of the second quarter of 2023 (April - June) VT Seva volunteers have made a huge impact. Participating in over 15 projects, VT Seva volunteers have made sure to make this world a better place. Every project was great and allowed youth and adult volunteers alike to extend their time to further such a noble cause. VT Seva’s volunteers did everything from litter cleanup on earth day to helping package food for people in need. VT Seva’s wide-ranging scope of projects has made sure to enrich the community, empower positive change, and enhance the world. Below are the projects we have done from April to June this quarter: Youth Board Projects: CASS Community Social Services Centers Kitchen Volunteering – April 8th Ann Arbor Water Treatment Plant Center Tour – April 16th Mother’s Day Cards – May 10th Troy Nature Center – May 13th VT Seva Detroit Youth Board 4th Anniversary Celebration & College Planning Webinar - May 19th Walkathon Kickoff – June 16th Father’s Day Cards – June 18th RRRASOC Recycling Webinar – June 26th Detroit Projects: Ford Wellness Center – April 1st Forgotten Harvest – April 15th VT Seva Table Tennis and Badminton tournament - April 22nd Earth Day Litter Cleanup Walk – April 29th Novi Police Department Appreciation Lunch – May 13th Stamp Out Hunger – April-May Forgotten Harvest – May 20th Mercado Food Hub – June 10th VT Seva Soccer Tournament - June 24th 4/8/2023 - CASS Community Social Services Centers Kitchen At this event, VT Seva volunteers helped the CASS community serve meals for 200 to 300 people. The volunteers helped make bagged lunches, make sandwiches, organize the pantry, clean spice racks, organize kitchen shelves, cut up vegetables, and then cleaned up afterward. They worked so hard and well, in fact, that they finished all the jobs early. Project Lead: Oviya JaiSankar Youth volunteers: Amogh, Eesha, Hajanthan, Hrudya, Lalitaditya, Rishabh, Shraya, Siya, Yana, Varshan Adult Volunteers: Komathy ji, Neha ji, Vanitha ji, Nalini ji, Ravi ji, Kishore ji, Deepak ji, Muhinthan Murugesu ji, CASS community center Event FB Link 4/16/2023 - Ann Arbor Waste Water Treatment Plant Tour In this activity, VT Seva volunteers got the amazing opportunity to learn a lot about Wastewater treatment. The volunteers toured a number of treatment units in the facility and learned what wastewater treatment is as well as how it is done. For example, the volunteers learned that wastewater treatment is a process to remove waste materials from the wastewater, to enable the resulting clean after to be reused. The waste that is removed from the water is sent to a landfill or waste-handling storage facility. Youth volunteers: Aditya P, Deekshitha R, Hajanthan M, Harish J, Hrudya K, Nidhi R, Oviya J, Rishi A, Samhith E, Shraya V, Shruthi A, Vahini M, Varshan M, Veeksha S Adult Volunteers: Manjunath, Murukathas, Nalini, Komathy, Neha, Ranga Rao , Priya, Jaisankar, Kishore Ann Arbor wastewater treatment plant tour FB link 5/10/2023 - Mothers’ Day Greeting Cards Project To celebrate Mother’s Day VT Seva volunteers created beautiful cards to wish all the moms at 3 senior centers: Oakmont Communities, Woodhaven, and Manoogian Manor. All of these cards displayed incredible passion and creativity and were sure to put a smile on their recipients. Through this event, VT Seva volunteers created 170 amazing cards to share in the old age centers. Project Lead: Rishabh Mavatoor and Oviya Jaisankar Youth volunteers: Aadya, Aanya, Abisrishti, Adithi, Akshith, Akshita, Amogh M, Anirvin, Ankita, Chakrikaa, Deekshitha, Harsh, Hrudya, Jishnu, Kushal, Nidhi, Nikhil, Oviya, Rakshan, Rishabh, Rishi A, Rishi C, Ruthvi, Sohan, Sai Sahasra, Sai Sri Ram, Sanjana, Sathvik, Shraya, Shruthi, Sriraam, Supraja, Tanay, Vahini, Varsha, Varun, Vedhya, Veena, Yathi