Namaste! As part of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh’s (HSS) continued civic engagement efforts, our volunteers held virtual meetings with Foster City’s police chief Tracy Avelar (8/1) and Vice Mayor Sanjay Gehani (8/2). The focal points were Universal oneness day revered as “Raksha Bandhan”, Yoga activities, Sewa Diwali and various other community initiatives by HSS.
Swami Vivekananda Ji enlightened the attendees on universal oneness by saying “All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything”. HSS celebrates Rakhsa Bandhan as Universal Oneness day across the globe. During the past years HSS volunteers had visited first-responders including Law enforcement officers, Fire-fighters and social workers to thank them for their service and wished good health and longevity. Kids tied traditional “Rakhi” on their wrist as a token of appreciation.
Due to the pandemic this year we improvised the celebrations and made it all virtual, an hour-long meeting with Police Chief Tracy, presentations on HSS organization and its activities including Universal Oneness Day and Yoga were given. Kids who participated in the online session shared their thoughts and also presented handmade e-“Thank You” cards. Additionally, areas for future programs like conducting Yoga activities for the police department, and hosting community meetings for people’s interaction were discussed.
After Police chief's meeting we had a virtual meet with Vice Mayor of Foster City (CA), Mr. Sanjay Gehani. It was scheduled for 45 min but was extended by an hour due.
Besides presentations on HSS and Universal Oneness Day, Sewa Diwali activities were presented.
Mr. Gehani, a Hindu from Sindhi community talked about how his family had to flee from Pakistan during partition, and grew up in Belmont area), could relate and advise on many fronts. He was very appreciative of all the HSS’s social welfare activities and had few collaboration ideas for the near future.
These Civic engagements have successfully generated a sense of appreciation and boosted everyone’s confidence in tackling social issues when we all put our energies together. Especially in these tough times of COVID-19, the importance of our philosophy “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” which means “whole world is one single family” is more relevant than ever.
