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Sewa conference focuses on collective action and social impact
The organization highlighted growth in its nationwide outreach programs, student initiatives and volunteer engagement during the two-day gathering.
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Staff Reporter - Thu, 07, May 2026
- 18:10 EDT
- 16
Members of Sewa International’s Board of Directors, Advisory Board, executive team, chapter presidents, coordinators, and other functionaries convened at Sewa’s 20th National Conference at Om Ashram, in San Antonio, Texas / Handout
A call for collective, community-driven development and institutional reimagination marked the 20th national conference of Sewa International, held May 2–3 at Om Ashram in San Antonio.
More than 170 volunteers and leaders from 25 chapters attended the conference, themed “Strategic Horizons & Operational Excellence.” Participants included members of Sewa International’s board of directors, advisory board, executive team, chapter presidents, coordinators, and other functionaries.
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Delivering the keynote address, Sachin Chaturvedi, vice chancellor of Nalanda University, said Sewa International was “bringing forward the power of consolidation and collective strength by harnessing organizational strength to drive meaningful social transformation.”
From left to right, sitting: Dr. Hetal Nayak, an Anesthesiologist; Saumitra Gokhale, a Sewa advisor; Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, Vice Chancellor of Nalanda University; Suresh Jain, the chairman of Sewa’s Board; & Srikanth Gundavarapu, Sewa USA’s President at Sewa’s 20th National Conference at Om Ashram, in San Antonio, Texas / HandoutThe conference highlighted Sewa’s focus on volunteer-driven community engagement and long-term social initiatives.
Chaturvedi said development models must shift toward a broader ecosystem-based approach. “The way we look at humanity must change, and we must move toward a collective, cosmic perspective, where the unit of concern is not just the individual but the entire ecosystem,” he said.
He added that such thinking aligned with Indian principles related to law, work, and prosperity, while cautioning against what he described as the limitations of purely human-centered development. Chaturvedi also criticized the Washington Consensus economic framework, saying it contributed to the exploitation of nature.
Drawing parallels with ancient India’s Nalanda tradition, he said Sewa International reflected a grassroots, community-embedded model driven by volunteers.
Among elected officials attending the conference were Jose Menendez, who represents Texas Senate District 26, John Lujan of District 118, and Ivalis Meza Gonzalez.
In his welcome remarks, Suresh Jain, chairman of Sewa’s Board, said the convention provided volunteers an opportunity to learn from one another and gain inspiration through shared experiences.
Srikanth Gundavarapu, president of Sewa International USA, released the organization’s annual report, describing it as a reflection of “compassion in action” and the organization’s impact.
He also announced new leadership positions focused on community engagement and promotion, information technology, youth engagement, grants, and thought leadership and policy.
In concluding remarks, Sewa advisor Saumitra Gokhale said the organization’s vision was to create “a harmonious world where humanity experiences oneness through service.”
Sewa International also presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to Ramesh Bhutada and Houston-based community leader Ramesh Shah in recognition of their decades of community service.
Founded in 2003, Sewa International said it has expanded to 46 chapters across the United States with more than 5,000 volunteers. According to the organization, it conducted 1,217 events and 800 outreach programs in 2025.
Its major initiatives include disaster recovery, family services, and LEAD, a national internship program for high school students that currently has about 1,753 participants.
Other programs include the SHE initiative, which reached more than 5,000 beneficiaries in 2025, and the Sponsor a Child project, which supported more than 3,800 students in India and 1,000 in Sri Lanka.
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