Adult Volunteers: Asha, Jisha, Jyothi, Keerthi, Mythili, Nalini, Neha, Niveditha, Priya, Swathi, Vandana, Srinath. Mother's Day event link 5/13/2023 - Troy Stage Nature Center During this project, VT Seva Volunteers went to the Troy Nature Center where the volunteers learned about invasive species and also helped to clear an area of trees that were invasive in order to help the ecosystem. Project lead: Saisha Srivatsam Youth volunteers: Aakash S, Abhiram, Akshay, Ishan, Lalit Aditya, Nishant, Praneel, Tanay, Saisha, Saiabhiram, Saichakrika, Shrinidhi, Sneha, Varnika Adult Volunteers: Chandrasekar, Jaisankar, Priya, Ravinder, Shreya Troy nature center link 5/19/2023 - VT Seva Detroit Youth Board 4th Aniversiary Celebration(College Webinar) To celebrate the 4th anniversary of VT Seva Detroit, VT Seva hosted a College Guidance webinar. Ashleigh Taylor - founder of Empowered 4 College and a former University of Michigan Admissions Officer - covered application essentials: academics, testing resumes, recommendations, and essays. Both parents and youths joined and the event was a huge success! Adult volunteers attended this event to help it run smoothly. VT Seva Detroit Youth Board 4th Anniversary Celebration(College Webinar) FB Link 6/16/2023 - Walkathon Kickoff & 4th Youth Board In-Person Celebration This event started VT Seva’s 4th annual walkathon, it was a grand celebration that got the event off to a great start! The proceeds of the walkathon go to Angles of Hope – A family cancer foundation. Both Detroit youth board members and adult volunteers attended this event to make it a great success. 6/18/2023 - Father’s Day Greeting Cards Project VT Seva volunteers handmade beautiful cards and distributed them to the seniors at Manoogian Manor and Oakmont Senior Communities as a celebration of Father’s Day. What a way to touch the hearts of so many on such a special occasion! Project leads: Rishabh Mavatoor and Oviya Jaisankar Youth volunteers: Aanya, Deekshitha, Nidhi, Oviya, Rishabh, Rishi C, Rishi A, Sai Sahasra, Sai Sriram, Shruthi, Kushal, Veena & Sriram Adult Volunteers: Nalini, Niveditha, Priya & Srinath Father's Day FB Link 6/26/2023 - VTS DET YB Webinar About Recycling By RRRASOC During this webinar on recycling and how it can help the earth, the volunteers learned a lot about how recycling works, why to recycle, and why some things can and can’t be recycled. This webinar also taught the volunteers how to be more conscious of what they are throwing away. It was overall a very informative webinar and a great opportunity as well. Youth volunteers: Adithi, Adhip, Deekshitha, Durga, Eashan, Jonath, Harsh, Hiba, Lalitaditya, Nirvan, Rishi A, Rishi C, Saisha, Saisahasra, Shruthi, Sneha, Sreenika, Sudeshna Adult Volunteers: Archana, Architha, Vanitha, Priya, Nalini Event FB Link 4/1/2023 - Ford Wellness Center Volunteering VT Seva helped Destined for Greatness in sorting clothing, books, food, kits for women, baby products, and oral hygiene assessment kits, the volunteers also helped clean the areas and move things from one place to another to help organize the center. All of this was done for their 13th annual Easter Basket and Easter clothing giveaway and completed in a span of 3 hours. The work that VT Seva has done here will benefit more than 500 Detroit families in need. Youth volunteers: Hrudya Kishore; Nikhil Aerabati; Lalitaditya Akkaraju; Tejas Raja; Vedhya Raja; Leo Schmidt Adult Volunteers: Raghunath Aerabati; Kishore; Rajesh Raja; Ravinder Akkaraju; Suresh Rajan & Vanitha Gopalan Ford wellness center event FB Link 4/15/2023 - Forgotten Harvest Volunteering VT Seva volunteers are on the cause of fighting hunger. Through this project, the volunteers sorted and packed food to be distributed to people in need. They