“Ek Sham Ekal Ke Naam” raises $87500 for Ekal Vidyalayas in India

By Rachna Gupta and Mahadev Desai
Photos by Deepak Naik and Dipti Trivedi

Despite Covid protocols and limited seating, Atlanta Chapter of Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of USA’s music and dance event “Ek Shaam Ekal Ke Naam” on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at the Impact Center, Global Mall, Norcross, GA turned out a sold-out fundraiser program. The program was beautifully conceptualized, choreographed and coordinated by Geet-Rung School of Dance and Music’s Divya Srivastava and Pankaj Bhargava. The audience was treated to myriad colors, with vintage repertoire of songs and delightful presentation of an enthralling mix of old classics, ghazals, 90’s hits, and new upbeat foot tapping numbers by Atlanta’s popular vocal artists Pankaj Bhargava, Anupama Krishnan, Anita Gupta and beautiful strumming by renowned guitarist Gurinder Negi. The audience enjoyed songs like “Pal Bhar Ke liye Koi hume Pyaar kar le”, Amitabh Bachchan hits “Apni to Jaise taise” and “Khai ke Pan Banaras wala” which got the VIP’s, the audience and the singers on the dance floor!! The riveting dances of the talented students of Geet-Rung School of Dance and Music added additional color and flair to the evening,

Ekal’s program always includes a sumptuous dinner during the Meet and Greet hour before the entertainment program begins. After enjoying delectable appetizer, entrees and desserts catered by Ashiana Restaurant and socializing with other members of the Ekal family, the attendees were warmly welcomed by emcees, GA Events Coordinator Neetu Singh Chauhan and Rachna Gupta. This was followed with Ajay Upadhyaya, Regional Vice President’s inspirational welcome song “Jeeven Se Bhari Teri Aankhe”, he sang to slides that reflected Ekal kids, their innocence and eyes, which soulfully connected the audience to Ekal’s cause.
 

The veritable dance and musical feast was graced by the presence of Dr. Rich Mccormick, newly redrawn 6th Congressional District’s candidate for 2022, Mr. Dilip Tunki, City Council Elect for Johns Creek, Ms. Neera Bahl, Appellete Division Judge, Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation and Mr. Harsha Agadi, who has served as CEO for classic American brands like Crawford, Friendly's Ice cream, Church's Chicken and Little Caesars, and Ms. Rina Gupta, a steadfast Ekal volunteer and representative of 27th Investments.

Mr. Shiv Aggarwal, Ekal Chapter President and owner of Global Mall invited the guests of honor to light the traditional diya (lamp) which was followed by a traditional Invocation dance by Geet-Rung students.
 
Preeti Tanwar’s presentation highlighted Ekal’s one-teacher school model followed in all the Indian States, from Kashmir to Kerala. For an annual sponsorship of only $365. Ekal has brought literacy and life-enriching opportunities to over 10 million students in 102,000 rural villages. Each Ekal school provides basic education to nearly 20-30 students with an almost equal boy-girl ratio. The Ekal program of free basic primary education has been expanded to provide vocational training, social empowerment, and healthcare for adults, resulting in far-reaching changes in neglected villages of India and Nepal. Ekal’s Telemedicine and Tailoring Centers have been very active during the Covid pandemic producing much-needed masks and providing training to local women to use mobile phone-based telemedicine toolkit to help triage common ailments or connect to a doctor using videoconferencing.

Samiksha Gaherwar, Ekal’s Youth wing volunteer described the Internships, Presidential Service Award, Workshops, Special Projects, Fundraising, Public Relations activities available and invited the youth to connect with the National Board, start a high school chapter, or hold workshops. With all these activities and opportunities Ekal is the largest grassroots non-government organization with chapters in Australia, Canada, Dubai, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States.
 

Once the audience members visualized the huge social impact their $365 contribution would make, they were very excited to sponsor Ekal schools on the spot. Some even preferred to sponsor anonymously. Audience members sponsored one, ten and even 54 schools and reached a total of 222 schools in just 4 hours! Several members renewed sponsorships of their currently assigned schools, which are being run in their own name or in memory of their parents. It was very heartening to note that there were 31 new Sponsors who have become a part of the Ekal family for the first time. Sponsors can track their school at www.ekal.org, connect with Ekal on Facebook and Twitter or visit an Ekal school as part of the Vana-yatra program.
 
All members of the Ekal family worked hand in hand to make the evening memorable, with Sandeep Savla installing the screen and projector, Sushma Patel providing an elegant backdrop, VHPA serving much needed chai-paani, all the artists, students, sponsors, donors, volunteers, and supporters reaching out for Ekal Vidyalaya.
 

The energy and cheerfulness was palpable and as joyful music and songs continued providing evening’s entertainment, more and more attendees took to the open dance floor.

All in all, it was a well-orchestrated, enthusiastic, engaging, much appreciated and enjoyable program for a very worthy cause!