India missions in South Africa, Rwanda, Ghana hold Seva Pakhwada drives
Synopsis
Indian diplomatic missions in Pretoria, Kigali, and Accra marked Seva Pakhwada 2026 with tree plantations, health camps, and a beach clean-up — extending a domestic environmental and community-service drive to three African nations simultaneously.
Key Takeaways
The High Commission of India in Pretoria organised a tree plantation drive at Amberfield College on 23 September 2026 under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign.
Deputy High Commissioner Banu Prakash and mission officials participated in the Pretoria event.
The High Commission of India in Kigali held a health camp on 19 September 2026 in partnership with Wiwo Hospital and Dr Agarwal's Eye Hospital .
In Ghana , hundreds of volunteers cleared tonnes of waste from Ananse Beach, Nungua , complementing the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign 2026 .
Seva Pakhwada runs from 17 September to 2 October 2026 , with Indian missions across the world participating.
The High Commission of India in Pretoria on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, organised a tree plantation drive at Amberfield College in Pretoria, South Africa's executive capital, as part of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative under Seva Pakhwada. Deputy High Commissioner Banu Prakash and mission officials participated in the event, planting trees as a gesture toward a greener and more sustainable future.
Tree Plantation Drive in Pretoria
The plantation drive at Amberfield College was organised under the Seva Pakhwada framework, which runs from 17 September to 2 October 2026 and is aligned with the Indian government's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign — a nationwide call to plant trees in honour of one's mother. Deputy High Commissioner Banu Prakash led the mission team at the event, which the High Commission described as 'a meaningful contribution towards a greener and more sustainable future,' according to an official post on X.
Health Camp in Kigali, Rwanda
Earlier, on 19 September 2026, the High Commission of India in Kigali organised a health camp in Rwanda in collaboration with Wiwo Hospital and Dr Agarwal's Eye Hospital. The camp brought together members of the Indian diaspora, friends of India in Rwanda, and High Commission officials to promote healthy lifestyle awareness. The initiative was part of the same Seva Pakhwada observance.
Beach Clean-Up Drive in Accra, Ghana
In Ghana, the High Commission of India in Accra, along with partner organisations and hundreds of volunteers — including members of the local Indian community — carried out a large-scale clean-up drive at Ananse Beach in Nungua. The drive cleared what the mission described as 'tonnes of waste' from the shoreline, transforming the beach into a cleaner space. The effort was also linked to the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign 2026, the Indian government's citizen-action programme for cleanliness and environmental responsibility.
What Is Seva Pakhwada
Seva Pakhwada is a two-week community service observance observed around the birth anniversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17 September. Indian missions across the world participate annually through health, environmental, and cultural programmes aimed at engaging the Indian diaspora and fostering goodwill in host nations. This year's edition runs until 2 October 2026, with missions across multiple continents reporting participation.
The activities underscore India's broader public diplomacy outreach, connecting diaspora communities in Africa and beyond to nationally driven initiatives. Further events under Seva Pakhwada are expected in the days ahead as the fortnight-long observance nears its close.
Point of View
High-visibility formula. Whether these efforts translate into durable diaspora cohesion or host-nation goodwill, however, depends on consistency that extends well beyond a two-week observance.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative?
'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' is an Indian government campaign encouraging citizens and institutions to plant a tree in honour of their mother. The High Commission of India in Pretoria carried out a plantation drive under this initiative at Amberfield College on 23 September 2026 as part of Seva Pakhwada.
What is Seva Pakhwada 2026?
Seva Pakhwada is a two-week community service observance that runs from 17 September to 2 October each year, timed around Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday on 17 September. Indian missions worldwide organise health, environmental, and cultural programmes during this period to engage the Indian diaspora and foster ties with host nations.
What did the Indian mission in Rwanda do during Seva Pakhwada?
The High Commission of India in Kigali organised a health camp on 19 September 2026 in collaboration with Wiwo Hospital and Dr Agarwal's Eye Hospital. The camp brought together the Indian diaspora, friends of India in Rwanda, and mission officials to promote healthy lifestyle awareness.
What happened at Ananse Beach in Ghana?
The High Commission of India in Accra, along with partner organisations and hundreds of volunteers including Indian community members, conducted a beach clean-up at Ananse Beach in Nungua, Ghana. The drive cleared tonnes of waste from the shoreline and was linked to the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign 2026.
Who led the tree plantation drive in Pretoria?
Deputy High Commissioner Banu Prakash led the High Commission of India team at the tree plantation drive held at Amberfield College in Pretoria on 23 September 2026. Other mission officials also participated in the event.