also loaded the pre-sorted boxes onto the correct pallets, dismantled the boxes that the food came in, cleaned and sanitized the tables, and stowed them away just to name a few. Through all of this hard work, the volunteers had a huge impact – packing over 7500 pounds of food all within the span of 3 hours! Youth volunteers: Nikhil Aerabati, Kushal Durga, Amogh Mavatoor, Rishabh Mavatoor, Aditya Prayagi, Nitin Ramkumar, Saisha Srivatsan, Sathvik Surapaneni, Siva Suravarapu Adult Volunteers: Vandana Durga, Vaishnavi Aerabati, Shalini Musunuru, Meena Ramkumar, Srivatsan Santhanam Forgotten harvest volunteering FB link 4/22/2023 - VT Seva Table Tennis and Badminton tournament VT Seva hosted a tournament for both youth and adults to play badminton or table tennis as a fundraiser to promote their main cause of helping visually challenged children and tribal school students’ education. This event was held at SPARC Arena in Novi and was a huge success! Adult volunteers attended this event to help it run smoothly. VT Seva Table Tennis and Badminton Tournament FB Link 4/29/2023 - Litter Walk Annual Spring Cleanup Earth Day Activity For Earth Day – the day in which we bring awareness to the earth and its needs – VT Seva teamed up with the city of Farmington Hills, Michigan, and cleaned up the city roads. This is their 10th annual earth day cleanup. Not only did the volunteers make a huge impact on their community but they also learned a lot about littering and being community and environmentally-oriented citizens. Youth Volunteers: Jishnu Kadalam, Kushal Durga, Hrudya Kishore, Haji Muhinthan, Varshan Muhinthan, Aditya Prayagai, Amogh Mavatoor, Rishabh Mavatoor Adult Volunteers: Priya Prayagai, Niveditha Mavatoor, Kishore Anam, Vandana Durga, Vanitha Gopalan Litter walk event Link 5/13/2023 - Novi Police Department Appreciation Lunch Followed By Tour Of The Facility In order to honor National Police Week, VT Seva Detroit brought lunch to the Novi Police Department and a plaque expressing their “Thank You” for the officers and everything they do. We were fortunate enough to get a tour of the police department. This tour showed us a lot about the facility: places such as holding cells, arraignment area, dispatcher area, sergeant’s office, lieutenant’s office, briefing area, conference room, parking area, garage for repairs, training room, records area, officer cubicles, mailrooms, gym, and lunch area. Youth Volunteers: Amogh Mavatoor, Rishabh Mavatoor, Yathi Shekar Debbata, Hajanthan Muhinthan, Aditi Jethri, Abisrishti Ram, Jishnu Kandalam, Sohan Kancharla, Nikhil Aerabati, Raksha Samynathan, Nemish Debbata, Sathvik TirumalaKanduri Adult Volunteers: Suresh Rajan, Srinathbabu Karnati, Sreenivas Cheemalamarri, Ram V Ramanathan, Durga Nalini S, Asha Puranam, Poojitha Bollineni, Shobana Balasubramanian, Samynathan Thirunavukkarasu, Niveditha Mavatoor, Swati Debbara, Vanitha Gopalan Novi police department event link April-May 2023 - Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive VT Seva volunteers packaged up non-perishable food items and mailed them to gleaners' foodbank via the postal service. This at-home project had a massive impact, causing 1600 bags of nonperishable food to be folded and mailed to gleaners where they will be given to people in need. Youth volunteers: Kaustubh Dingari, Hajanthan Muhinthan, Samhith Enganti, Varshan Muhinthan, Nikhil Aerabati, Varun Aerabati, Bindhya Suriyanarayanan, Sruthi Adduri, Rishi Adduri, Nithin Ramkumar, Siva Suryavarapu, Akshitha Mylavarapu, Amogh Mavatoor, Rishabh Mavatoor, Kushal Durga, Adithi Jeithri, Sriram Hebbar, Akshita Narla,Abisrishti Ram, Supraja Pattangi, Shraya Ved, Pranav Kota, Sai Sri Ram Karnati, Rohan Patil, Veeksha Somula, Vrishnak Somula, Sathvik TirumalaKanduri, Chakrikaa