SewaDiwali Youth Volunteers Receive MLK Award From City of Aurora, Illinois
- Thirty young Indian Americans were recognized for their annual food drive during Diwali where they collect non-perishable food to give to food pantries in more than 200 cities across the U.S.
January may mark the month of welcoming a new year but it also signifies the remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a man who taught us that a person should never be judged by the color of their skin and that we should all be treated equally to promote peace-not prejudice.
Martin Luther King Jr was a man, who followed a common man who made a huge impact on India, Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi believed in peace and prosperity, and Martin Luther King had the same vision for his community. After all, he did believe that “Peace is more important than all justice.”
In Aurora, Illinois, SewaDiwali youth volunteers, which includes youths from HSS, Sewa, HUM, Aaina, and CAA (SewaDiwali partner organizations) were awarded the MLK Service Above Self award by the city of Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin. Thirty of us were awarded this award for something that Martin Luther King Jr. believed in.
As you may know, around Diwali time, HSS, Sewa, and many community organizations organize SewaDiwali Food Drive and collect non-perishable food to give to food pantries in more than 200 cities across the U.S. This process usually starts around late October before Diwali. In early November when teens and tweens like us go to every house in neighborhoods and tell them about the SewaDiwali Food Drive, most neighbors believe in us and want to help out. With that constant community support and trust, we were able to collect 3,000 pounds of food and $3000 for the Aurora Interfaith food pantry.
We are insanely grateful for the MLK award and recognition that the community has given to Sew Diwali Youths. We couldn’t have done it without the motivation to help those in need.
With the new year at the start, let’s vow ourselves to always help those in need, and to remember the impact that Martin Luther King Jr, has made on us. Always be thankful every day, and not just on Thanksgiving; you never know how much less someone has than you.
As Martin Luther King Jr. said: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others? ‘” “Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.”
Chicago-based Bansri Joshi, 14, has been an active participant in HSS (Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh) for the last nine years. Her interest in writing grew when she was about 5 years old and has been writing since then — whether it’s writing during the Young Authors program or just simply on a document.