Newsletter

Newsletter November 2022

Ekal Youth raised food for a local food bank in Urbana Fredrick and elaborated on What Ekal does during this drive

Fund raiser from Bloomington youth chapter

Young artists participated in Ekal DIY indi-arts program and auctioned their work to contribute to Ekal at the Bloomington chapter event. The youth group organised dance show by semi-professional dancers

New Era at Ekal Foundation, USA with Dr Subra Dravida of 'Qualcomm' as The President

- Prakash Waghmare and Ranjani Saigal

After two years of hosting annual organizational meets virtually, “Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation (EVF)”, USA, last month hosted an in-person ‘International Conference’ in Chicago for USA, Canada and India components to review and recalibrate the roadmap for the future. The main agenda of the conference was to put ‘Ekal’ (as it is popularly known) on the FastTrack after some setbacks in 2020-21 due to Covid pandemic. Thus, Ekal is launching a new technology driven era by appointing Dr. Subra Dravida, V.P. of ‘Qualcomm’s technology division as the new President of Ekal-USA. After the previous President, Shri Suresh Iyer, himself a successful entrepreneur in the field of ‘Information Technology’ had brought EVF to the threshold of digitized world, Dr Subraji’s appointment as his successor was inevitable. Dr Subra Dravida, a well-known brilliant mind from New England’s technology hub, has been associated with Ekal for some time now. He had been the President of New England Chapter of Ekal for 4 years, then a member of ‘Board of Directors’ and recently, an Executive V.P., working closely with Shri Suresh Iyer and Ekal-USA Chairman, Shri Arun Gupta. Dr Subraji received his B. Tech in Electrical Engineer from IIT, Madras in 1979 and earned his M.S. and Ph.D. from RPI, Troy, NY in 1980 and 1984. From 1984 to 1998, he worked at Bell Labs in Holmdel, NJ. In 1998, he moved to Massachusetts to work in a start-up, MaxComm Technologies, as VP of Engineering before subsequently ending up as V.P. of Technology with Qualcomm. Dr Subraji has over 50 patents in Networking and Cellular Communications and has numerous research papers to his credit.

When asked about what initially attracted him to Ekal, Subraji said, “I had been attending Ekal fund raisers for some time and it is Ekal's concept of running a whole school for mere $365 a year that pulled me in”. He further added that, ”this modest amount permanently transforms the lives of about 30 children and indirectly that of the whole community and so what better investment there could be for the brighter future of India”. Dr Subra Dravida has generously supported Ekal from the beginning. He has sponsored ‘Ekal-on-wheels’ (mobile computer training van) for Telangana and supported ‘Integrated Village Development’ for Andhra Pradesh. As for his vision, Subraji wants digital technology, equipped with tablets and computers to transform education, train teachers, add vocational skills and expand Ekal’s reach. Swami Vivekananda has been the guiding light in his life’s journey and according to him, ‘Jnâna (knowledge), Bhakti (dedication), and Karma yoga (selfless efforts) all converge at one point in Ekal’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQNPYzK3bxM
 

EVF, SA participation in Deepawali Mela 2022

- Vijayta

Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation, Adelaide and Hindu Council of Australia, South Australia (SA) chapter jointly organised Adelaide's biggest Deepawali Mela on 15th October 2022. This event was conducted after a gap of two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As expected, the event was a tremendous success with more than 14,000 visitors joining in the day-long celebrations. The Mela included several performances representing the vibrant and diverse culture of India and even our neighbours, Nepal. There were several other highlights of the event including multi-cuisine food stalls, kiosks showcasing Indian handicraft and jewellery; Raavan Dahan of a 35 feet tall effigy brought to Adelaide all the way from India! The spectacular fireworks were a special touch enjoyed by all the visitors!
Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of Australia, South Australia Chapter were the key charity partner for the event and organised an attractive raffle draw with over 15 prizes most of which were donated by our gracious sponsors. The Ekal volunteers did a wonderful job of selling raffle tickets and raising over INR 2 lakh. A special shout out to the Ekal volunteers (Neha Sharda, Akanksha Gogia, Megha Thakkar, Kuldeep Mishra, Sorabh Chaddha), our youth team (Yashita, Ashna, Rugved) and EVF President South Australia Vijayta Srivastava.
The event was also visited by several dignitaries including Leader of Opposition, David Speirs and Vincent Tarzia, MP who were introduced to the EVF President SA and engaged with the EVF team. David Speirs also delivered a keynote address to convey his wishes for the community on the occasion of Deepawali.

A special thanks to the HCA team (President Dr. Viral Jani, Director Shri Chirag Trivedi) and all the other volunteers who helped make the event such a great success.

Ekal student leads Indian football team

Seventeen year old Ashtam Urao, who studied in Ekal Vidyalaya, Gumla Anchal, Banari Sanch, Gorra Toli village, has become the captain of the Indian women's football team. Her younger sister Alka Oraon has also been selected as one of the players. These children are illuminating the name of India by following the path of Ekal.

Deepawali celebration at Ekal village by Ekal Future, Ranchi

The children of Shabri Basti and the team of Ekal Future, Ranchi celebrated Deepawali at Bisra Munda Shabri Basti, Ranchi. The children were informed about the importance of Deepawali festival. The children of Shabari Basti and the team of Ekal Future together made rangoli  and lit 101 lamps. Sweets were distributed among the children in the form of prasad. The program ended with cheers of Maa Lakshmi.

Shri Hari Satsang Rath in Attapady, Ooty

Village Samithi along with the local villagers and karyakarthas carried Paal Kudam and performed milk abhisheka to the deity when the Ekal, Shri Hari Satsang Rath came to their Kinnakkara Ooty Chavadi Ooru village in Attapady, Ooty.

Ekal Swavalamban Training Centre at Jharkhand

On 19th October, 2022, Dr. Lambodar Mahato, MLA, Gomia Vidhan Sabha laid the foundation stone for Ekal training centre at Khudibeda village in Jharkhand, Kasmar, Bokaro sanch. He also promised his support for three centre and more such centres in his constituency.

The building will be used as a self-reliance training centre for the implementation of Panchmukhi scheme of Ekal Abhiyan, where villagers will be given training in cow and agriculture based self-employment, tailoring etc.

Vanyatra by Vanbandhu Parishad, Hyderabad Chapter Mahila Samiti

On 24 September 2022, Mahila Samithi, Hyderabad Chapter went on a vanyatra to the Ekal Vidyalaya of Meenpur village of Sangareddy area of Medak Zone.

The program started with the introduction session followed by singing and presentation of cultural programs by the students. Painting and sports competitions were held for the students and the winners were rewarded. President Smt Vandana Rathi gave gifts to all the children. Tree plantation was done by the members and meetings were held with village and sanch samitis. The members also enjoyed the local traditional dance along with the students.
After the program, Sneh Bhoj was organized for more than 100 people present there.