Newsletter

Newsletter February 2022

Dear Ekalite,

We thank you sincerely for your support of Ekal during the year 2021. Despite the Covid Pandemic presenting challenges, the Ekal family is filled with great hope as we look forward to 2022. We have accomplished a lot in 2021. Here is a brief summary of the activities:
Ekal teachers continued to engage the students during the lockdown so they would have some activity.
Telemedicine Enhanced Arogya is in full swing in several sanches allowing us to bring healthcare to the last mile
Digital Literacy through E-Shiksha, Ekal on Wheels and Computer Labs has been active in many areas
Covid response and vaccination awareness in the villages has made a significant impact
Village development efforts through Gramothan Resource Centers and Integrated Village Development projects that continue to bring skill training and village development to the villages.
We will keep you posted on all the exciting developments as we move forward. As we celebrate the 75th year of India’s Independence, we are confident that with your support, Ekal will make a significant contribution to making the lives of people living in rural remote areas better.
- Suresh Iyer, President, Ekal USA

Dr Maheshbhai Mehta - An Iconic Founder of Ekal-USA

- Prakash Waghmare
 
On Jan. 22, a galaxy of who’s-who from the social-political-religious circles paid heartfelt tribute to Dr Maheshbhai Mehta at a virtual ‘Shraddhanjali’ event, attended by scores of admirers and dignitaries.
The solemn event highlighted the eloquent eulogy by Hon. PM Shri Narendrabhai Modi. Shri Subhash Gupta paid an impressive tribute on behalf of EKAL. Shri Maheshbhai is credited with not only establishing ‘Ekal Vidyalaya - USA’, but also many organizations for the benefit of the community-at-large. Today ‘Ekal’, as an autonomous charitable ‘foundation’ in North America exists because of Maheshbhai’s pioneering efforts in establishing and promoting Ma. Shyamji’s ‘One Teacher School’ project. He was honored by the Prime Minister and the President of India at the ‘Bhartiya Pravasi Divas’ in 2017 for his extensive contributions to the society. He was highly regarded as the iconic founder of the Hindu diaspora in the U.S. in modern times. He had two PhDs and a highly successful career as a scientist. He had been a mentor and an inspiration to scores of volunteers, social workers all over. He passed away on Dec.14, 2021.

73rd Indian Republic Day Celebrations

FTS youth team, under the leadership of President Ms Sanchita Gupta conducted fun activities on Republic Day with children in Nirdhan basthi (Colony) near ITM. More than 50 children participated. The visiting team explained the importance of Republic Day and the national flag to the little kids.
On this occasion, President Ms Sanchita Gupta, senior members Ms Sangeeta Malhotra, Shri Sumit Kashyap, Ms Sonam Kashyap, Ms Anuradha Jha, youth social worker Shri Ayush Khandelwal and many others were present.

- By Ekal Yuva Gwalior

Celebration of Republic Day at Ekal Bhawan Guwahati by Trainees of Shri Hari Satsang Samity, flag hoisting by Shri Arun Bajaj, National Vice President FTS

In 845 Ekal Vidyalayas operated by Vanbandhu Parishad, Jodhpur (Pali, Sirohi, Barmer, Bhinmal, Jaisalmer) Republic Day was celebrated with tribal students, reinforcing the spirit of patriotism.

The Ekal Gramothan Centers, where skill training is happening, celebrated India's Republic Day with great joy and pride.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JnTv4usqtIWVCOMjXBTZUrSpbZSZNchU/view?usp=sharing

Ekal Yuva Ranchi formed

Under Ekal Abhiyan Ranchi, Ekal Yuva Ranchi was formed. Ekal Yuva Ranchi's Patron Shri Utsav Parashar welcomed and introduced the newly elected members of Ekal Yuva. While addressing, Ma Shyamji Gupta emphasized the importance of focusing on the remote villages of rural India. He said that Ekal Abhiyan is committed for the upliftment of remote villages in the field of basic education, self-employment, culture education, health and skill development. He encouraged the youth and motivated them to play a leading role in the nation building effort of Ekal Abhiyan.

