The Hindu Spiritual & Service Foundation (HSSF) Telangana chapter organized the Hindu Spiritual & Service Fair from November 7–10, 2024, at the Hyderabad Exhibition Grounds. This annual tradition aims to inspire young minds to embrace Bharatiya values, ethical responsibility, and environmental stewardship through engaging, hands-on experiences. Known for its inspiring line-up of cultural activities and spiritual discourses, the event attracted thousands of students, educators, and spiritual leaders over its four-day run.
Launch of the Fair
The fair was inaugurated on November 7 by Sri Sri Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swami, with esteemed spiritual leaders like Swami Shitikanthananda of the Ramakrishna Mission and former Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh Sri L.V. Subramanyam joining as special guests. Speaking at the opening, Chinna Jeeyar Swami highlighted the fair’s unique role in fostering Indian values among youth, urging students to “connect with the soul of Bharat.” He emphasized that true education involves instilling pride in India’s spiritual heritage. “Our education system must awaken self-reliance and pride in our Bharatiya identity,” he remarked, urging attendees to support initiatives that showcase India’s cultural heritage.
The HSSF Seva Fair 2024, the 30th in India and first in Telangana, showcased over 120 spiritual and community service organizations, including Isha Foundation, Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Patanjali, and Seva Bharati. With nearly 180 stalls, the event echoed its guiding mission, “Athmano Mokshartham Jagat Hitayacha”—serving humanity as a path to spiritual fulfillment—emphasizing genuine grassroots efforts over commercialism or promotions.
Day 1: Focus on Service and Cultural Identity
On the first day, stalls came alive as visitors explored the six main themes around which the fair was organized: forest conservation, ecological preservation, environmental sustainability, family values, women’s honor, and patriotism. Sri Bhagayya, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarini Sadasya, emphasized that these themes represent the pillars of Bharatiya society, built on centuries-old wisdom.
One visitor noted, “Seeing these young students engage with the concept of seva, or service, is heartening. This fair is a testament to our values of compassion and selflessness.”
Gunwant Singh Kothari, HSSF-IMCTF All India Coordinator, spoke about the foundational mission of the fair. “This exhibition highlights the spirit of service inherent in Hindu Dharma,” he said, pointing to the strong turnout from schools across Hyderabad. Organizers expected 5,000 students daily, accompanied by 1,000 school representatives.
Day 2: Celebrating Kanyavandanam, Prakruti Vandanam, and Naari Vandanam
Day two featured an array of cultural tributes: Kanyavandanam, Prakruti Vandanam, and Naari Vandanam, each focused on a specific theme and designed to inspire reverence and responsibility among the youth.
Kanyavandanam: Held in the morning, this program celebrated the divine femininity in young girls, as boys performed a respectful ceremony by washing their feet and offering flowers. “This act reminds us to respect women as embodiments of divinity,” said Dr. Ananthalakshmi, a spiritual leader at the event. The ceremony left both students and elders deeply moved, as it symbolised a commitment to honor and protect girls and women.
Prakruti Vandanam: In the afternoon, students engaged in this nature-centric program, which emphasized the importance of environmental conservation. Retired IFS officer R. Shobha shared insights on nature’s vital resources, stressing that “every tree conserved contributes to the well-being of all life.” Students took home saplings and pledged to care for them as symbols of their role as custodians of the Earth.
Naari Vandanam (Mahila Samman): The final program of the day, Naari Vandanam, highlighted the indispensable role of women in society. S. Vijayabharati, acting chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, spoke passionately about respecting women, aligning her message with the Vedantic ideal of equality. Gangadhara Shastri, Chairman of the Bhagavad Gita Foundation, emphasized that respect for women and their contributions is woven into Hindu Dharma.
Minister Bandi Sanjay attended the exhibition on Day 2, praising the array of organizations dedicated to service, remarking, “The spirit of seva shown here is truly inspiring. This exhibition shines a light on unsung heroes serving without public acknowledgment, reinforcing that dharma and seva are at the heart of our culture.”
