Newsletter December 2022

Grand Dallas event

It was a wonderful team effort by the Dallas team of Ekal that organized the Ekal fund raiser - Lata, The Divine Dignity of Music.

Visit the link for more exciting photos -
https://photos.app.goo.gl/94YkRfxbASCncvbe6

Dakshin Dhamaka - one event for everyone!

Ekal Houston organized, a novel event, Dakshin Dhamaka where the artists sang songs in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi and Gujarati, to raise funds for Ekal. The singers even composed a song on Ekal and performed it.

Manju didi with Ekal, Australia team

Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation (EVF), Australia, head office in Sydney was visited by Smt Manju Srivatsava. She gave a PPT presentation with detailed information on Ekal. The session was attended by over 25 people.

FTS southern chapters meet

The meeting of all the 8 southern chapters of Friends of Tribals Society (FTS) was organized at Haryana Bhavan in Bengaluru city on 19th and 20th November. Shri Ramesh Maheswari gave orientation on the purpose, working style and organisational structure of Ekal Abhiyan. He also explained the goal of Ekal to all members of FTS present.

Ekal ki Udaan by Ekal Abhiyan and Friends of Tribals Society, Kolkata Chapter

Ekal Ki Udaan, a state level sports competition for rural children of West Bengal was organized by Ekal Abhiyan and Friends of Tribals Society (FTS), Kolkata Chapter on 10th, 11th and 12th November 2022 at Sports Authority of India Complex (SAI), Kolkata. Through Ekal Ki Udaan, Ekal Abhiyan and FTS gave an opportunity to rural children who are aspiring to become an athlete but don’t get the platform to showcase their talent. Students participating in this competition came from Ekal Vidyalaya of various districts of West Bengal. 406 children participated in this competition. These children were accompanied by the district karyakartas, school acharya and parents. Many of them visited Kolkata for the very first time. The competition included 5 game categories: Run, High Jump, Long Jump, Wrestling and Kabbadi for participant under the age group of 6-10 years and 10-14 years. Both boys and girls took part in the competition. The stay arrangement for the children, karyakartas, teachers and parents were made at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, one of the most prominent locations of Kolkata. Tshirts, caps and id cards were distributed to all. Shoes and socks were distributed to the participating children. The competition had a grand opening with flag hoisting, national anthem, spot marching, torch march, balloon release etc. Dr Dhriti Banerjee (Director – Zoological Survey of India) and Swami Vedaswarupananda (Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture) was the chief guest for the opening and closing ceremony respectively. Both the chief guests appreciated Ekal Abhiyan and FTS for taking this initiative and applauded the children for their spectacular performance. Winners were awarded with medals and certificates; they will be now preparing to compete at the national level to be held at Lucknow. The games were managed by team from MCKV School and Athletics Coaches Association. Atri Group and Sreeleathers supported as a sponsor. Children were also taken for sight-seeing to enthralling attractions of Kolkata like Alipore Jail Museum and also saw Science city, Victoria Memorial and Race course.

CCL supports 120 Ekal villages

MOU was signed between CCL (Central Coalfields Ltd, Govt of India) and Friends of Tribals Society, for running Ekal Vidyalaya [One Teacher School] in 120 villages of Latehar district under CCL CSR, for providing educational support to students belonging to tribal/economically backward communities deprived of education.

Awareness program against drugs by Ekal Kerala children

Children of Nenmeni sanch, Murikiad Vidyalaya in Wayanad anchal, Kerala staged drama, raised slogans and held placards against drugs.

Children's day celebrated by Ekal children in Wayanad

As part of Children's Day Celebrations, Chess and Carrom tournaments were conducted for Ekal children at Amalappadi in Wayanad on 13th November. Prizes were distributed by the Gram Samithi.

Jaipur darshan and tour of Ekal children on Children's Day

Jaipur Chapter and Women's Committee invited 25 boys and girls of two Ekal Vidyalayas from Alwar Zone on Children's Day and they along with their Acharya and village visited Jaipur for Jaipur Darshan.

The purpose of organizing this program was to introduce the children to the urban environment. Many children left their village for the first time and came to the city. This program was divided into three phases, first - Jal Mahal, second - Albert Hall, and third phase - Nehru Bal Udyan. Many members of the Mahila Samiti came to all the three stages and took care of the children and spent time with them.

Children came by bus to visit Amer, Jal Mahal, Hawa Mahal, Albert Hall Museum, Birla Mandir, Amar Jawan Jyoti and finally Nehru Bal Udyan. The children were told about the historical importance of the places. Ms Maya Bothra, member of the women's committee, stayed with the children in the bus as a guide throughout.

At the last stop, Nehru Bal Udyan, the children enjoyed the toy train ride and gave a 15-minute presentation in front of all the committee members.

The committee gifted school bags and sweaters to the children and presented shawls to the village heads and teachers. Committee President Ms Savita Kothari welcomed and Chapter President Ms Jyoti blessed the children.

During the occasion, Ekal also got sponsorship to run two Vidyalayas. Program coordinator and sponsor Ms Anita Tongia arranged for the bus, food, breakfast and all gifts.

Telangana EOW completed another batch

On October 31, 2022, certificates were distributed to 96 students of Ekal On Wheel, Mahoobnagar, Telangana. The students including previous batch students who are employed now, shared their experience with EOW and thanked Ekal andv the Acharya.

Vanyatra by Mahila, BLSP

On November 17, 2022, Ekal Bharat Lok Shiksha Parishad (BLSP),National Women's Wing conducted an Ekal Vanyatra tour to Ekal Gramothan Centre at Gajraula and Vijaura village Vidyalaya in Gajraula sanch, Garhmukteshar anchal.