Newsletter March 2005

Yuvoday - The grand finale

Youth For Seva, Kolkata Chapter began the year with our annual ritual- Yuvoday. Yuvoday, which implies awakening of the youth, is an annual inter-school fest, which aims at using creativity and talent in promoting awareness among the city youth about the necessity and vitality of tribal literacy. On 29th January 2005, Jyotrimay Club came to life with YFS members coordinating the grand finale. Ten schools from across the city participated in a variety of events ranging from Rangoli Making and Cartooning to One Act Play and Debate. Presentations highlighting the nature of our work and distribution of literature were mechanisms used to acquaint the participants with the objectives of YFS. Students from St Lawrence School stood first, followed by Akshar and Sri Sikshayatan.

The Chief Guest at the event was Mrs. Meenakshi Atal, Principal, Heritage School, who focused on the passionate use of education in empowering the underprivileged. Gracing the occasion were Shri Mangi Lal Jain and Smt. Manju Shree who nurtured the young minds with their inspiring words.

The event has strengthened our informal bonds with all participants, who are now aspiring to join YFS as active members.

- Madhavi Bhasin. Convenor. YFS - Kolkata Chapter.

 

'Ek Lakshya' - A cultural programme in Karnataka

Clarion call to corporates : 

'Ek Lakshya', a cultural programme for the awareness about Ekal Vidyalaya movement was organized at Windsor Manor Hall of Windsor Sheraton, Bangalore on 6th March 05 by Sri Sudarshan Maini, who has invented the first Eco Friendly Car (REVA) of the world, which he named after his wife Mrs. Reva Maini.

On this occasion Subhash Chandra (Chairman, Zee TV) now known as the frontline soldier of Ekal Vidyalaya Movement, called upon corporate magnets to empower 30% poor and illiterate people of our country. He emphasized that at present only 40% of population are potential buyers in our country whereas 60% are lurking in darkness of ignorance. Only light of education can dispel this darkness and enhance the status of the society. He appealed to the august gathering of 300 to come forward and join and witness the Ekal Movement.

Sonal Mansingh performed for Ekal Vidyalaya :

In the second part of the function, Padma Vibhushan, World renowned classical dancer, Ms. Sonal Mansingh added divinity to the occasion by her brilliant performance. She highly appreciated Ekal Vidyalaya Movement and said "I am extremely honored to perform for such a noble cause. I shall always be ready to serve for this patriotic purpose through my art."

This occasion was marked by immediate response and 200 village adoption (Rs. 15000/- per village) was collected. 

'Ek Lakshya' has set the stage for a proper launching of Ekal Vidyalaya Movement in Karnataka under the aegis of Friends of Tribals Society.

 

Monthly Meeting in Washington DC Region

There was an awareness meeting at Dr. Vinod Jain's house in VA on Feb.26th. He called many of his friends and told them about the Ekal cause. Ekal Regional Vice President Dr. Shashi Shrivastav and many Ekal volunteers were present there. People showed great interest in Ekal cause and pledged to donate money.

 

First hand experiences

A young Ekal volunteer from Boston, Ashwini Javlekar, writes about her experience of Ekal school visit in India. She is 14 years old. Its encouraging to know that at such a tender age what kind of effect is Ekal imposing on her life. Click here to read her exeprience

 

Ekal Visit by Chairman of EVFI, Sri Subhash Chandra (Zee Telefilms, Director)

Chairman of EVFI, Sri Subhash Chandra (Zee Telefilms, Director) leads the way in motivating field workers, patrons as well as people in general to work selflessly for the Ekal Vidyalaya Movement. 

Some excerpts from the news published in Indian Newspapers :

Zee TV Network Chairman Subhash Chandra and wife Sushila Devi were moving in an altogether different terrain today - the rural area of tribal-dominated Dhar. As chairman of Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation, Chandra was here to feel the pulse of the schools that the foundation is running here for rural children, including tribal ones. He announced that the Foundation would set up about 85,000 Ekal Vidyalayas in the country by 2011 to raise the total number of such schools to one lakh. .................................

HindustanTimes.com, Date: January 1, 2005

Chairman of the Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation (EVF) Subhash Chandra Goyal on Friday said that 9,000 Ekal Vidyalayas would be set-up in Jharkhand by 2011.

"At present 16,000 such schools, including 1,500 in Jharkhand, are rendering a Yeoman's service across the country. We aim to set up ............

NewsPaper: HT Ranchi Times, Date: January 1, 2005

Earlier, the gathering at the Vidyalaya burst into laughter when asked by workers as to why he (Chandra) had come and a student replied, "Jeemane aaya hai (he has come for lunch)". Later, the workers explained that in tribal culture no guest could return without having meals.

Impressed by a play presentated by Ashram inmates at Peepalkheda, he said in his brief speech that those living in the cities should learn the lesson of how to shed the sins from their lives.

News Paper: HindustanTimes.com Date: January, 2005