Newsletter

Newsletter March 2007

Ekal awareness - spreading the Ekal message through America

Ekal DC's lifeline is its awareness related activities that lead to establishment of schools in India.

In Maryland, to accomplish this goal, Ekal DC set up an information booth on the occasion of Republic day celebrations held at the Eleanor Roosevelt High School on January 27th and February 17th, 2007. Information was shared, flyers were distributed and names of people interested in participating in Ekal activities were collected.

In Virginia, Ekal DC's passionate volunteer Dr. and Mrs. Gulati arranged an awareness meeting in Dr. Indira Sinha's house. Three other Virginia families attended the meeting on a snowy afternoon and donated funds for schools. Ekal DC strongly encourages such activities. Kindly call your friends and family to arrange informal awareness meetings at homes.

On behalf of Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation USA, Dr. Rajiv Kumar, another dedicated volunteer, has submitted an application for Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) for 2008. Through CFC, government employees in US can donate funds to the nonprofit organizations. If approved, Ekal USA will be listed on CFC to receive funds from federal employees. General information about CFC donations is available on www.cfcnca.org

Ekal DC is grateful to Montgomery County High School student Sandhya Dev Raj for writing an essay entitled 'If you want peace you have to love'. This essay is based on 'Great teacher lecture 2007' and was published in the Montgomery County gazette on January 24th, 2007. Interested students are encouraged to participate in various Ekal activities of their choice. Volunteer service credit is offered to those who donate their time and efforts to Ekal.

Ekal benefit event in Sydney, Australia

On the 16th of February this year, to celebrate Valentine’s Day and to raise money for and awareness of Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation, a benefit called “Summer Love ‘07” was held at Hornsby RSL’s showroom, in Sydney, Australia.

A group of youth mainly from Sydney’s north had volunteered their time over the university holidays to organize this event which resulted in a fantastic opportunity to spread awareness and inspire people to participate in the Ekal Movement.

Over 200 people attended, as well as the Deputy Mayor of Hornsby, Councillor Felicity and over $2500 was raised for Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation (the equivalent of the wages of four teachers in four EVF schools for a year).

Awareness of the charity was raised through speeches by EVF representative Mr Jay Shah, and organizers Deepa Gupta and Tristan Nguyen who talked about the philosophy and role of EVF in India.

Holi gift from Jacksonville

Gandhi Memorial Society, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida has sponsored a school for three years. The cheque was received on the auspicious day of ‘VasantUtsav’. 

The inspiring letter which accompanied the donation and photograph capturing the event are presented here -

ISO Certification for EVFI

It is a matter of pleasure / information that Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of India has been certified for ISO 9001:2000 by UKAS Quality Management of UK. 

Scanned copy of the Certificate is given below for ready reference.

Messages by EV Supporters of USA

While visiting EVF India's Central Office, New Delhi some of USA Supporters of Ekal Movement gave their messages to us which are very much inspiring. The video version of their messages are uploaded on the website. To view that video please click the following image


Ekal awareness - spreading the Ekal message through America

Ekal DC's lifeline is its awareness related activities that lead to establishment of schools in India.

In Maryland, to accomplish this goal, Ekal DC set up an information booth on the occasion of Republic day celebrations held at the Eleanor Roosevelt High School on January 27th and February 17th, 2007. Information was shared, flyers were distributed and names of people interested in participating in Ekal activities were collected.

In Virginia, Ekal DC's passionate volunteer Dr. and Mrs. Gulati arranged an awareness meeting in Dr. Indira Sinha's house. Three other Virginia families attended the meeting on a snowy afternoon and donated funds for schools. Ekal DC strongly encourages such activities. Kindly call your friends and family to arrange informal awareness meetings at homes.

On behalf of Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation USA, Dr. Rajiv Kumar, another dedicated volunteer, has submitted an application for Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) for 2008. Through CFC, government employees in US can donate funds to the nonprofit organizations. If approved, Ekal USA will be listed on CFC to receive funds from federal employees. General information about CFC donations is available on www.cfcnca.org

Ekal DC is grateful to Montgomery County High School student Sandhya Dev Raj for writing an essay entitled 'If you want peace you have to love'. This essay is based on 'Great teacher lecture 2007' and was published in the Montgomery County gazette on January 24th, 2007. Interested students are encouraged to participate in various Ekal activities of their choice. Volunteer service credit is offered to those who donate their time and efforts to Ekal.

Drop and drop an Ocean makes

Mahila Samiti of FTS Chennai has mobilized school going children of urban society to keep Seva Patras (boxes) and collect money in it to support the education of tribal children. In a short time many children have got involved with “Drop-Drop makes an Ocean Seva Patra Scheme”. They love to put coins in it for a great cause. 

On 7th January, 2007 Rs. 65000/- was collected from 160 Seva Patras and on this occasion Mahila Samiti of FTS Chennai organized a program “Phool Khile Hai Gulshan” at Gokul Auditorium of D.G. Vanishnav College, Arumbakkam. A cultural program was organized by lady members for the “Seva Patra” children. There were fancy dress competition and other activities for children that saw all participating with tremendous enthusiasm. 

Smt. Savitri Devi Goenka, a courageous lady involved with many worthy charitable causes was the guest of honor.

