Seva Bharati Jaipur Annual Festival

Dattatreya Hosabale, Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), stated that the purpose of *seva* (service) is not merely to provide amenities to those in need, but also to awaken a sense of self-respect, self-reliance, and *purushartha* (individual and collective endeavor) within them. Service should be such that those who receive it are empowered to become those who provide it. He urged the more fortunate members of society to visit underserved communities and build deep, personal bonds with the people living there.
He stated that 257 'seva bastis' (service settlements) have been identified in Jaipur. There is a need to work in these areas toward education, healthcare, self-reliance, security, and self-respect. Sangh volunteers began using the term 'seva basti'—in place of 'malin basti' (slum)—with the specific intent that these areas should be viewed not through the lens of deprivation, but as centers for service and social responsibility.
Organizations associated with Seva Bharati are conducting approximately 150,000 service initiatives—ranging from small to large—across the country. Alongside volunteers, many other members of society are also contributing to these efforts. It was noted that there is no shortage of people in society willing to provide financial support or participate directly in service-oriented work; what is needed is to awaken this potential and the spirit of service.