kurapati, Hrudya kishore Stamp out hunger food drive FB link 5/20/2023 - Forgotten Harvest Volunteering VT Seva volunteers went back to the forgotten harvest to package up food, clean and sanitize tables, took the garbage out, dismantle the boxes that the food came in, and much more. In fact, this time the volunteers made a 4500-pound increase in the food packaged, totaling over 12000 pounds. Youth volunteers: Lalitaditya Akkaraju, Eesha chigullapally, Rishabh Mavatoor, Sai Sahasra Nammuduri, Akshith Ashwanth, Yana Panchal, Siya Sandeep, Saisha Srivatsan, Siva Suravarapu, Shraya Ved. Adult Volunteers: Vandana Durga, Vanitha Gopalan, Raghunath Nammduri, Nirmala Srivatsan, Suresh Rajan, Ravinder Akkaraju Forgotten Harvest FB Link 6/10/2023 - VT Seva Detroit Mercado Food Hub Volunteering During this event at the Mercado Food hub VT Seva volunteers performed a wide range of tasks which had a massive impact! Some of the tasks that were done are: prepping the warehouse for the packing of food, packing produce into carts to be loaded into cars, packing emergency carts, loading the carts into the cars, sweeping and mopping the floors, and taking the garbage out. All of this hard work by the volunteers resulted in 7400 pounds of food being packed for 123 families in a span of 5 hours. Youth volunteers: Jishnu Kandalam, Saisha Srivatsan, Shraya Ved Adult Volunteers: Vandana Durga, Srivatsan Santhanam, Vanitha Gopalan, Neha Ved 6/24/2023 - VT Seva Soccer Tournament VT Seva hosted a tournament for youth ages 6 and above to play soccer as a fundraiser to champion their main cause of helping visually challenged children and tribal school students’ education. This event was held at total sports in Novi and is the 4th annual soccer tournament for a cause that VT Seva has held. Adult volunteers attended this event to help it run smoothly. Blog Created by: Lalitaditya Akkaraju Video Created by: Shreya Shetty Blog Edited and Published by: Nandini Cheemalamarri

"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak" - Rachel Zoe As we approached the deadline of 7/31/23, submission form is closed. Thanks to all who submitted the designs. Calling all our amazing & creative youth talents to help us design our new T-shirt! Winning design will be printed on the T-shirt. It will be a gratifying moment for the designer to have their design worn by VT Seva Volunteers throughout the Nation! We look forward to receiving your submissions for the contest. Here are some general guidelines for your design submissions. Please go through the below guidelines & submit your creativity by JULY 31st , 2023, contest is open to all youth between the age of 8 yrs. and 18 yrs. Submissions Must follow the below rules: · be limited to a maximum of 1 submission per participant · Submissions can be hand drawn or digital format using any software. Upload the output of your artwork in either of the listed formats: .PDF, .DOCX, .JPG, OR .TIFF, · be the original artwork/creations of the participants · be related to one or more of the 4 pillars of VT Seva · be submitted in high resolution format by July 31st, 2023 · be contained in one page - letter size (8.5"x11"), one sided only · contain VT Seva Logo · not have been previously published or submitted to any other contest/competition · not contain profanity, trademarks, or other organization's logos · not contain any copyrighted works of any other person, organization, or business By submitting an entry, all participants agree · to all the contest rules · that all submissions will be the property of VT Seva and VT Seva has all rights over the submission · to sign a waiver to allow VT Seva the use of their design, free of charge, for any and all printing and promotional purpose · to submit the original art to the local VT Seva branch upon winning · contest is subject to cane based on responses. VT Seva team can update the rules or cancel the contest without advance or prior notice Based on the number of design submissions and upon meeting all the guidelines mentioned above we will go for a voting process during the #BOUNDLESS event ‘Celebrating VT Seva volunteerism 2022 and International youth day’ on August 19th, 2023. There is a chance that a design may get chosen & printed on VT Seva t-shirts. If you have any questions, please email NYD@vtsworld.org