Ekal Mahotsav in Delhi (January, 2006)

Bharat Lok Shiksha Parishad (Partner organization of Ekal Vidyalaya Movement) organized a wonderful cultural event spread over two evenings to create great awareness among Delhi’s elite about Ekal Movement. The high profile function was held in Siri Fort Auditorium on 25th and 26th of February 2007. “Jago Hindustani” was a musical program which interspersed old popular patriotic songs with heart stirring commentary about India’s history of sacrifice, valor and victory. The chief guest was Shri Mange Ram Agarwal, Chairman Action Group.

On 26th “Swami Vivekananda the Solo Drama” was enacted by Shri Shekhar Sen. Shri Sen, an extremely talented God-gifted artist is the writer, director, singer and actor – all in one, of the play. The chief Guest on this occasion was Mr. S.C.Gupta, Chairman Punjab National Bank. 

The highly distinguished audience was spell bound for 3 hours in the programs on both evenings with the auditorium jam-packed till the ending of the programs. 

Shri L. K. Advani (leader of the opposition) and his wife Kamalji immensely appreciated “Swami Vivekananda the Solo Drama”. And Shri Shekhar Sen was honored for his divine performance by Shri Advaniji. 

On both evenings the program started with a Presentation on the Ekal Movement presented by Smt Manjushree. 

The dedicated team of BLSP Karyakartas and office bearers has successfully mobilized top industrialists and corporate honchos to contribute significantly towards the Ekal Cause. Twenty two such top contributors were honored with Shawls, beautiful Smriti Chinh and Gold Medals as “Shatak Veer” (one who donates for 100 villages, schools and Arogya Yojana). Shri Brahma Ratan Agarwal, patron EVF USA was profusely honored as “Sahastra Veer” for donating 1100 Ekal Schools per year. He was specially requested to attend the Ekal Mahotsav 2007. 

Shri Subhash Agrawal, Chairman Action Group was the driving force and undisputed leader of the BLSP Team. Shri Laxmi Goel, Shri S.N Bandhu, Shri G.D.Goel, Shri Naresh Jain, Smt Sangita Gupta, Shri Gaurishanker Gupta and many other with their extensive efforts made the event a truly memorable one. 

Some photographs as given below:

Jaago Hindustani -

Ekal children visit Bhopal

Shri Babulal Gaur (minister for Commerce and Industries in Madhya Pradesh) invited Ekal children from Burhanpur's Dhavdi Pani Ekal Vidyalaya to his residence on Sunday. The children spent an enjoyable day interacting with Shri Gaur, indeed impressing him with their sense of discipline and propriety. Smt Krishna Gaur (Shri Gaur's daughter-in-law) ensured the children were comfortable and very well taken care of during their stay. The children were also taken on a tour of Bhopal city.

Annual function of Bhopal Chapter

The annual function of the Bhopal FTS chapter was held on 3rd February in the Rabindranath Tagore auditorium. Shri Babulal Gaur (minister for Commerce and Industries in Madhya Pradesh) was the Chief Guest. On this occasion Shri Shivkumar Chaudhary (Secy. Bhopal Chapter) expressed the hope that a new chapter in the historical city of Indore would be opened towards Dussehera this year. Shri Shantilal Chajjer (President, Bhopal Chapter) informed the august gathering that the Bhopal Chapter is instrumental in running 1560 Ekal Vidyalayas in 7 anchals of Madhya Bharat. The highlight of the event was the cultural show put up by the children from Ekal Vidyalaya in Chavdi Pani district Burhanpur). The shlokas they intoned permeated the gathering with a spiritual essence and their folk songs filled the audience with gaiety and enthusiasm. 

A souvenir was released to mark the occasion, as captured in the picture below -

Ekal updates - Ekal Vidyalaya

Current: Number of Ekal Schools: 20,142 Number of Children: 604,260

Ekal DC organizes "Path for Peace"

Ekal's annual fund raising event, 'Path to Peace' will be held on August 4th at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre in the City of Rockville. 'Path to Peace, Freedom through Education' is a dance, music and multimedia performance presented by Sridhar Shanmugam Dance Alliance with music by Andrew Sterman.

'Path to Peace' planning meeting will be held on March 10th between 2-5 PM at Shashi Shrivastav's house -15431 Avery Road Rockville Maryland 20855. Please call 301-424-0747 for more information. Please send your feedback and suggestions to ekal.washingtondc@gmail.com.

Youth for Ekal Movement

Chinmayam class of 10th to 12th graders, of Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional Center is presenting a talent show to benefit Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation! 

The show will be held at Chinmayam (46 Norwood Road , Silver Spring MD, 20905) on March 24th from 5-7 pm. 

Do come and support Ekal and local Indian-American youth in this worthwhile effort! Advance booking will encourage students. 

Please contact Avinash Pakalpati for tickets at vearix@gmail.com.

Ekal updates - Arogya

Arogya Yojana Presentation at National Medicos Organization Conference
The National conference of National Medicos Organisation of India was held on 24 and 25 Feb at Birla auditorium in Jaipur. It was attended by 850 delegates comprising of practicing doctors as well as medical students from all over India.

Dr. H. K. Mittal coordinator of Arogya Foundation of India was invited as faculty to give a presentation on Arogya Yojana in the session related to Community Programs. The presentation was very well received by the audience with many expressing their desire to contribute towards the programme and join it. The presentation was awarded a certificate and Trophy.