Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the spirit of service lies at the core of the Indian society and India. The same consciousness pervades all beings. This is the basic idea of Indian culture. Saint Kabir also said that “Sahib teri sahibi, sab ghat rahi samaya, jo mehndi ke paat mein, laali lakhi na jaaye.” This means God is in every human being but is not visible. Just as the red color is contained in the green henna leaf, but is not visible. Man’s contribution is visible through service and meditation.
Chief Minister Chouhan was addressing the concluding programme of G-20 Sewa Summit at Kushabhau Thackeray Convention Hall today. The Chief Minister also honoured numerous social workers. Several guests including the President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations Vinay Sahastrabuddhe were present in the programme.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that along with humans, we are also alert for the protection of animals and birds and the environment. Right from birth, you are fed the potion of service. There is a sense of live and let live in the mind. There can be no service without compassion and feeling of belongingness. There are stories in every village and town of the country, so it is said that “May religion be victorious, unrighteousness be destroyed, harmony among the living beings and the welfare of the world”. Bharat itself has given this mantra. Our sages said thousands of years ago that we should keep a sense of fraternity in mind for all beings to be happy. This Sewa Summit will strengthen the spirit of world humanity, universal brotherhood and service. This feeling makes life meaningful.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that India’s vision, in itself, is also the solution to entire world’s problems. Our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is also strengthening the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”. Planting trees should be done in conduct and not in speech, only then our role will be meaningful. Others are also inspired by such actions. I am satisfied that I have been planting saplings every day continuously for two and a half years. Every person should plant trees for the service of the earth and at least keeping in mind the oxygen of his requirement. Life becomes meaningful even by serving the downtrodden and the poor. He hoped that this conference would give a new meaning to the spirit of service.
Chief Minister Chouhan while welcoming all the participants from the country and abroad in the Civil: 20 Sewa Summit, said that every person wants to attain happiness of mind and soul. Even if a citizen is of criminal tendency, there is a feeling of kindness in him. For the happiness of the soul, a person engages in service work. The sense of attaining happiness of mind and soul provides inspiration for charity and service work. Chief Minister Chouhan also gave examples while sharing his experiences of practical life related to this.
CM Chouhan is originally a service yogi – Dr. Sahasrabuddhe
Dr. Vinay Sahastrabuddhe said that Chief Minister Chouhan is basically a service yogi. While serving the state for two decades, he has made a relation of affinity with the public. He connects the public with him, that is why he is called the maternal uncle of the state. Serving has been an integral part of our culture. The inclusion of the theme of service in the G-20 is a matter of pride in itself. The message of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” will inspire the whole world at the Seva Summit an held in India.
Release of two books dedicated to service
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan released 2 books – “Seva, Sushasan Aur Sahbhagita Ke Do Dashak” (2 Decades of Service, Good Governance and Participation ) and “Seva-Sense of Service: Compendium of Practices Across G-20 Countries”.
Seva Yogis honoured for doing excellent work
Chief Minister Chouhan honoured 16 Seva Yogis who did excellent work in the service sector by giving them shawls and mementos.
Recommendations of the Civil-20 Services Working Group
In the 2-day brainstorming session of the Civil summit, the Service Working Group discussed Service Policy, Innovation and Best Practices and presented 7 recommendations.
• Compiling exemplary service practices from G20 countries to promote cross-country learning, collaboration and co-operation among nations.
• To establish a global network of civil societies/voluntary organisations promoting the philosophy of service “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, thereby taking forward social work globally.
• State level service campaign by the government to encourage large scale participation in social work.
• To develop a policy/module to promote meaningful living and establish Seva as an inclusive term for selfless service like volunteering and philanthropy.
• To encourage active participation of the organisations and individuals by using all projects and programmes for service as a development tool. It also aims to establish a global alliance of individuals and CSOs to facilitate the service globally.
• Introducing service modules in academic courses to bridge the gap between theory and practice and involve children and youth in volunteer activities.
• To establish a strong support system for the elderly population, by harnessing the skills and knowledge of elders and retired people for nation-building.
Learnt about the culture of the state through Tribal Museum, Sanchi Stupa and exhibition
The delegates from G-20 countries were taken on a tour of the Tribal Museum of Bhopal, Sanchi Stupa located in the Raisen district, to introduce them to the culture and history of the state. An exhibition of the work of Responsible Tourism Mission and organisations working in the service sector was organised at the Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre. The representatives of G-20 became acquainted with the local tribal culture in the Tribal Museum and historical glory of the state from Sanchi Stupa. In the exhibition, officials of organisations working in the social sector like Ekatm Dham, Culture and Tourism Department, Gond Painting, Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad, Narmada Samagra, Bharat Vikas Parishad, Shivganga Samagra Gram Vikas Parishad apprised about the service work conducted in the state. Also introduced them to the art and handicrafts of the state.
Second day of conference
In the first session on the second day of the conference discussions were held on the guiding principles of service in the development process, promoting empowerment and enhancing community participation. In this, Dr. Vinay Sahastrabuddhe, Chairman of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Shri Arun Mishra, Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission and Shri BVR Subramaniam, Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog presented their views. The second session was conducted by SDM Jawad (Neemuch) Sushri Shivani Garg. In the last session of the second day, the speakers expressed their views on the role of spiritual organisations in social development through service.
