BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE
Atlanta, GA, December 20, 2024: An immersive night of music and dance performances, Ekal Ke Rang Aapke Sang, held at Global Mall on December 7, 2024 raised $64,000 for Ekal Vidyalaya, securing sponsorships for 173 schools, further advancing Ekal’s transformative efforts in rural India. Ekal movement is the largest, grassroots, non-government education movement in India, operating in over 38,120 villages and educating over 10,76,691 children in rural India.
Dignitaries gracing the occasion included Consul General Ramesh Babu, State Senator Shawn Still, State Senator Carter Barret, State Representative Matt Reeves, Deputy Consulate General of India Madan Kumar Ghildiyal, and John’s Creek City Council Member Bob Erramilli.
“Ekal Vidyalaya is an NGO that is very close to my heart. It not only promotes education in rural India but also overall village development. The Atlanta chapter is proud to support over 600 schools in rural India,” Shiv Aggarwal, Atlanta Chapter President told NRI Pulse.
With education as its flagship program, Ekal is expanding towards integrated village development with initiatives for digital literacy, women’s empowerment, health services, sustainable agriculture, jobs and skills training. An active and trusted international network of 400,000 volunteers brings Ekal closer to realizing a goal of 36,000 integrated villages by 2030.
Anchored by the charismatic and energetic Vrushali Deshpande, the night kicked off with the traditional lamp lighting.
Senator Still discussed the focus of the Georgia General Assembly on literacy and enrollment over the past two years. He highlighted that Georgia ranks 35th in literacy rates among U.S. states and emphasized the importance of literacy for children’s future success. Senator Still noted that 1.8 million children are in Georgia’s college education system, with 600,000 in family schools. He suggested that the principles and strategies being discussed at the event align with Georgia’s educational priorities. “Ekal is more than an organization; it’s a movement that is rewriting the story of rural India through education and empowerment,” he said. Dignitaries expressed similar sentiments of appreciation for Ekal’s work.
“We are beyond thrilled with the response from our community,” Neetu Singh Chauhan the event coordinator, said. “The support we received tonight truly exceeded our expectations and will make a lasting impact on us. With close to 200 school’s donation raised, the fundraiser highlighted the spirit of giving by transforming the life of rural children, leaving everyone hopeful for the future.”
Rekha Pallath’s euphonious rendition of Sathyam Shivam Sundaram set a wonderful tone to the night with talented singers Saras Jain, Raaga Vahini, Sandeep and Ajay Upadhyaya, VP, Ekal Atlanta Chapter chiming in timeless melodies with fantastic precision.
Dance performances by Garima Dance Academy, Shiv Dance Academy, NNKB Academy (Kumud Savla), and Jain School Folk Dance enthralled the audience with the vigor.
Shedding light on Ekal Vidyalaya’s mission and initiatives, Upadhyaya highlighted projects such as Establishing computer labs to train children and introducing tablets for modern, interactive learning, Empowering women through tailoring centers and vocational training program and Delivering healthcare services to remote villages through telemedicine.”Ekal Vidyalaya believes in the transformative power of education. It is not just about teaching children; it’s about creating self-reliant communities. Through education, we are breaking the cycle of poverty and creating hope for a brighter future,” he said.
Shiv Aggarwal echoed this sentiment, adding, “Empowering women and
children is not just a necessity but a responsibility. Ekal’s efforts in
healthcare, education, and skill development are paving the way for a more
equitable society.”
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad Association served tea and refreshments. Over 20
volunteers worked tirelessly to make this event a success.
Ekal Vidyalaya’s mission to transform rural education and empower communities resonated deeply with all attendees. The event celebrated a harmonious blend of music, culture, and purpose. State Representative Matt Reeves aptly summed it up: “When you invest in education, you are investing in the prosperity of a nation. Ekal is proving that one school at a time can change lives.”
In the early 1980s, Dr. Rakesh Popli, a professor of nuclear physics at IIT Kanpur, and his wife, Rama Popli, a primary education specialist, left their positions to improve conditions in rural India. Incorporating a holistic syllabus of math, science, language, creative arts, and physical education, the first Ekal school was born in 1986, with Rama Popli as its teacher.
Ekal Vidyalaya is primarily supported by individuals which perhaps makes it a largest individual donation based movement in the world.
The idea of Ekal is to connect the maximum families in urban areas with their fellow countrymen living in rural & tribal areas. It is also an attempt to ensure connect between rural & urban communities. The individual donors are from all major metros cities in India and also spread across the globe in 18 countries such as India, USA, Gulf, Canada, Australia, among others. One donor supports one school and will get a direct access to that village thereby creating a direct link between the donor families with the village where Ekal School is operating.
Apart from individual donors, Ekal is also supported by business houses under CSR and by different charitable foundations across the globe to carry forward their objective of taking education at grass-roots.
To learn more, you may visit https://www.ekal.org/