Silver Jubilee for Ekal Shri Hari Satsang

On the historic occasion of Ekal Shri Hari Satsang’s Silver Jubilee, Ekal Yuva presented a series of webinars named “Vichar Express” with Shri Manoj Muntashir (Lyricist and Scriptwriter) on Sunday 9th January.

Ekal Yuva Indore launches mobile library for villages

Ekal Yuva Indore’s mobile library "Gyanganga" was inaugurated by Honorable MP of Indore Shri Shankar Lalwani, in presence of Chairperson of Ekal Yuva Indore Smt Rasu Jain and Shri Mohit Bhargava, Shri Naveen Khandelwal, Shri Dheeraj Dev, Smt Sarita Mundra, Smt Ranu Gupta, Smt Neelam, Smt Shweta Khandelwal, Smt Chetna Jain. 
They also planted 150 plants in Shabri basti. Painting was done about the air quality improvement theme in the house walls of Shabri basti. Children of the basti were taught painting.
- Team Indore Ekal Yuva

Vivekananda Jayanthi celebrated by Ekal Gramothan

On the occasion of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, essay writing competition was organized by Ekal Gramothan Foundation in Village Sihal, Bhag Rajouri, on 17th of January 2022. In this competition 35 students participated with great enthusiasm.

Ekal Abhiyan’s Chairman visits IVD Kendra

- Brijmohan Agarwal, President, EGF, Surat

Ekal Abhiyan’s new Chairman Shri Ramesh Shah visited IVD Kendra, Dediyapada in Narmada anchal, Gujarat along with Shri Vinod Agrawal and Shri Shyan Garg. Social worker Shri Jevanbhai Patel along with his son Shri Swethal Patel also accompanied them. Shri Swethal Patel offered to pledge land owned by him in Kunbudi village for Gramothan activities, which is 6 KM away from this IVD.
Shri Ramesh Shah suggested him to first do a survey of 100 villages near to Kunbudi village, to know how a Gramothan center there can help or benefit the local villagers.

Vanyatra in a Nepal Ekal village

Shri Nirmal Garg Jew, a resident of Kathmandu, Shri Manoj Mandal Jew, Smt Bhavani Neupane Jew and Janakpur Bhag Samiti Treasurer Shri Umdeshwar Sah Jyu went on a vanyatra to Arnaha village of Saptari. They distributed sweaters to the children.

Vanyatra by BLSP, Jammu and Kashmir

Dignitaries of Ekal Bharath Lok Sanchar Parishad, Jammu and Kashmir, made a visit to Ekal Vidyalaya at Pargawal Sanch of Akhnoor. They interacted with children after observing the daily routine and functioning of the school.

Village audit visit by BLSP National Secretary and Women’s committee VP

Shri Rajeev Agrawal (National general secretary Ekal Bharath Lok Sanchar Praishad and Smt Madhuri Agrawal (Vice President, Women's Committee EBLSP) traveled to different regions of Dhanbad and Uttar Pradesh between 7th to 13th December 2021 and experienced the storm of changes in Ekal Vidayalayas.
They also conducted many meetings with committee members and karyakarthas and collected their feedbacks from central UP, Lucknow, Kashi of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Balliapur, Dhanbad and Deoghar.

Vanyatra by Ranchi team

Vanbandhu Parishad, Ranchi and Mahila Samiti of Ranchi and Ramgarh visited the Ekal Vidyalaya in Rajkheda village of Patratu. After the prayer, the children gave cultural performances. Mahila Samithi President Smt Babita Jalan highlighted the usefulness of the tour and FTS President Shri Ramesh Dharnigharka informed about the works of Ekal. Children were given gifts like books, fruits etc.

Vanyatra by EKAL family Kolkata chapter in Shib Niwas Ekal Vidyalaya.

Vanyatra by Orissa MP

On 25.01.2022, a vanyatra was conducted in Vitthal Nagar of Mathura Sanch where Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Lok Sabha MP from Orissa, Shri Vijay Shetty, EVFI, Delhi Smt. Sushma Agarwal, along with the village head of Vitthal Nagar village, Shri Baburam and other village committees were present.