Sewa National Youth Convention: A Focus on Wellness and Leadership

Houston, TX – August 10, 2025 – Sewa International’s youth leadership program, LEAD
(Leadership, Education, and Development), hosted its fifth National Youth Convention on July
26, 2025. The four-hour virtual event brought together over 900 high school delegates from
across 43 chapters, along with alumni, mentors, and hundreds of livestream viewers.
Designed and led by youth, the convention featured 14 sessions, including 11 breakout
discussions and a debut alumni panel. It offered a platform for teenagers to exchange ideas,
explore challenges, and commit to positive change.

Sridhar Talanki, Sewa International’s Board Member, opened the event by applauding the energy
and innovation of LEAD students. “This convention is unique because it’s both for youth and by
youth. Leadership knows no age limits,” he said, emphasizing how over 1,700 participants and
alumni are helping shape a culture of service across the country.

Guest of honor Tori Franklin, Olympic triple jumper and motivational speaker, shared her story
of ambition, doubt, growth, and resilience. “Dreams take time. They come with setbacks and
doubts. But if you stay connected to your intuition and take care of your mind, body, and spirit,
you will always find your path,” she said, urging students to prioritize inner balance over
external validation.

LEAD alumni took center stage in the second session, reflecting on how the program influenced
their life choices and strengthened their sense of purpose. Their stories offered a roadmap of
possibility to current participants.

innovation, conscious living, and redefining success. LEAD students moderated each panel,
engaging with experts to examine today’s most pressing challenges.

Keynote speaker Arjun Sen, a global leadership advisor, closed the day with a powerful message:
“True leadership begins within—but it flourishes when we serve others.” He urged delegates to
lead with empathy, courage, and self-awareness. Arjun reminded them that life will always bring
challenges, but true strength lies in facing fear with confidence, staying grounded in difficult
moments, and making thoughtful choices. His message was clear: Sewa begins with
“we”—because, in the end, life is a “we” journey, not a “me” journey.

The convention concluded with the adoption of the “Wellness in Youth” resolution, with 97% of
delegates voting in favor. The resolution commits Sewa International to embedding
wellness—mental health, self-care, and community support—into all future youth programming.