29 April 2023 /
APEEJAY EDUCATION AND INDIAN SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY NETWORK present C20 – SAMAJSHALA: SEWA-SENSE OF SERVICE, PHILANTHROPY AND VOLUNTEERISM
“RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING IT WAS IMBIBED WITHIN US, IN OUR DNA, THAT WHATEVER YOU DO WHATEVER YOU EARN, AT LEAST SPEND SOME ON PHILANTHROPY. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IS THE SOUL OF OUR ORGANISATION” says Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia, Chairperson, Apeejay Education.
APEEJAY EDUCATION & INDIAN SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY NETWORK (ISRN) recently joined together to present C-20 SAMAJSHALA, a mega awareness endeavour, under the umbrella of G20 – the inter-governmental forum comprising 19 countries and the European Union that works to address major issues related to global economy. The event took place at the auditorium of Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi.
Shri. Vijay K. Nambiar, C20 – Sherpa (Principal Coordinator), former Ambassador of India and Under-Secretary General of the United Nations graced the occasion as Chief Guest.
On this occasion, Shri Vijay K.Nambiar felicitated Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia, Chairperson, Apeejay Education, Co-Founder & Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University, Chairperson and President, Apeejay Stya and Svran Group.
“The sewa bhav must emanate spontaneously from within each individual and be reflected in a practical commitment in each towards fellow citizens. I have always been impressed by the significant thrust of community services in our various communities,” said Shri. Vijay K. Nambiar, C20 – Sherpa (Principal Coordinator), former Ambassador of India and Under-Secretary General of the United Nations.
“If there is any embodiment of ‘sewa’ it has to be Dr Stya Paul. Also, Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia has done so much in the field of education,” he added.
Mrs Berlia was the Guest of Honour in the event. She was felicitated for her outstanding contribution in ushering in the much required synergy between Education, and industry towards the cause of Nation Building. The event was also graced by Shri Nishant Berlia, Co-Promoter, Apeejay Stya & Svran Group.
Speaking on the occasion, Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia said, “Right from the beginning it was imbibed within us, in our DNA, that whatever you do whatever you earn, at least spend some on philanthropy. Social responsibility is the soul of our organisation”. Dwelling on the importance of social outreach, Mrs Berlia said, “Helping someone is something that each one has the ability and the power to do, no matter what our resources.”
“We have been trying to do Sewa through our institutions and organisations as well and be involved even while working. We have framed a curriculum where we talk about yoga, meditation, exposure to comparative philosophy, finding uniqueness in different religions and the similarities and being able to think critically and in that process learn to introspect,” She added.
“My father, Late Dr Stya Paul, who is the inspiration behind all Apeejay Education Institutions, always taught us that we are only stewards of the wealth we create and that there is a big difference between the concept of wealth and money,” Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia explained how creation of wealth has a social significance as it is created not only for the self but also for the people of an organisation and for the prosperity of society at large.
Shri. Santosh Gupta,India Coordinator-C20 Sewa Working Group & CEO, ISRN, also graced the function and said:
“Our objective is to globally establish the word SEWA since its meaning is very different from philanthropy and volunteerism. SEWA involves emotion – happiness. We endeavour to take this ‘sewa’ to people who have been denied the same. Those working in the education sector have the responsibility to ensure how we take this ‘sewa’ ahead. If we can incorporate ‘sewa’ in youth from the very beginning, they will be just as focused on people as well. This will not only help us build good educational institutes but also good human beings and a better world”.
“The objective of Civil20 is to facilitate how different civil societies can put forth their viewpoints. After discussion, these are then converted into policies to be presented at an event in July 2023. These will then be presented at G20 in September,” Shri. Santosh Gupta added.
Special Guest for the event was Prof. Dhirendra Pal Singh, Education Advisor to Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Former Chairman, UGC.
Also present were Dr (Mrs) Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General, Association of Indian Universities; Dr Nitin Malik, Registrar, Ambedkar University, Delhi; Shri. Jai Prakash Pandey, Director, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of HRD; Shri. Gunjan Tripathi, Director, Medhaj Techno Concept Private Limited and Shri. Kiran DM, Sous-Sherpa, Civil 20 India.
Brand ambassadors of C20 were also felicitated at the event by Mrs Sushma Paul Berlia and Shri Nishant Berlia.
Graced by a galaxy of dignitaries, the programme was also attended by eminent academicians, government functionaries, civil society members, teachers and students.
C20 India 2023 is one of the official Engagement Groups of the G20 that provides a platform for Civil Society Organizations (CSO) around the world to voice people’s aspirations to the world leaders of G20.
India’s C20 Presidency aims to focus on solving the socio-economic matters which touch the daily lives of the people, which include education, health, environment, technology and sewa (sense of service) and conducts regular consultations with national and international Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
C20 India will hold regular dialogues with G20 Engagement Groups along with other key actors to ensure adequate representation of civil society voices and aspirations in the G20 Leaders Summit to be held in September 2023.
