Newsletter

Newsletter January 2019

Ekal Vidyalaya's Spectacular ''Sanskriti - A Bollywood Journey'' - by NNKB

Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation organized a scintillating dance and music show - ‘Sanskriti - A Bollywood Journey” by Nritya Natya Kala Bharti (NNKB) at the Berkmar High School, on Saturday, December 1, 2018.

The riveting show started at 4:30 pm, with a warm welcome to all by the Ekal GA Cultural Coordinator, Preeti Tanwar and by Ajay Upadhyay (Ekal Regional VP). The well attended event was graced by esteemed dignitaries, Consul, L.T. Ngaithe and Duluth Mayor Johnny Christ & Crawford & Company CEO Harshvardhan Agadi and Ekal President Shiv Aggarwal, who lighted the lamp.

This was the very first time the event had the highest number of schools sponsored so far in the Ekal history, despite the smallest number (250) of audience. The event was able to raise a whopping donation of $89,000. It included the generous donation of $25,000 from 27th investments and matching 30 schools donation by Crawford Company CEO Harshvardhan Agadi and 169 schools funded by the audience, NNKB & the Ekal Volunteers.

Nandhini Seetharaman, Ekal Youth Leader from US @ GRC, Ranchi

Nandhini Seetharaman, an active Ekal youth enthusiast and 1st year student from Williams college, US, visited Ekal GRC for the second time. She did her interns last year at GRC, Ranchi for 10 days. This time she wanted to meet people, spend time with them and observe their lifestyle and the impact of GRC in their life. She stayed for 4 days and interviewed many of the beneficiaries. She also found that Ekal has come out with a wonderful concept to keep the villagers healthy and fit. She spoke to many Arogya sevikas who explained her about what they learnt and how they take it to the villagers and how both the villagers and the sevikas benefit out of it.

She has documented her experience in her blog. Visit her blog to get the detailed story.

Rekha Kumari inspires...

Daughter of a farmer in UP's Lakhimpur district, a 10th pass girl's enthusiasm, courage and work was noticed, and with the help of the Village Chief, she was given the responsibility of an Acharya at Ekal Vidyalaya. The Vidyalaya was started in the region in 2005 to remove the darkness of illiteracy and help in village's development. In just two years' time, with Rekha Kumari's committed work and courageous attitude, she was given the responsibility of a Block Chief. Alongside, she kept preparing to join the Police Services and got selected in 2014 for the same.

At present, she is posted at Police Station Katra market in Gondazila of UP.

Completing her MA in Sociology from the University of Bundelkhand, Rekha humbly gives the credit of her success to the patriotism Ekal instilled in her.

Livinguard-Saffkins at EST-GRC Centre, Gargaon

On 03.12.2018 Saffkins conducted a Varg for the local and Bachat Ghad Mahilas at the EST-GRC Center, Garagaon.110 Mahilas who came from 12 villages attended the Varg.

Ms. Sangita Narang of Saffkins gave a presentation and explained the use and benefit of Saffkin Pads. She explained that this is the first of the kind reusable fabric pad made of specially coated fabric and hence not harmful. This cloth could even be used in hospitals to prevent infections from spreading. The quality being so high it is very good even as sanitary pads.
Livinguard-Saffkins will be following up by taking a survey after 3 months about the experience of the women who have used them. They will be sharing a PPT with EST-GRC centre, so that whenever any women varg takes place it can be shown at the EST-GRC Centre.This can be replicated at all GRC Centres.

Training on Coir products at GRC, Kumbakonam

Gramothan Resource Centre (GRC), Kumbakonam, launched its first batch of training 20 villagers in the manufacturing of coir ropes and mats in association with Coir Board on 12.12.2018.

Workshop on 'SAY NO TO PLASTIC' by Ekal Sansthan, Coimbatore study circle

As Tamil Nadu gears up to become a plastic-free State from 1st January 2019 onwards, Ekal Study Circle – Coimbatore has taken the initiative to spread awareness amongst the public about the dangers of plastic use and environment friendly alternatives to plastic.

SAY NO TO PLASTIC was the theme of the latest Study Circle Meet held on 10th December 2018 at Kongunadu Arts and Science College (KASC). Four eminent personalities from different walks of life were invited for a panel discussion on this theme – (1) Dr. Raja Selvaraju, Asst. Professor, Zoology and Coordinator of the Eco Club at KASC (2) Shri R. Dhanapal, Manager, Suguna Industrial Training Institute, Coimbatore, (3) Smt. Sangeetha Subhash, Apex Member, Siruthuli Coimbatore and (4) Smt P Roopa Prasanth, Member, RAAC, Coimbatore. The panel discussion was moderated by Shri Omkar Sankar of the Sankar Group.

A global perspective on the usage of plastics and how the extensive use of plastics over the past several decades has adversely impacted the oceans and made even products of daily use such as sea salt and edible fish toxic to humans, was explained to the students. Around 300 students from various educational institutions around Coimbatore participated.

Corporate Kings at FTS Mumbai event

FTS Mumbai organized a fund raising event on 18th November 2018. The event was hosted by Smt Amlaji Ruia (Vice President, Mumbai Chapter) at her residence. Prominent CEOs and Industrialists attended the event.  More than 100 dignitaries graced the afternoon.

Shri Pradeep Goyal gave an impressive presentation of Ekal activities. The environment was charged with positive response and compassion for our tribal brethren.

FTS Mumbai at 'Race for Humanity'

FTS Mumbai put up a stall on Ekal at ‘Race for Humanity’ event on 25th November. The daylong event witnessed lively interaction with all the enthusiastic participants and visitors exchanging their thoughts and sharing ideas towards tribal upliftment in our society. Rotary dignitaries appreciated the magnitude of work being done in tribal villages by Ekal.

Workshop on Crowd funding organized for BLSP, Youth Wing

The Youth Wing of Bharat Lok Shiksha Parishad, under the leadership of Shri Praveen Khandelwal organized a workshop at the corporate office of SMC Global Securities Ltd. The workshop was a success where people took part with much enthusiasm and interest and gained knowledge about Ekal's work. Impressed by the noble cause, the dignitaries from different fields present as participants assured to contribute to Ekal's activities and goal.

Chakravyuh, the grand cultural evening by BLSP

Actor Nitish Bharadwaj of 'Mahabharat' fame presented a cultural program, spreading awareness on rich Indian heritage, organized by Bharat Lok Shiksha Parishad. The cultural evening dedicated to Ekal Abhiyan took place at Sathya Sai Auditorium, New Delhi, felicitated the donors who supported 100 Ekal Vidyalayas working for the betterment of tribal and village communities.

Poonam Agrawala shares her experience about Ekal visit

“It was a great experience to see the Ekal impact on the Kheda village kids, so great performance with confidence and warmth. The whole family received so much love and affection from the village people which cannot be described, it was an experience. Even the youngest one and half year old baby Keya enjoyed the love of the villagers.  God bless them!”
Poonam Agrawala

Shri Regunathan and family from US visits Ooty Ekal villages

Shri Regunathan from US visited two villages in Ooty with his family. They were so impressed with the way Ekal nurtures these tribal children. They were stunned on listening to the kids exhibiting their oratorical skills at that young age. Shri Regunathan is very appreciative of FTWs Shri Murugan and Smt Sumithra. They pledged to extend their support to Ekal.