Ekal Vidyalaya’s ‘Ekal Sur Ekal Taal’ show gets 58 sponsors
Mitra Das (left) motivating us with his homemade musical instrument. (All photos: ByteGraph)
On March 12, 2017, Atlanta was in for a treat when a group of performers from Ekal India came to Berkmar High School in Lilburn, GA to entertain Atlanta residents. These performers are past students and teachers of Ekal Vidyalaya and came to the US to appreciate the donors’ support and to increase awareness about Ekal’s work in neglected rural and tribal areas to eradicate illiteracy.
After the ceremonial lamp lighting, a beautiful recreation of “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara” (“One Tune”) performed by Ekal India team to demonstrate the power of India’s “Unity in Diversity” received a standing ovation.
Arvind Sharma (right) gave a speech on philanthropy and education; he connected the dots between the Gita’s message on perfection of renunciation, and the need for collective action to eradicate the curse of illiteracy—prompting Murli Reddy, President of Charter Global, to comment that Ekal’s vision made him emotional: “If we want new India to compete on a global platform, it is our moral responsibility to provide basic education to some of these uncounted children so that they can participate in the opportunities the new world has to offer.”
Sudakshina Mukherjee (3rd from left) and her Atlanta Nritya Academy team performed a dance segment on women’s empowerment, showing how emotions can have an impact for good on generations.
Ekal India performed a heartwarming segment on patriotism by dancing and singing to various Hindi songs. The audience stood up and danced and sang along. Sudakshina Mukherjee and her Atlanta Nritya Academy team performed a dance segment on women’s empowerment, showing how emotions can have an impact for good on generations. Divya Srivastav’s 8- to 14-year-olds from Geet Rung Dance & Music Academy danced to Bollywood favorites with attendees dancing, clapping, and singing along. Nineteen kids from Prem Dance Studio also performed to Bollywood hit songs.
Divya Srivastav’s 8- to 14-year-olds from Geet Rung Dance & Music Academy danced to Bollywood favorites. (Photo: ByteGraph)
Mitra Dasa demonstrated the power of philanthropy by showing how he took a discarded can, wood, and string to make a musical instrument. He played it and explained that each member of the audience is giving new life to students in India by supporting Ekal.
Kiran Kodithala gave a motivational speech on the purpose of life and the value one assigns to saving another human being. He asked, “How much are you willing to spend to save the life of your child? $10,000? $100,000? A million?” Everyone agreed: as much as needed. He then asked for $1/day to save a child from illiteracy and thereby save a life.
A great rendition of the Ramayana concluded the event. Amoli and his Ekal India team performed impeccably, with singing, dancing, and gymnastic abilities that impressed.
The auditorium had reverberated to thunderous applause after every item with comments like “phenomenal,” and “perfect expression.” Attendees liked the fact that classical, film, and folk elements were presented, ensuring that there was something for everyone to enjoy.
Amoli choreographed a wonderful program and helped Atlanta get sponsors for 58 schools. His “Ekal Sur Ekal Taal” now continues on a national fundraising tour. Ekal – GA’s President Shiv Aggarwal commended the many volunteers needed for this well-organized, engaging program for a very worthy cause!
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About Ekal:
Ekal, a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt nonprofit entity has been working since 1986 in neglected rural and tribal areas to eradicate illiteracy. It operates and supports innovative, single teacher non-formal schools for underserved communities, providing free basic education, healthcare, vocational training and empowering them. With support from 42 United States’ chapters and those in Australia, Canada, Dubai, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and Nepal, Ekal is changing the lives of over 1.5 million children through 1262 schools in Nepal and 54,764 operating successfully from Kashmir to Kerala in India.
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