Day 3: Guru Vandanam & Matru-Pitru Vandanam
On the third day, programs focused on Guru Vandanam and Matru-Pitru Vandanam, paying homage to teachers and parents. Students demonstrated heartfelt respect by offering flowers and touching the feet of elders, symbolizing gratitude and reverence for family values.
Sri Sthithikanthanananda Swami of the Ramakrishna Mission reminded students that honoring one’s parents and teachers is an integral part of the Hindu spiritual path. “These values form the bedrock of a strong society,” he explained. Students from various schools expressed their amazement at these age-old traditions, with one participant commenting, “I feel closer to my roots and more aware of my duty to my family.”
In addition, the tree plantation drive took place, with environmentalist Dusarla Satyanarayana guiding students on the significance of green cover. “Protecting trees is our duty to the future,” he stated, inspiring students to take ownership of environmental responsibility.
Day 4: Param Veer Vandanam and Closing Ceremony
Mata Pitru Vandana: Reverence for Family Values
On Sunday morning, the Mata Pitru Vandana program celebrated the greatness of parents and highlighted the importance of family values in Bharatiya culture. This ceremony, led by Swamini Suvidyamitra, Telangana in-charge of the Mata Amritanandamayi Trust, encouraged young attendees to recognize the vital role of family in shaping character and values. Spiritual Scientist VSR Murthy addressed the gathering, sharing insights into family-centered spirituality and its impact on personal growth.
Manaveeyam: Recognizing Social Service Champions
In the afternoon, the event shifted focus to social service with Manaveeyam, honoring individuals dedicated to uplifting society. Under the theme of “Humanity,” the program acknowledged the commitment of social workers who serve as role models for the community. Ekkala Chandrasekhar, Trustee of Rashtra Seva Bharati, spoke about the need to inspire youth to embrace service to society. His words encouraged attendees to view social work as a vital part of their own lives, bridging compassion with action.
Paramveer Vandana: Honouring National Heroes
The exhibition culminated in the Paramveer Vandana program, dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of India’s soldiers. Former Chief Justice of Patna High Court, Justice L. Narasimha Reddy, commended the Paramveer Vandana as a noble and moving tribute to these brave protectors of the nation. “Our soldiers are the apple of the nation’s eye,” he remarked, praising the event for instilling respect and gratitude toward the armed forces. Justice Reddy chaired the event, which featured Samajika Samarasata Vedika Convener Appala Prasad as a speaker and Subedar Major Yogendra Singh Yadav, Param Vir Chakra awardee, as the chief guest.
Inspiring Youth through Bharatiya Values
Throughout the exhibition, a series of vandana programs—dedicated to Indian culture, values, and traditions—were held to foster respect for family, community, and national responsibility. These programs offered students and young visitors an enriching understanding of social and cultural values central to India’s heritage. From the reverence for parents and elders to honoring selfless social service, the fair aimed to instill in youth a deeper appreciation for these ideals.
“Much-Needed for Today’s Youth”: A Teacher’s Perspective
Speaking with the organiser Weekly, Smt Ramadevi, Vice Principal, Sri Vidyaranya International School, shared how vital this event was for students, who often find themselves consumed by materialism and book-centered knowledge, overlooking life’s deeper purpose. “Events like these are so essential,” she noted. “They bring students closer to human values and teach them the true purpose of life.”
Priya Darshini, a volunteer at the Isha Foundation stall, was encouraged by the interest from younger generations. “It’s uplifting to see young visitors coming to learn about our work, which focuses on ‘human engineering’—nurturing compassion and empathy. It’s a positive sign for the future,” she remarked.
Sri Appala Prasad, convenor of Samajika Samarasata Vedika, Telangana, spoke passionately about how the exhibition represented Bharatiya values of service to humanity. “This event is a true demonstration of what Bharat stands for, where service to humanity is at the heart of Bharatiyata. Unlike the common misconception that Hindu organizations serve based on caste, the fair shows a spirit of inclusion, with organizations helping everyone, irrespective of caste or religion.”
