26 February, 2026
Avneet Bedi
It began, as most meaningful journeys do – quietly. As the new academic year unfolded, our Middle School corridors buzzed with excitement – not only for fresh notebooks and new classrooms, but for a shared commitment. A commitment to live Seva not as a scheduled activity, but as a way of being, in a truly SBS way. What followed was never about ticking boxes. It was a gentle, steady awakening: of awareness, empathy, and responsibility, thoughtfully woven into the everyday experiences of our children.
The journey first took shape in colour and thread, with a group of students making rakhis for soldiers that seemed like a festive craft activity. Yet in that process, gratitude stretched beyond the classroom. As one student commented, “Making the rakhi taught me that seva means thinking of others before ourselves. Even though the soldiers don’t know us, we wanted them to feel like family.” Another added, “When we heard that they smiled after receiving our rakhis, I realized that kindness really does travel far.” In those moments, as rakhis became symbols of gratitude, Seva itself moved from symbolism to actualisation.
In the coming months, we witnessed service turning inward. During festive celebrations, students began to pause and truly see the Didis and Bhaiyas who keep school life running each day. Handmade cards, diyas, sweets, and simple thank-yous transformed routine exchanges into recognition. As one child shared, “I never realised how much they do.” Service, they discovered, begins with noticing – and we were laying the foundation of building empathy in students while adding layers to school community engagement.
When floods devastated communities across northern India, classrooms became spaces of reflection. Blankets and essentials were collected, sorted, folded, and packed before being sent to a Goonj drop centre. A quiet exchange captures the lesson: “It’s just one blanket,” said one student… “But together, it’s many!”, responded another. Our children were cultivating social awareness, and they got experiential learning through service in its most authentic form.
Creativity became another language of care. Climate-awareness posters filled our corridors. Eco-friendly notepads were crafted from reused paper. Beds for stray dogs emerged from upcycled materials. They owned responsibility – the shift from instruction to ownership was being felt – and it transpired into student leadership through service. Even joy became an offering when children preparing lemonade and snacks for support staff discovered that happiness multiplies when shared.
Partnerships deepen perspective. Interactions with the Barkat Foundation and a visit to a learning centre in Sultanpur Village, where the students were given handwoven woolen mufflers and other goods, transformed giving into connection. Sitting in mixed groups with the children they were visiting in the village – talking about cricket, siblings, festivals, and favourite foods, students realised something profound. “I thought we were going to help them,” one reflected. “But it felt like we just met new friends.” In that moment, our efforts at community engagement in education became relational, not just transactional. Seva shifted from giving to belonging.
This spirit of connection continued through a recent collaboration between the Middle School Seva Team and Barkat Foundation, which brought together 40 students, 20 from each group, for a thoughtful morning of interaction and shared learning. Facilitated by Sahidul Sir, the session began with warm ice-breakers and collaborative activities that encouraged listening, sharing, and empathy. A reflective exploration of the ‘inside self’ and ‘outside self’ invited students to think more deeply about who they are and how they relate to others. Simple yet meaningful conversations helped build understanding across backgrounds, reinforcing the idea that Seva is as much about connection and mutual learning as it is about service.
Yet the most powerful transformations remained inconspicuous. A child choosing to sit beside someone new. A promise to spend time with a grandparent. A daily greeting offered with sincerity. These are the quiet outcomes of our outreach programs.
Service may not appear in textbooks or report cards, but it shapes character. Middle School becomes a season not just of academic growth, but of continued moral and emotional development – where values-based education quietly prepares children for responsible citizenship.
Years later, formulas may fade and dates may blur. But the memory of tying a rakhi, packing a relief box, thanking a didi, laughing in Sultanpur, or sharing stories with new friends through a Barkat Foundation interaction will stay. Because when kindness becomes culture, children do not simply perform service – they live it, lead it, and carry forward the spirit of Seva into the wider world – and that’s what we at SBS take pride in.
Seva refers to selfless service performed with compassion and empathy. In education, Seva helps students develop social awareness, emotional intelligence, and a sense of responsibility towards others. By engaging in meaningful acts of service, children learn values that extend beyond academics and contribute to their overall character development.
Community engagement provides students with opportunities to interact with diverse groups of people, understand different perspectives, and build meaningful relationships. Such experiences foster empathy, compassion, and respect, helping students become more aware, inclusive, and socially responsible individuals.
Service-learning encourages students to take initiative, collaborate with others, and solve real-world challenges. Through activities such as environmental projects, outreach programmes, and community partnerships, students develop confidence, responsibility, and leadership skills while making a positive impact on society.
Values-based education helps students understand and practice principles such as kindness, integrity, gratitude, and respect. By integrating these values into everyday learning experiences, schools nurture responsible citizens who are prepared to contribute positively to their communities and the wider world.
Seva activities encourage children to reflect on their actions, appreciate the contributions of others, and respond thoughtfully to social needs. Whether through helping communities, supporting environmental causes, or expressing gratitude, these experiences strengthen moral reasoning, emotional maturity, and a lifelong commitment to service.
Avneet Bedi is a qualified Occupational Therapist working as a dedicated Special Educator. Over the past 25 years, her work has been shaped by a deep therapy background and a quiet commitment to supporting children with diverse learning needs and developmental challenges through personalized and inclusive approaches. Guided by integrity and an open mind, she continues to turn thoughtful ideas into meaningful action.
