On 20^th January, 2013, at Bangalore Seva Café amazing ripples of kindness and love floated in the air. My friend Priti and I were greeted with huge smiles, hugs and warmth from other volunteers though we met them for first or second time. Later, Priti and I were part of decoration & hospitality team, bestowing the same experience on the guests who came in.

 

It was amazing, how a warm welcome could bring an immediate shift from a restricted, constrained behaviour with which a stranger entered. Smiles, care and hugs made the Seva café environment bright, warm and joyful. Few strangers were curious to experience "What is on" in spite of wait time or non-availability of food. No one fought over getting late or occupying seats first, guests were comfortable in being around, waiting and talking to ‘sevaks’. The feelings of abundance, of love, acceptance and sharing were transmitted throughout the space and still vibrate within me.

 

The tasks of hospitality, cooking, serving, entertaining, Smile cards, providing information and taking volunteer requests etc. were divided among volunteers. Service as a gift concept of the group, came alive in the work and environment.

 

Some volunteers took an initiative to tag other volunteers with anonymous gifts and Smile cards. This generated more joy and happiness. They took care of guests, interacted with compassion, answered queries, handed random quotations, kindness questions, Smile cards etc. to guests. Hand-made jewellery from the stall (a team who dream to help unemployed get employment, in making organic jewellery and linen etc.) was used to tag female volunteers, by Monal.

The cooking and serving team did a wonderful job. The delicious dishes on menu were ready on time and liked by guests.

Generally, people seem to be running short of time, but here our guests did not show any hurry. They read inspirational posters, wrote answers to awakening questions or postcards; enquired about Servicespace activities and picked up a few Smile cards; expressed a desire to volunteer for next Seva café; etc.
 

Our guests wrote feedback willingly & patiently and hung it on the tree. Everyone was all smiles and happy to be around for a few moments after lunch, rather than leaving immediately. 

The musical programme by young volunteers was mind blowing and everyone was impressed with their creativity and talent. I especially liked the song, ‘Ruh ki pukaar…’ which was written in just 1 day and sung beautifully for the audience. We loved the spirit of the boys and everyone wanted them back for next Seva café. "You are hired", Nipun, Susheel and others announced for the band, during the volunteer gathering at the end of the day.
 

Our host Kapila, from ‘Vriksh’ was overwhelmed with the service, the timeliness and presentation which were delivered by our inexperienced volunteers in a limited timeframe. According to her, the quality of work and awesome experience of guests were generated through feelings behind the effort.

The team of ‘sevaks’ appreciated the ‘Vriksh’ restaurant employees, who were supportive, respectful and worked hard. Their efforts were applauded as someone commented that,"We are having pain in legs just doing cooking and service for half day and we appreciate your efforts in daily job".

 

Reactions of few seniors are worth mentioning, as one gentleman mentioned, "I came in and thought I should volunteer to keep myself occupied but didn’t see a need, as there were enough volunteers. However, I felt very comfortable and part of the group all through." He also appreciated this as a new, un-constrained approach to connecting and living life.
 

Another guest, brought her parents, who initially had inhibitions of What Seva café could be like and whether it was a means of converting ‘black money to white’. :) They seemed to be overwhelmed with the atmosphere. As she tearfully said later, "My dad is a man of few words; however he was hugging people before he left." She was sure; they would want to come again.
 

Sheetal, Susheel and few volunteers tagged Susheel’s old neighbour, who could not walk down to the café himself. When they served him food at his place and spent few minutes conversing with him, he summed it up by saying "I have hope for future".
 

I felt blessed by the elderly who hugged or greeted us at the gate; they honoured us in an implicit way.

 

Two servers mentioned they could see the guests respecting them back instead of placing orders in usual way. Few guests did not allow our lady volunteer to take their plates back; they got up and walked themselves to the kitchen with their soiled plates.

 

The ripples impacted a 5 year old named Siddharth too. He stood at the site while the tree was being planted outside ‘Vriksh’ and the plant was named ‘Siddhartha’ by Anupreet and Nipun.