EVFUSA Cleveland chapter organizes a fundraising event
EVFUSA Cleveland chapter organized a musical event "Ek Shyam Ekal ke Naam" on April 8, 2011 at Terry Macklin Event Centre, Cleveland, Ohio. It was performed by ‘Manoj Mishra & Group’ of India. It is an understatement to say that the event was a wonderful and grand success beyond our dreams. We raised over $80,000 in funding for 220 Ekal Schools- an increase of nearly 60% above last year’s.
The strategizing discipline, commitment, and hard work that our volunteers put in was the key to success. The marketing obviously worked. Guests enjoyed tremendously and thanked us profusely for a great programme. The singers were mellifluous and the "Aap ki Farmaish" (audience choice) part of the programme was terrific.
Sree N.Sreenath
Fund Raising for Ekal Supported by Donation of Art
We are happy to report that our efforts to raise funds for Ekal Schools were enhanced by donation of original and professionally framed art paintings by Smt. Chander Lakra. She donated 20 original water colour paintings to Ekal Vidyalaya and suggested to give it to the donors as we saw fit.
We were very much impressed by her art work and generosity. During the fund raising concert in Indianapolis, we offered the gift of one painting each to every donor who donated more than 4 schools. This idea was very successful. Donors came forward and donated enthusiastically for schools and were very happy and appreciative to receive the paintings.
We repeated the same offer during our fund raising concerts in Columbus and Cincinnati. We offered to gift one painting to the donor who donated five or more schools. We are happy to announce that we gave away 15 paintings to our donors.
Smt. Chander Lakra is an accomplished artist. Her speciality is water colour paintings of flowers and landscapes. She lives in Detroit area in Michigan. She has won the artist of the year award at her art association many times. She is wife of Sri Yash Pal Lakra, former chairman of the Board of Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of USA. He is a dedicated and active Ekal volunteer. Smt. Lakra has offered to donate her paintings to any chapter in USA or in India to help raise money for schools. We are very thankful to her for her generosity. I hope other chapters will take up her offer.
Renu Gupta
FTS Delhi organizes a Cultural programme
FTS Delhi organized a Bhajan Sandhya and Cultural Programme on 17th April, 2011 at Saraswati Bal Mandir School, Nehru Nagar, New Delhi. The function was presided by Lion Sri J.L. Maheshwari and many members of Lions Club also attended the function. A great performance, Ramayan Path and Bhajans by Ekal students of Ajmer Anchal caught the attention of all present and kept the audience spell bound. All the donors of FTS Delhi chapter were given *Thanks Certificates* for contributing to the cause of Ekal Movement by the Chief Guest Lion Sri J.L. Maheshwari and Sri Arun Bajaj, National Vice-President, FTS. Sri G.S. Gupta, Vice President, EVFI hosted the Dinner. All present were able to meet, converse and share their views with each other.
Cancer Awareness Programme by Friends of Tribals Soceity
A Cancer awareness programme was organized on March 4, 2011 for the Acharya and fulltime workers of FTS, Cuddalore Anchal, in collaboration with Gangour and Shasun Chemicals.
One hundred sixteen people were examined (103 female and 13 were mails) free of cost in the camp by the doctors of Aarupadai Veedu Medical College, Cuddalore. Ten females were recommended for further checkup. A video presentation about cancer and its prevention was also shown to the volunteers.
Annual function of FTS Guwahati was successfully organized
FTS Guwahati organized its annual function on 12th March, 2011. Sri Shekhar Sen, a famous artist, performed ‘Vivekanand’ play on this occasion. Though this play was performed 2nd time in Guwahati by the FTS, the auditorium was full. Before this solo play, the president of Guwahati chapter Sri Pawan Agrawal welcomed all the guests. Sri Arun Bajaj, National Vice President, FTS and Sri Vijay Maroo, President, EVFI also addressed the guests.
Arogya Foundation of India conducted the 1st GSS Training Camp
A pilot project has been undertaken by Arogya Foundation of India (ARF) to revive and provide cost effective natural health care facilities to rural and tribal people. The pilot project area was selected in Thalavaady region of Erode district in TamilNadu. The prime objective of this program is to provide cost effective medical services by utilizing the locally available herbs. The program is to select a Grama Swasthya Sevak– GSS (Village Health Volunteer) from a village. He/She will be trained to excel in the filed of Ayurveda and will work as GSS to handle the basic health problems of the villagers.
Training Camp:
GSS (Grama Swasthya Sevak) – Village Health Volunteer training programme was conducted from 07th to 13th March 2011 at AVP Training academy, Mangarai, Coimbatore. The camp was inaugurated by Sri Ramanji of All India Movement for Seva. He was very happy about this project and invited all the camp attendants to visit the Ashram. After that Dr. Satheesh Kumar gave orientation about the camp and GSS. Following to that Sri P.R. Krishna Kumar, Chairman, Arogya Foundation of India had interaction with all the participants. He explained them about their role in the society and how important they are going to serve for the people. After this the regular classes started for the camp by experts in the respective field of Ayurveda and health care.
Many of the classes were handled with multimedia presentation for better understanding of the subjects. In addition to the health related subjects, they were also trained about vermin-compost.
Valedictory Function:
The valedictory function of GSS camp was held on 13th March, 2011 at The Ayurvedic Trust Hospital campus, Ramanathapuram, Coimbatore. The programme started with prayer song by Ekal fulltime workers. The chief guest for the function was Dr. J.S. Bhuvaneswaran (Medical Director SSH, PSG Hospitals) who spoke about the need of healthcare facilities for the rural people. He encouraged the participants about their interest towards services to the society. The valedictory address was delivered by Sri Shreegopal Maheshwary, President, Friends of Tribals Soceity, Coimbatore. He expressed that this kind of GSS (Village health Volunteer) will be much needed and people are definitely going to be benefited out of their service in the society. He congratulated all the people who have made this programme a success. Dr. Satheesh Kumar (National Joint Co-ordinator, Arogya Foundation of India) briefed about the ARF and its vision towards health care service.
The highlight of the function was the speech delivered by Pujya Sri Prema Pandurang who spoke about the cost of medical expenses which is not affordable by poor in our society. She said that needed facilities are not available in remote parts of our country and persons staying there are really in need of this kind of cost effective health care activities. She blessed the team for the success of this project. Certificates and First aid medical kit was distributed to all camp participants.
