Community Conversations
This month we are celebrating the spirit of volunteerism. Time and effort is one of the most important types of giving, and in this space we have tried to know what motivates our community members to make this offering.
Diti Pitre
In a culture and community like ours, where familial relationships and friendships are so important, time and effort are the most important ways to nurture these ties. Any relationship in your life is only as good and as healthy as the time and effort you put in to strengthen these personal ties to each other. Society or community is made up of a network of such personal relationships and hence, that is usually a strong motivator to offer your own time and effort to someone else.
Anshika Shekhar
I volunteer to give back to the community I come from. This is a common reason for many people, but for me it’s more about appreciating the organizations that have helped me and have connected me to who I am, and then adding to them. For example, with IAGB I volunteer as the director of the Youth newsletter and doing this helps me to contribute to an organization I feel close with. Additionally, volunteering and donating my time to a cause helps me feel less stressed and focus on something during very hectic times, as I found virtual tutoring a way for me to have an activity I enjoyed and was able to do during the Pandemic and quarantine.
Debarati Chowdhury
I am very passionate about teaching the elements of Indian classical music to kids who are growing in a very different ecosystem and are alien to Indian culture and philosophy.
I had an amazing experience at Hatch Memorial Shell when I was given a chance to arrange a classical music workshop. People of all ages showed interest and enjoyed this workshop. My little students too got an opportunity to perform at India’s Independence Day celebration event this year. It was a memorable event for all of us.
Devki Salvi
It has been rightly said that ‘no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted’. To me, giving back to the community is very important. What makes others feel good, in return makes me feel good. Am glad I have been a part of IAGB Thanksgiving Food Drive, which helps with donations to ‘Project Just Because’ in Hopkinton and a few other food pantries. Not only that, but I have also been a proud member of New England Leherein, a non-profit organization committed to the mission of educating, encouraging, and empowering underprivileged kids in India. I believe in our mission that by lending a hand to the children in need, we are making a small difference in the world.
Deepa Agrawal
I was raised in a big joint family where helping others and giving back to the community were dearly valued. I was fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful people after moving to the USA, which inspired me again to give back to the community. My whole family has been active in numerous Indian organizations. I am the Director and a Teacher at Shishu Bharti School, also Secretary of IAB’s (Indian American for Burlington), and a very active volunteer in both Hindi Minch and IAGB (Indian American of Greater Boston)
IAGB has been instrumental in uniting the Indian community and promoting India’s rich culture, and it has been a real joy for me to help out here. Will continue contributing in the future too.