Sewa has multiple meanings and interpretations depending on the context. Here are some of the most relevant meanings:

• Self Employed Womens Association (SEWA): SEWA is a trade union based in Ahmedabad, India, that promotes the rights of low-income, independently employed female workers. It was founded in 1972 as the Associations Womens Wing of Textile Labour Association (TLA), which was established by Gandhi in 1918. Today, nearly 2 million workers are members of the Self-Employed Women’s Association across eight states in India.

• Sewa International: Sewa International is a Hindu faith-based, humanitarian, nonprofit service organization registered under Internal Revenue Code 501 (c) (3). Founded in 2003, Sewa International is part of a larger movement that started in India in 1989 and is active in twenty countries. Sewa serves humanity irrespective of race, color, religion, gender or nationality. They specialize in disaster relief and rehabilitation, and their development programs focus on family services; child, tribal and refugee welfare; women empowerment; health; and education.

• Sevā: Sevā (also transcribed as sewa), in Hinduism and Sikhism, is the concept of selfless service that is performed without any expectation of reward for the benefit of others. In Hinduism, seva means selfless service and is often associated with karma yoga, disciplined action, and bhakti yoga, disciplined devotion. Seva is also connected to other Sanskrit concepts such as dāna (gift giving), karunā (compassion), and preman (kindness). In Sikhism, the word seva also means "to worship, to adore, to pay homage through the act of love." Seva is expected to be a labor of love performed without desire and intention, and with humility.

In summary, Sewa can refer to a trade union that promotes the rights of low-income, independently employed female workers, a humanitarian organization that serves humanity irrespective of race, color, religion, gender or nationality, or the concept of selfless service that is performed without any expectation of reward for the benefit of others.