04-06-2013 Ekal Vidyalayai

Chicago IL: Chicago community came in large numbers to support a very worthy cause- The Gift of Education” for the underprivileged Children of rural and tribal villages of India. Swar Sanjeevani 2013 was held on Saturday, April 06, at Glenbard North High School, 990 Kuhn Rd, Carol Stream, IL 60188. Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation Chicago Chapter organized this charity fundraiser event to provide free education to Rural & Tribal villages of India .

Ekal Vidylaya- Peoples movement Started by Ordinary People. Ekal’s philosophy is to take a holistic approach to social and economic development and eradication of illiteracy from remote and tribal villages of India .The Ekal movement is the largest, grassroots, non-governmental education movement in India, operating in over 46,966 villages and educating over 1,335,078 children in rural India. Goal is to reach 100,000 villages by year 2015 .

This year, 2013, marks 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the revered ‘spiritual master of modern age’, who more than a century ago, initiated the concept of ‘oneness’ of global humanity. Noting the vicious cycle of poverty and illiteracy in India, Swamiji had emphasized, “If the poor child cannot go to Education, then the Education must go to the child”. Chicago Chapter is proudly sponsor of “ Ekal National Conference “ in September 2013 .

Each year ‘Ekal-USA collects around $4 Millions (40 Lakhs Dollars or 20 Crodes Rupees) through their fund-raising concerts. In the last few years, “Ekal” has received numerous prestigious Awards and Grants, including ‘Best NGO’, for its transparency of operation and outstanding administration.

Ekal Chicago chapter collected $18200 at this charity music concert to benefit over 300 schools in India.

Ekal is a transparent organization where 10 % of funding is used for administrative expenses and more than 90% of the funding goes for the actual cause of imparting education. The transparency of this organization has made it a very unique movement. This year generous Chicago community members before the start of the event raised funds to support 300 schools and working very hard to reach their desired goal ,

Because of active support from donor every child can take a step to bright future, Ekal is existing in almost every state of India with 47,000 schools and serving to Approx. 1.4 Million children’s educational needs.

Ekal’s Deepak lighting was done in presence of Dr Ashutosh Gupta , renowned Nephrologist known in Indian community for generous philanthropic activities , Dr Mahendra Patel & Hansa Patel along with Chicago chapter president Dr Hasmukh Shah & Jyotsana Shah

Mr. Harish Doshi who introduced the President of the Chicago Chapter, Dr. Hasmukh Shah, performed the Master of Ceremony. Dr Hasmukh Shah is a renowned Physician practicing in Sterling IL and actively involved with Ekal activities since year 2001. He is also the Regional President of Central Region in Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation USA . He visited in person Ekal schools where he witnessed Ekal schools in operation and services provided to underprivileged children . He strongly believes that its time for us to give back to our community and help the needy children have access to education.

Dr. Shah recalled the statement made by Swami Vivekananda that if a child can’t go to school, then a teacher should go to the child . “His dream has now taken shape with over 46000 schools from Kashmir to Kamyakumari and Somanath to Assam . We are fortunate to celebrate his 150th birthday this year by making his dream and vision come true by committing ourself to support this EKAL school with generous donation. Vidhya Dhan is the greatest of all Dhan”. He thanked all the tireless volunteers for the work they do to make this program come true and dream of thousands of children in tribal India.

Ms. Shree Gurusamy, a Social Worker by profession who actively works with the Immigrant Families and Seniors of Chicago, made an appeal for donation. In her appeal, she stressed the importance of teaching our children to understand the importance of sharing and giving to the less fortunate. She spoke about Ekal Movement’s phenomenal success that has led to economic development of India. She urged community members of Chicago to extend their support to bring hope to children of rural India and give them the opportunity of a decent livelihood.

This year marks 25th year of “Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation” which has been dispensing 1) Functional literacy 2) Health care training 3) Integrated Village Development and 4) Empowerment education in tribal and remotest rural areas of India, while transpiring localized empowerment never seen before.

To highlight this achievement of attaining the landmark ‘Silver Jubilee Year’, “Ekal Vidyalaya Movement, USA”, a duly registered non-profit, tax-exempt Organization, launched a whirlwind series of over 40 fund-raising concerts all over USA between February and June, this year. Keeping up with their tradition of bringing the top notch talent of Bollywood, ‘Ekal’ this year invited ‘SA, RE, GA, MA, PA’ Melody queen ‘Sanjeevani Bhelande’ and popular singer Chirag Panchal to entertain their well-wishers. Along with them Mohit – Keyboard and Flute, Amit – Tabla and Dholak and Rupesh – Percussions.

Playback singer, music director, poet and author Ms Sanjeevani Bhelande is the first ever Talent show winner in the history of Indian television, to have got a Bollywood playback opportunity. Film maker Vidhu Vinod Chopra gave Sanjeevani her first playback song in film Kareeb. Chori chori nazrein mili, ensconsced Sanjeevani’s sweet-sensual voice in the minds of listeners. She won the best playback singer award for this song. Several other hits followed like churalo na dil mera sanam, Nikamma kiya, Makhmali yeh badan, Yara rub russ jane de for several music directors like ARRehman, HImesh Reshamaiyya, Sandesh Shandilya, Anu Malik etc. Sanjeevani is an ace live performer. Blessed with a charming on-stage presence She has performed over a 1000 live concerts world-wide. Her specialty is the classical based golden classics, which she sings effortlessly. The latest feather in Sanjeevani’s cap is her book and album MEERA AND ME. It is Sanjeevani’s dream to perform a musical on Meerabai on Broadway.

Chirag Panchal (Singer and keyboard Player)
Winner of the mega finals of Zee TV’s popular music show ”Sa Re Ga Ma” awarded by Usha Mangeshkar.
Winner of 7 consecutive episodes of Zee TV’s ”Hero Honda Sa Re Ga Ma Pa”.
Winner of the finals of ”Sa Re Ga Ma-Marathi’ on Zee Marathi.
Winner of the finals of Annu Kapoor’s popular ”Aao Jhoomein gaayen” on SAB TV.

Audience was totally mesmerized by the mellifluous voice of Sanjeevani and her musicians. The 900 plus audience enjoyed the show with great appreciation and nostalgia. All the attendees gave a very positive feedback. This program was an excellent, flawless event. It took audience to old memory lane. This event was well organized by Ekal Chicago volunteers and welcomed by all the music enthusiasts.

Mr Kamlesh Shah thanked all patrons , donors & supporters for their year after year continuous donation towards Ekal’s initiative. With the kind of momentum ‘Ekal’ has gathered in recent years, and over 4,000 selfless volunteers joining hands, the future of establishing 100,000 schools in remote rural areas of India is definitely not a distant dream. Pl visit www.ekal.org and find more about Ekal Vidyala Foundation of USA.