BANGALORE: Earlier known as the Sri Guruvayoorappan Bhajana Seva Samaj, the SGBS Trust in Ulsoor can be credited with being one of the earlier organisations to bring a host of cultural and spiritual activities to the city some 23 years ago. Its ongoing Gokulashtami festival, Unnati 2009, is one of its many annual programmes which features topranking artistes. It is heartening to note that despite being centred in NGEF Layout, the Trust events attract die-hard fans from around the city too. Its array of philanthropic activities makes it more revered.
With just 11 trustees, and no office bearers, the trust has functioned as a cohesive service organisation basically serving the cause of school students and youth. ‘Unnati’ can be called its flagship activity for the livelihood it has secured to about 750 underprivileged youth since 2003 through free vocational training. Accommodation, bus passes and all meals are also free. Tie-ups with corporates has assured cent per cent placements, going by the Trust records.
“Our vision is to facilitate and provide vocational training to one million youth by 2020 all over the country, under the Unnati model, for which we are looking for franchisees and likeminded people,” says Ramesh Swamy, one of the trustees.
Strangely enough, it is the cultural events of the Trust that has provided the wide networking for the success of Unnati.
The list of artistes of the Gokulashtami concerts is a who’s-who of the music world — Sanjay Subramanyan, Rudrapatnam Brothers, UP Raju, BV Balasai, OS Arun, and Sudha Raghunathan will hold stage till August 9, while TM Krishna, P Unnikrishnan, and Malladi Brothers among others have already performed to a packed auditorium.
‘Shiksha’ is another service activity with a cascading effect.
Over 350 poor students from different schools of the city are paid the fees to continue their education. Another littleknown but very useful act of the Trust is its funeral services, where every detail, from organizing for the hearse van and the rituals, is taken care of, without being billed for it, although “many pay for the service”.
This holistic approach to the betterment of society, has provided food for the soul, while giving the poor a reason to live.