National Volunteering Week

Relevance of Volunteering
Daanam (as mentioned in the Upanishads) or the spirit of volunteerism is very much part of the
Indian civilization, culture and history. Concepts of volunteerism such as Nishkam Karma (self-less
or desire less action) among Hindus, Kar Seva (voluntary labour for the common good) among
Sikhs, and Zakat (alms-giving) among Muslims, are examples of volunteering practiced in different
religions in India. Therefore, it is evident that the spirit of giving and sharing runs in the genetic code
of many Indians, through generations of traditions and customs which nurture & practice
volunteerism.
The Salt Satyagrah, Quit India Movement and Chipko Movement have all been the much talked
about examples of voluntary acts of groups of people towards a cause. But India also has the lessor
known examples such as Mohammed Saif, from Kerala, who is changing lives through palliative care
and entrepreneurial training; Hutoi H. Chophy, from Nagaland, who is fighting against drug abuse
and its ill effects; Gaurav Gaur from Chandigarh, a former NYKS and NSS volunteer who continues his
mission to eradicate HIV/Aids. These individuals, in their respective capacities are patrons of change
that the society needs in todays day & age.
Gandhijis Mantra to our nations was - the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service
of others. He believed that selfless service or volunteerism by every citizen would allow India to
counter many perils and evils. Volunteerism has been recognized the world over as being a major
contributor to peace and development. People engage in volunteerism for a great variety of reasons:
to help in eliminating poverty, to improve basic health and education, to provide safe water supply
and adequate sanitation, to tackle environmental issues and climate change, to reduce the risk of
disasters and to combat social exclusion and conflict. Volunteerism also forms the backbone of many
national and international non-governmental organizations. It is present in the public sector and is
increasingly a feature of the private sector.

Concept of National Volunteering Week

Even though volunteerism plays such an important role in a nations progress, due importance and
recognition to the volunteers is still lacking, while millions of volunteers who are engaged with the
voluntary sector to provide their valuable support need more encouragement. Despite very large
number of Indians doing selfless service, many more need to join hands.
Countries around the world have National Volunteering Programs & Weeks to support individuals as
well as organizations of all sizes and mandates. Volunteer Weeks in USA, England, Australia and
Canada support all efforts to recognize and celebrate the great contributions of community
volunteers. Volunteering Days like the Sewa Day originating in UK (which takes up the concept of
Sewa embedded in Indian traditions), and the International Volunteering Day (5th December) offer
an opportunity for volunteer organizations and individual volunteers to make visible their
contributions and co-opt others in their work.
India too needs her own National Volunteering Week a week where millions of Indians can
celebrate the virtue of selfless service and share their common purpose to make India a developed,
inclusive and progressive nation, that has much to offer to the world. This week will unite the nation
in its spirits, its intentions and most importantly in its commitment to engage Indians from all walks
of life in celebrating, initiating and expanding the act of service for the common good.

This initiative is being driven by India@75, a grass roots and path breaking initiative for realising the
dream of an inclusive, sustainable and developed India by the year 2022, when India completes 75
years of Independence. India@75 seeks to bring together various stakeholders from industry,
academia, community groups, governments and individuals to translate this vision into a reality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concept
1. What is the concept behind India@75 and National Volunteering Week?
In the journey to transform this vision of India at 75 into a reality it is essential to take a
multi-stakeholder collaborative approach. Volunteerism and providing opportunities to
Indians from all walks of life to contribute and share for their nation is a corner stone for this
mission.
The National Volunteering Week is a week where millions of Indians can celebrate this virtue
of selfless service and share their common purpose to make India a developed, inclusive and
progressive nation, which has much to offer to the world. This week will unite the nation in
its spirits, its intentions and most importantly in its commitment to engage Indians from all
walks of life in celebrating, initiating and expanding the act of service for the common good.
2. When is the National Volunteering Week being held?
India has a National Youth Day on January 12th; with a focus to promote youth in the field of
education, art, culture and generate moral values with enlightenment of inner soul.
However, Indians of all ages need an occasion to come together to celebrate the virtues of
volunteerism.
India@75 deliberated this core issue in public domain with various NGOs/CSOs and
volunteer organizations, approximately 55 million people were reached out to during the
course of last one year, all have unequivocally endorsed the idea of celebrating a National
Volunteer Week culminating with the National Volunteer Day to recognize the strength and
value of this noble act.
In view of the foregoing, we on behalf of millions of Indians propose to celebrate
volunteerism over a week long activities commencing from January 12th the National Youth
Day and culminating on January 18th, which we urge to be declared as the National
Volunteer Day.
Participation
1. Why should an Indian participate in this week?
This week gives each and every one of us as individuals an opportunity to participate and
contribute to Indias growth by committing ourselves to the goal of self-reliance and
eventually realize and maximize our own potential. It is a platform that allows us to do our
bit for community and the nation. Participation in such a national event would help us
celebrate the on-going volunteering efforts by our fellow citizens & help us imbibe the same
ethos, multiplying the potential impact.
2. Who can volunteer in the National Volunteering Week?
Our basic motive of advocating the need of having a National Volunteering Week is to invite
participation from citizens of all walks of life. We have listed the multiple stakeholder groups
(detailed in Annexure A) who were sensitized towards volunteering through the help of