History doesn’t change the past, but likely it changes the future - Anonymous On August 15, 2021 , India celebrated its 75th Independence Day . British traders had established outposts in the Indian subcontinent by the 17th century. Through overwhelming military strength, the East India Company fought and annexed local kingdoms and established themselves as the dominant force in India by the 18th century. Fighting bravely against unjust taxation and oppression, many great Indian leaders served as martyrs for freedom. To honor their legacy, the members of the VT Seva Youth Board researched their stories to create detailed infographics. Oviya , a member of the Detroit youth board , proposed this project as a way to pay homage to those responsible for India’s independence. Atlanta, Austin, the Bay Area, and Cary youth team joined the Detroit team in appreciating these freedom fighters on the anniversary of India’s independence. A total of 86 youth board members studied 55 different leaders and created informational posters for each day of the month of August. These informational posters spread awareness about the multi-faceted approach to India’s freedom. Our history nurtures our personal identity in an intercultural world. As Marcus Garvey once said, “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots” . This project allowed both our youth volunteers and all those who saw the informational posters to connect with their roots and learn more about India’s rich history. Together, we were able to spread awareness about the freedom fighters who sacrificed everything for their country. By learning about the price of freedom, a gift we so often take for granted, we learn to be grateful for what we have and are empowered to fight for further change. Enjoy the video collage of all the informational posters made by all the youths Youth Board Members who participated in this project are Detroit : Oviya Jaisankar, Harish Jaisankar, Rashmita Raghunathan, Rachana Raghunathan, Anand Brijesh, Sravya Saranu, Hiba Zyna, Sai Sri Ram Karnati, Veeksha Somula, Abhinav Suresh, Eesha Chigullapally, Kaustubh Dingari, Udhayaa Arul, Ishani Shetty, Pavan Nagaraj, Srihari Hebbar, Rohan Patil, Amogh Pisipati, Aditi Jethri Kompally, Hrudya Kishore, Nikita Talwar, Sanjay Sundarapandiyan, Nirvan Daram, Kalki Renga Anand, Adhvaith Suresh, Eashan Daram, Pranav Maringanti, Adhip Pisipati, Shruthi Adduri, Siddharth Tirumala Kanduri and Niharika prabhu Atlanta : Shreyas Medicherla, Samved Gazzala, Lohitaksh Peram, Dharanija Peram, Adithya Upadhyayula, Sri Ravali Sripathi, , Rikhil Sai Duvvuri, Satya Eesaana Charit Kasibhatta, Charishma Bijum, Pranav Arkatala, Siri Arkatala, Srimayi Kukkadapu, Krishna Sripathi, Nikhila Mannepalli Austin : Ritwik Dendukuri, Aarah Sardesai, Saanvi Rudraraju, Divya Jaganath and Disha Murali Bay Area : Hrishu Devulapalli, Nidhi Parthasarathy, Arjun Dhruv, Nick Kataria, Anushka Jain, Srujan Chaganti, Dhruv Sastry, Aarna Agrawal, Simran Pandey, Harmya Cary : Aneesh Yarlagadda, Sathvik, Parnika, Pavan, Esh, Shirom, Lasya, Srini, Anuj Pannala, Ishani, Jhansi, Lakshmi Krutica Annugu and Anish Thanks to all the Youth Board members who participated in this project and mentors who mentored them.

