Social Service
In December 2011, I volunteered in The Youth Program at the 20th World Petroleum Congress, Doha, Qatar. Held every three years, the World Petroleum Congress is the largest and most reputable oil and gas industry gathering in the world. The 20th WPC was hosted by Qatar Petroleum and organised at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) in Doha, from 4-8 December 2011.
In the summers of 2013 and 2014, I approached Rotary Club of Rajkot, Gujarat to support my initiative that was aimed at connecting the neighbouring rural populations to rest of the world through internet.
I then searched for villages in Rajkot’s neighbourhood. Finally, villages in Kotda, Sangani, Nyara and Khambada were selected for the awareness program which was to be carried out 12-22 miles from my residence in the city. The project’s objective was to raise awareness about internet and its endless applications that could be useful for the rural population. I wanted the people to be aware about the opportunities they could utilize for financial and social benefits. The transport and presentation arrangements were made once Rotary Club of Rajkot affirmed my initiative to educate over 500 rural children.
My family and I have been annually visiting the Shri Ramnik Kunwarba Vrudhashram, an old age home in Rajkot, Gujarat, India for more than 6 years now. During my summer vacations whenever I visit my grandparents’ home, my family has made it a custom to also visit and serve the senior citizens in the old age home for a few weeks. In the “vrudhashram”, assisting the elders in their daily chores, carrying heavy stuff for them and receiving their heartfelt blessings, has always provided me deep emotional satisfaction. I also get to learn a lot by speaking to the elders about philosophy, politics and life experiences in general.
While working to seize wastage of resources like water and electricity at school, I aimed to contribute at larger platforms and legal forums. I got my opportunity during the Doha 2012 UN Climate Change Conference COP18 | CMP8. I decided to participate as a volunteer and assist the conference delegates to address the burning ecological issues in the region. Since I had already been involved in the same volunteer group at the 20th World Petroleum Congress in December 2011, this time I had been promoted to the position of Assistant Manager of the Work Force and Operations Team.