There’s a certain magic in quiet corners. Arriving at the 1 Day Volunteer Camp (our Annual Volunteers’ Retreat), I staked out my usual spot—a corner chair by the window, a wall-fan humming nearby—ready for a day that promised both reflection and rejuvenation.
As the inaugural lamp was lit and the familiar chords of the Youth for Seva (YFS) anthem filled the room, my mind didn’t just stay in the present. it drifted back to where it all began
From Corporate Boardrooms to Classroom Chaos
My first ever batch of NMMS students from Srinagara Government High School
My journey started during the dark days of the pandemic. A simple message from a friend, Deepa, about supporting a family in need sparked a realization, after 25 years in IT, I had the time and the gratitude to give back.
Celebrating the Festival of Navaratri with my students
I’ve always wanted to be a teacher—not for the title, but as a tribute to those who shaped me. I chose the NMMS (National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship) project, thinking my corporate experience with global clients had prepared me for anything. I was wrong.
On Day 1 at Srinagara Government Primary School, a bright young student looked at me and said: “Sir, none in the class are in a mood to study today, so please come tomorrow and we shall see.”
That moment of brutal honesty didn’t make me angry, it made me smile. It was the start of a humbling six-week transformation where I went from a stranger to a mentor for 31 unique students, learning their names, their strengths, and exactly where they needed a push.
Wisdom from the Stage: The 3 H’s and “India Inspires”
The retreat wasn’t just about looking back; it was about fuelling the future. We heard from incredible leaders who reminded us why we do what we do.
Smt. Savitha Sulugodu (CEO, SVYM): Shared the “3 Hs” philosophy—Heads to Think, Hearts to Feel, and Hands to Work. She reminded us that leadership in service is rooted in Truth, Non-violence, and the courage to let go (Thyaga).
Shri. Bharat Bhatta: A true “Change Maker” who turned his volunteer spirit into the Shrigandha Foundation, now supporting over 120 students.
Shri. Pramod Nataraj: Delivered a high-octane “India Inspires” quiz. His energy was so infectious it made us completely forget we were 30 minutes late for lunch!
More Than Just a Meal: Seva in Every Detail
Even our lunch was a lesson in service. In partnership with Adamya Chetana, we followed a “Green” protocol using a Plate Bank. No plastic, no waste—just steel plates that every volunteer, young and old, helped wash afterward. It was a beautiful reminder that Seva (selfless service) is the highest form of volunteering.
The Secret to Longevity in Service
YFS Founder Shri. Venkatesh Murthy ji closed the day with a session on Resilience in Service. His message was clear:
Find your Purpose: It is the ultimate motivator. He likened the path of a volunteer to the devotion of Hanuman ji—where service isn’t a chore, but a way to dissolve the ego and find “Mahadananda” (supreme joy).
ಸೇವೆಯಂಬ ಯಜ್ಞದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಮಿಧೆಯಂತೆ ಉರಿಯುವ / Let us burn like the twig (fuel) in the auspicious fire of Sevā
The highlight of the day was meeting Harsha and Sadhana. Seeing Sadhana—once an NMMS student mentored by YFS, now a Plus-2 graduate heading for university—brought everything full circle.
We left the retreat with the words of the YFS anthem ringing in our ears: Let us burn like the twig in the auspicious fire of Seva. We arrived as individuals; we left as a collective flame, already dreaming of our next two-day retreat in the heart of nature.
Nagesh Mallikarjun
Volunteer from Bengaluru VM team.