#BOUNDLESS – Let’s celebrate the 2022 achievements & the incredible power of youth volunteerism. As often said, the mark of a good action is that it appears inevitable in retrospect. Come join us to look back & celebrate all the amazing achievements and accomplishments of 2022 by our amazing volunteers. #Boundless a youth led National event celebrating the incredible power of youth volunteerism. Let's gather virtually on August 19th at 3pm PST/5pm CST/6pm EST and gain inspiration to b e prof ound ly self less in the spirit of volunteerism. #Boundless #Boundless2022 #YouthVolunteers Watch Promo Videos at : https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLS8h--2_tYv5xiiCqk_tThQsiIzRxaXvM Meeting Link: https://bit.ly/3q9STv1

September 16TH, 2023 from 9:00 AM onwards at the Sand Volleyball Courts – 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield, MI 48706 One of the most awaited Sports events of VTSeva is back in action. With the amazing turnout back in 2022, we are excited to host the V T Seva Volleyball & Throwball Tournament benefiting the visually challenged children yet again in 2023. Please mark your calendar for Sept 16th, 2023, from 9:00 AM onwards at the Sand Volleyball Courts – 26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield, MI 48706. All proceeds from the event will go towards education, food, and clothing for visually challenged children of Nethra Vidyalaya & Tribal School children. Join us in making this event a successful one either as a Player or as an audience. Register as a Team at: Rules & Regulations: All Teams/Individual Players must go through the rules & regulations and sign the Waiver Form.

Its been a tremendous year of achievements and community service in 2022. Below are our highlights

VT Seva Seattle and Enso center together collaborating to conduct this workshop. Excited to host a Women's Safety & Self Defense Workshop. It is an excellent opportunity for us to come together and raise awareness about the importance of Self-defense which builds self-esteem and allow us to find safety in difficult situations. Proceeds will go to Cancer screening camps for rural women in India.

VT Seva Atlanta youths and ladies participated in the Self Defense session on October 8th, 2022. More than 50 participants enjoyed learning various defensive and offensive self defense techniques. This session was much appreciated by all the participants. In fact, few participants said that this the best session ever that VT Seva has done for the Atlanta community. For the ATL youths - it’s an awesome session. According to them, no volunteer org has provided them a self defense session before which is so relevant in modern times, very useful in physical & mental well-being, and highly rewarding. This self defense session was our pilot study which succeeded beyond our imagination by not only energizing & synergizing VT Atlanta community but also helping us in raising $1000 for the education of blind / visually challenged kids in India. Overall it was a very fulfilling & rewarding experience for all. ATL VT Seva Team

VT Seva Dallas recently held a volunteering activity at Grace Food Pantry, where we had a great turnout of youth volunteers who collaborated to pack 8 pallets in about 5 hours. To put this into perspective, 1 pallet contains about 45-50 cases, which is capable of feeding more than 700 people, and in consideration of that, our volunteers packed food that will serve more than 5,600 hungry people. We would like to extend our gratitude to all the volunteers for taking time out of their spring break to come and make a difference in the lives of thousands.

College preparation for your child is a multistage, years long process that involves building a holistic and compelling profile of your child for the college admissions committee. Best outcomes for college admissions means getting an admit in the preferred college, in the major of your student's preference, and with the maximum possible funding, grants and scholarships. As part of our awareness and informational activities for VT-Seva parents, we have arranged for a webinar on a guidance session for parents who are interested to learn how to plan for best outcomes for college admissions for your child. Please complete the form if you would like to join. Once the form is submitted, you will receive an email with the webinar link. Thank you Jupiter Education Services for sharing your expertise and your guidance on the admission process.