He added, “This fair counters the divisive narrative often spread by foreign and anti-Bharat forces with hidden agendas. Here, we see hundreds of organisations working tirelessly in the background, motivated by selfless service rather than recognition.”
M Rammurthy, secretary of HSSF 2024, said we maintained an open and inclusive approach by waiving all fees for stall participants, allowing even smaller organizations, working on shoestring budgets or through personal contributions, to showcase their work alongside major national players.
He spoke passionately about the event’s deeper impact, seeing it as more than a gathering of service organizations. “This wasn’t just about showcasing social work,” he reflected, with a sense of purpose. “HSSF 2024 was a journey into our own cultural roots, a space where workshops and exhibits brought Bharatiya values to life. We wanted people to feel the richness of a life centered on simplicity, self-reliance, and community. It’s about inspiring everyone here to carry these traditions forward—not just as ideas, but as practices in their everyday lives.”
M.Chandrashekar, President HSSF (Telangana Chapter) shared his enthusiasm for the event’s success, emphasizing its purpose of instilling universal and human-centered values in young minds. He also emphasized that in addition to this objective, the fair was also a platform to connect all the stake holders, including government, NGOs, religious organisations, community organisations, individuals, Trusts, etc., offering various services and the persons who can avail these services.
Reflecting on the overwhelming participation from schools, he noted, “Each event was carefully crafted to nurture compassion and responsibility among students, and the cooperation we’ve seen from students, parents and school managements has been heartening.” He expressed pride in the event’s role as a hub for highlighting the remarkable work of service-oriented organizations and their dedicated volunteers, adding with optimism, “We’re already planning to bring HSSF back to Bhagyanagar in the future.”
Diverse Participation Across Sectors
The event drew a remarkable variety of organizations, from those with extensive national reach like the Isha Foundation, Jeeyar Educational Trust, Mata Amritanandamayi Educational Institutes, and Patanjali to smaller, locally-focused groups, creating a tapestry of collective service efforts. This inclusivity provided an essential platform for smaller, lesser-known groups to connect with a wide audience, fostering awareness of grassroots projects often overlooked by mainstream visibility.
A Grand Success for HSSF and IMCTF
The HSSF 2024, organized by the Hindu Spiritual and Service Foundation (HSSF) and the Initiative for Moral and Cultural Training Foundation (IMCTF), Drawing between 50,000 to 100,000 visitors every day over the course of the event, has set a new standard in engagement, showcasing impactful work in education, healthcare, and social welfare. The organisers received high praise for hosting a successful event that promoted service, spirituality, and cultural pride.
Through engaging displays and pamphlets, the event highlighted the contributions of various organizations, inspiring awareness and volunteerism among students and youth.
With no entrance fees for stalls, visitors were able to freely interact with representatives, learning directly from those active in fields like education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and social welfare. This free exchange nurtured authentic community relationships, encouraging genuine interest in social service among visitors.
A Platform for Genuine Impact and Trust-Building
In a landscape where some organizations operate with ulterior motives or rely heavily on external funding, often prioritizing visibility over impact, this fair stood as a refreshing example of transparency. Attendees observed that the event not only discouraged superficial engagement but also facilitated a natural contact point between genuine donors and dedicated organizations working on the ground. This authenticity resonated with visitors, creating a trust-based network that emphasized actual impact over marketing.
A Testament to Bharatiya Ideals and Selfless Service
A significant highlight was the announcement of Param Vir Chakra awardee Subedar Major Yogendra Singh Yadav as the brand ambassador for future HSSF events, symbolizing the fair’s dedication to honoring true heroes who serve selflessly. His endorsement lent a powerful message about the ethos of HSSF, reinforcing the core Bharatiya value of selfless service.
The fair’s success and its authentic approach have established it as more than an exhibition; it’s now viewed as a foundational movement in bringing service-driven organizations to the forefront of public consciousness, encouraging a legacy of true community welfare across India.
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