Video by Indicorps - Service for the Soul

The September Diaspora Engagement Seminar, "Connected through Service: Diaspora Volunteers and Global Development" highlighted the steady increase in volunteering organizations that offer opportunities to diaspora community members to return to their home countries to perform short or long-term public service, bringing specialized and local knowledge to the tasks of economic and social development. Indicorps, a non-partisan, non-religious, non-profit organization that encourages Indians around the world to actively participate in India's progress, was one of the featured organizations.

Sowmya Somnath was an Indicorps Fellow from January 2008-2009. Sowmya is a registered Professional Engineer and has nine years of structural engineering design experience throughout the United States. She collaborated with the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) to improve community water, sanitation and hygiene education and awareness in Sindhanur, Karnataka. Indicorps offers prestigious grassroots public service fellowship to implement sustainable development projects with community-based organizations across India. As a total-immersion leadership program, Indicorps will encourage you to explore your role as a catalyst of change. Fellowship projects promote both personal growth and collective action towards a secular India that is inclusive, peaceful, and participatory. The program requires a minimum commitment of one year.