partner organisations as part of our exercise last year on promotion of volunteerism in the
country. This is just a start. We firmly believe that bringing together the power of the billion
Indians would help in creating a strong force of goodness & help recognise volunteerism as
an essential citizen responsibility.
3. What are the different causes and ways in which one can volunteer during the week?
The very essence of volunteering is that it must be a personal mission to make an impact
and not something which comes as a to-do list. The National Volunteering Week is an
exercise to generate awareness & promote volunteerism in the country. But we do
understand that many people may not be aware about the vast opportunities & areas of
impact present for volunteering in the country. We have thus suggested some activities that
you can take up (detailed in Annexure B).

Annexure A
Suggested List of Stakeholder Groups
Armed Forces/Local Police
Children
Civic Bodies
Corporate India
Doctors
Engineers
Entrepreneurs
Farmers
Government Workers
Informal Networks
Lawyers
Media (Print/TV/Radio)
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Politicians
Schools & Colleges
Self Help Groups
Senior Citizens
Street Vendors
Teachers
Women
Youth

Annexure B
Suggested List of Volunteering Week Activities
PURPOSE EDUCATION FOR ALL
Visit the local municipality school & offer to teach a class.
Volunteer in your nearest NGO to teach for some days in shelter homes.
Teach your house maid, driver or their children basic maths, language or banking skills.
Enrol into the Teach for India Program for one year.
Sponsor the education of a girl child.
PURPOSE CREATING AWARENESS ON PRESSING ISSUES
You can create awareness in your locality (it can be in both rural and urban areas) about child
rights; start by talking to your neighbours about not employing child labour in their homes. You
can enlist the help of organisation like CRY & UNICEF.
You can create awareness in your area & organisation about womens rights. Talk about
domestic violence and help train people to identify domestic violence & provide support to
those in need, they could be anyone from your domestic help to your friend. You can seek
support from the National Commission for Women or be a part of campaigns like Bell Bajao.
Such awareness campaigns are essential in both rural and urban areas.
PURPOSE HEALTH & SAFETY FOR ALL
If youre a doctor, you can provide free medical aid in low-income localities near your house.
You can help spread awareness about nutrition and nourishment (for both mother & child) in
the lower income groups. You can enlist help from doctors & hospitals to provide you with the
diet charts.
You can help spread awareness about pre-natal and post-pregnancy care to the expectant
mothers in villages, where such care is generally ignored, thus resulting in many cases of death
at birth.
You can help spread awareness about AIDs & its causes. You can enlist help from UNAIDS.
Organise self-defence classes in your institution (school/college) with the help of
paramilitary/police forces.
Insure your driver or house maid under different insurance schemes offered by organisations
like Swabhimaanya.
PURPOSE PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN NEED
If you are a lawyer, you can provide free legal-aid
If youre a programmer, you can create applications or websites for.
If youre a student of computer science, you can teach basic computer skills to the ones who
dont know.
PURPOSE CONSERVING THE ENVIRONMENT
Start a tree plantation campaign in your locality; enlist help from your RWA.
Talk about water conservation in your neighbourhood. Mobilize effort towards having rain
water harvesting methods implemented in your locality and in your house.
Organise clean-up drives in your locality & advocate the use of jute/cloth/paper bags instead of
plastic bags.
PURPOSE PROMOTE & PRESERVE THE INDIAN CULTURE
Teach folk dances/music to children in your locality.
Organise cultural programs for your neighbourhood/institution/organisation with local artists to
promote interest & appreciation for the traditional music & performing arts of the country. You
can enlist help from organisations like SPIC MACAY.