Newsletter

Newsletter November 2019

Ekal National Conference 2019

Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation USA’s three-day national conference in California saw a smooth timely transition from one session to the next, covering current state of Ekal and plans for 2020, overview of special projects – Gramothan Resources Center (GRC), Integrated Village Development (IVD), Ekal on Wheels (EOW), Tailoring, Computer Lab, Brainstorming sessions, Youth Initiatives, Road map for the future, EVFI’s  future planning and goals and Ekal USA's future strategy.

Outlining the nonprofit’s goals, Shri Raju Reddy, Indian American entrepreneur, philanthropist and community leader, who was invited to the event as a guest of honor noted that Ekal’s reach, the scale of its work, and the organization’s integrity truly inspired him. "Ekal is one of those rare organizations that is focusing exclusively on rural India and even within rural India, the remotest of areas", he said.

Shri Bajrang Bagra, CEO of Ekal Abhiyan in India, described the various new initiatives that have taken shape in India, adding that technology is beginning to play a huge role in the next phase of Ekal.

Shri Raghunath Lathi, an early supporter of Ekal from New Mexico, was in India when India attained its independence. He said that Ekal’s work is helping to fulfill the promise of development made at that time.

Some of the Ekal Vidyalayas are now using tablets to improve their teaching and learning mechanisms. Ekal is now planning to use tools developed by the Global Learning X-Prize winners to improve their curricular offerings. “We have a vision to have tablets in all the 100,000 villages by 2022,” stated Shri Ramesh Shah, chairman of the board for Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of USA.

The team from India, including Shri Ravidev Gupta, Shri Arun Bajaj, Shri GD Goyal, Shri Nanda kishore Agarwal and Shri Neeraj Rayzada, presented details of the work that is being done on the ground.

The conference, hosted by the Bay Area chapter of Ekal, under the leadership of Smt Nima Gujar, was attended by over 100 Ekal volunteers from all over the U.S. and India who had gathered to learn about the work that happens at the grass roots level.

Acupressure workshop by Ekal, Chicago

Ekal Chicago Vibhag organized Accupressure workshop in Wheeling Swaminarayan Mandir. 40 people from age 4 to 86 years from local community learned the healthy techniques. Shri Srikant Modi explained and demonstrated accupressure techniques. Everyone enjoyed the session.

10 medical camps in Leh and Kargil

First ever organization of 10 medical camps in Laddakh since 16 September to 21st September 2019 by Arogya Foundation of India almost immediately after this border state sandwiched between Pakistan and China was declared Union Territory, turned out to be most successful event through which the hitherto neglected people of both the districts of Leh and Kargil received much needed medical help and advise. The camps were suppported by IRCON INTERNATIONAL. The Doctors came from far places of country to provide medical care to the tribal and rural brethren of Laddakh. They were Dr Harish Anand from Delhi, Dr Sarita Mittal, Gynecologist from Delhi, Dr Mukul Bhatia, Surgeon from Ranchi, Dr TN Satpathy from Bhubaneswar, Dr Mahesh Sanghavi, Ayurvedic Surgeon from Mumbai. About 1300 patients were examined.

Ekal on Wheels in Sirohi, Rajasthan

Ekal on wheels (EOW) was flagged off in Sirohi, Rajasthan jointly by "Ganga Bai & Pyare Nath Narhari Foundation" and "The Asha and Sajjan Agarwal Foundation". The bus is sponsored by North Carolina sponsors.

Meeting with Honorable President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind, by FTS Kolkata team.

Dassarah celebrations at Narayanapuram

- H.Eranna, A.V.T., South Zone

Dassarah festival cultural dance program was conducted in Narayanapuram village of Adoni Sanch, Kurnool Anchal, Andhra Bhag on 9th October, 2019, from 6-00 p.m. to 10-00 p.m. by Ekal students of the village. A huge gathering of public was in audience. Ekal Acharya Shri T Mallayya was duly given respect by the public. The dance programs by Ekal students were much appreciated by them.

Ekal Expo by FTS Surat chapter mahila samethi

- Vijya kokda, Secretary FTS mahila samithi, surat

On 25th and 26th September 2019, Ekal Diwali mela was organized at panchavati hall in Agrasen bhavan. There were about 75 stalls consisting of  home appliances, dresses, navaratri items, handicrafts and food stalls. Ladies from gramothan training center promoted the cloth bags made by them in replacement of the plastic bags. 2 stalls were by Ekal's full time workers from Ekal's gramothan center, showcasing   handicrafts made of bamboo and Organic food.

MP Smt Darshanaben Jardosh  and Shri Kishorbhai Bindal who was the chief guest inaugurated the program and later visited all the stalls. Smt Darshanaben appreciated Ekal's work and said that Ekal Abhiyan is tirelessly working towards the upliftment of tribals at a national level, for the last 30 years, to make them self-reliant.

Every stall had Ekal's logo and the complete area was decorated by photos and banners of Ekal and its work. The two days program helped Ekal to raise funds to support 25 of its vidyalayas. Smt Vijya Kokda, Smt Ashita Nangliya, Smt Manju Mittal Smt Ritu Goyal, Smt Rashmi Sabu and Smt Padma Tulsiyan along with other Ekal karyakarthas' hard work was felt in the success of the program.

Vanyatra by FTS Mahila

FTS Mahila Chapter Samithi members with Sabita didi visited Hunsur anchal and bhag office on the way to Vanayatra to Beerathammanahalli village in Hunsur taluk on 15.10.2019. Samithi had a bythack with the Anchal Samithi members and karyakartas.They discussed about the vistar sanch and appointment of new Acharyas, abyas varg. FTS members distributed gifts to the Anchal karyakartas. In the afternoon they visited the Ekal vidyalaya, had interaction with the students and Acharya.They distributed gifts to the students and Acharya.

A good learning experiance in EKal, Ranchi

- Smt Neha Mittal

During my two day visit to Ranchi with Mrs Sarita Mansingka, we visited Sirika, Saheda to personally experience the activities concerning tele-medicine, satsang and rath. Then, we visited GRC centre and saw great initiatives to develop skills in stitching, computers, carpentry as well as logistics. Understood poshan vatika and organic farming and discussed issues of farmers. Got exposed to E-shiksha learning in Ekal vidyalaya and smart classrooms in GRC Residential school. Got to see Haldi production setup as well as vermi-compost and natural insect repellent made of cow dung and urine. The entire visit was a very good experience and lots of learning.

Solar Lamps distributed

Lions Club of Calcutta BBD Bhag distributed solar lamp to Bansphari sanch in Midnipur anchal.