Overwhelming Community Support Received by Ekal Vidyalaya

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. A Musical Evening was held on Saturday, April 05, 2014 at Schaumburg High School Auditorium 1100 W Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60194. Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation Chicago Chapter organized this charity fundraiser event to provide free education to Rural & Tribal villages of India .

The program started with Dinner between 5-30 to 6-30 pm. Harish Doshi served as the MC for the entire program.

On behalf of Ekal Chicago chapter he thanked all for supporting “ Ekal Vidyalaya’s “ initiative to provide free education to RURAL & TRIBAL villages of India. Ekal is existing in almost every state of India with 57,502 schools and serving more then 16,21,396 ( 16.2 M ) children’s educational needs .

Each year ‘Ekal-USA collects around $4 Millions (40 Lakhs Dollars or 20 Crores 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 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 358 schools and at this charity music concert they raised funds to support 582 schools in India.

Ekal’s Deepak Lighting was done in the presence of Amrit Mittal,one of the leading donor and three winners from draw of Tickets. Artist introductions were done by Jugal Doshi & Rachel Kapadia.

Anil Bhatt and Darshanaben Bhatt were inspired to join in Ekal Vidyalaya from his son Sunjay. In 2000 Sunjay was involved in Indicorps which is a non-partisan, non-religious, non-profit organization that encourages Indians around the world to actively participate in the developing progress of India. Sunjay went to India for one year and learned more about Ekal Vidyalaya. He spent a lot of time in small villages. During this time he made hundreds of DVDs and lots of educational material for Ekal. Anilbhai and Darshanaben were involved with Ekal since the last five years.

“Last two years Ekal Vidyalaya progress is considerably appreciable, people are aware more about Ekal Vidyalaya .The growth of establishing schools has been exponential. Ekal Vidyalaya is more people oriented and is “By the people, For the people, and To the people”

It is heartening to know that Ekal is planning to organize Garba during September this year with a view to create awareness about activities of Ekal. Details of the same is under planning and as soon as they are finalized, it will be published.’

Vibhavari (Yadav (Lead singer) known as the Nightingale of Gujarat, has a mellifluous voice with an amazing range gliding over nearly three octaves. With her sound footings in music she has enthralled the audience all over India and abroad with songs of Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Noor Jahan, Shamshad Begum, Suraiya, Geeta Dutt and many other famous singers. Her talents and the performances of the Vibhavari group have been appreciated not only by audience but by stalwarts like music directors like Naushad Ali, Anil Biswas, Ravi, Khaiyyam, Snehal Bhatkar, Ravindra Jain.Vibhavari has enthralled the music lovers by performing in more than 1200 shows all over India and Abroad.

Sunil Menon- A versatile singer, ZEE TV “SAREGAMA” Finalist, (2005} capable of singing all styles, especially old Hindi film songs & Sufi singing style. Suni has a vast background & experience of doing CONCEPT STAGE SHOWS for nearly 12 consecutive years, specializing in old as well as new songs.

Piyushkumar Bhatt is competent in playing various Musical Instruments. Piyushkumar has over 25 years of experience of performing for clients of different stature. Piyushkumar has good command in operating Electronic musical instruments, musical frequency modulator appliances. knowledge of editing and developing Sounds on so many platforms. Melody Synthesizer, Keyboards, Guitar, accordion, harmonium,piano, harmonica etc. Also Piyushkumar can play drums, chonga-conga-tumba-bonga, tabla, dholak-dhol, duff, bistones, matuki, Djembe, Rotoset, Timpani, octopod etc… All types of Percussion Instruments.

Daxesh Patel, Maters in Performing Arts in Tabla from M.S.University with 2 Gold Medals. Daxesh plays all percussion instruments like Tabla, Dhol, Dholak, Pakhavaj, Duff, etc. Daxesh has performed all over India and abroad individually and with Meghdoot Melodies Club and the Vibhavari group. Was selected to perform in Durham (U.K) in the cultural exchange program (historic tour) between The Maharaja Sayaji Rao University and The Durham University.

Jaykumar Natu is an excellent rhythmist and percussion player, and can play any percussion instruments and rhythm including Octopod, Drums, Thumba, Kongo-bongo,Pakhwaj, Dholak, Tabla, et. Jaykumarhas performed all over India and abroad nearly twenty five hundred shows with Meghdoot Melodies Club and Vibhavari & Group.

They enthrailed the audience with unique and entertaining songs with enthusiastic spirit. Sunil and Vibhavari took the audience through different eras of Bollywood music which have captured our hearts for ages.

Later a video presentation was given followed by small orientation by Dr Hasmukh Shah that gave a basic idea about Ekal’s transparent organizational practice and how does it functions in rural and tribal villages .Dr Hasmukh Shah is renowned Physician practicing in Sterling IL . Actively involved with Ekal activities since year 2010 . He also visited in person Ekal schools where he witnessed ekal school operation and services provided to underprivileged children . He strongly believes that its time for us to give back to our community.

Let the journey continue!! But no really, lets make this happen next

Each year ‘Ekal-USA’ collects around $4 Millions (40 Lakhs Dollars or 20 Crore 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. 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.
Tonight is very special for all of us. We are here to support very noble cause and show our kind support with School donation. Ekal Chicago is fortunate to have schools donated before actual fundraiser and I am glad to say today’s goal exceeded from this outstanding audience with their generous donation.
This year marks 26th 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.

The Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation is tax exempt, registered non-profit service organization dedicated to education and village development in rural India. Ekal’s philosophy is to take a holistic approach to social and economic development. 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 57502 Villages and educating over 16,21,396 children in rural India. Goal is to reach 100,000 villages by year 2015.

To highlight this achievement of “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 Aditi Bhagwat and Vibhavari Groups.

Vibhavari Group and Aditi’s Group have been successfully performing alternatively at different venues and have already performed nine shows and are going to perform about thirty shows.

Audience was totally mesmerized by the mellifluous voice of Vibhavari Sunil and their musicians. The 550 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. There were two other shows organized by Chicago Chapter of Vibhavari Group namely on 4th April at Rockford, which was for the first time and there donations for 43 Schools were received and there the audience was more than 250 and on 6th April where there was nearly 400 attended and donations worth 80 Schools was also received as per talks with Jyotsnaben Shah..

Harish Doshi thanked all patrons , donors & supporters for their continuous donation towards Ekal’s initiative. With this 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