Page 20 - The Indian EYE 120321

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline DECEMBER 03, 2021 | The Indian Eye 20

ekal Foundation raises over $4 million

in star-studded ‘Future of India’ Gala

Kamlesh Shah Kiran Mozumdar-Shaw Naren Chaudhary Renu Khator

PRAKASH WAGHMARE invests in Ekal activities, Ekal volun-
teers provides $8 worth of selfless vol-
n Saturday, November 13, unteer efforts. Ekal’s youth-wing had
“Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation raised substantial amount of funding
O(EVF)” raised over $4 million to arrest the spread of Covid pan-
in star-studded virtual Gala, called demic. During the Gala, they freely
“Future of India” that highlighted talked about what attracted them
pre-eminent speakers, Ekal’s eclectic most to this largest social endeavor,
accomplishments and youth’s contri- supported by the Indians and NRIs,
butions to its mission. As per Indian in dozen countries. Ekal supports all
demography, two third of its popula- its activities without any regards to a
tion resides in villages. Ekal, as it is particular region, religion or gender.
popularly known, currently has pres- A galaxy of Bollywood stars –
ence in over 102,000 rural-tribal areas from Hema Malini, Boney Kapoor,
all across India with a reach to over Subhash Ghai to Varun Dhavan, Udit
300,000 such clusters of habitants. Mohan Wanchoo Narayan, Alia Bhatt - provided glitz
Although rooted in education, Ekal with their enthusiastic support for
has blossomed into providing health- ble tribal villagers were in the midst tal tracking of patients by the tech-sav- Ekal. A ZEE-TV ‘2019 Cine Awards’
care, integrated village development, of a horrific tragedy that they had en- vy nursing caretakers, as the core clip, showed three Ekal alumni
empowering functionality and new- dured earlier. As a professional singer point for managing the pandemic. students honored, for exceptional
age technology to these rural folks. he mesmerized the viewers with an Coming from a humble family, achievements. This public honor was
This two-hour event, co-chaired inspiring song in his melodious voice. Renu Khator, President of Univer- bestowed on ‘Pinky Karmakar’ of As-
by Mohan Wanchoo and Kamlesh Kamlesh Shah elaborated on Ekal’s sity of Houston system chancellor, sam who was the torch-bearer at 2012
Shah, both successful entrepreneurs aggressive fight with Covid-19 pan- stressed on the important role the London Olympics, ‘Divya Malgave’
and philanthropist, saw consistent demic and the steps, that were taken education has played throughout of Maharashtra who won a Gold
overwhelming response from the to fight misinformation about the vi- her Steller career. She lauded EVF’s Medal at ‘International Intermediate
donors, from the moment it opened rus and the treatment. From the inter- efforts for women empowerment. Karat Championship’ and ‘Ramchan-
up till it was capped by youthful en- spersed interviews of rural children, it Naren Chaudhary, CEO of highly dra Verma’ of U.P. who has made his
tertainment by “Penn-Masala’, a was quite evident that Ekal has fired successful ‘Panera Bread’ brand, ex- birthplace – ‘Aligunj’ - an ideal ‘Gaav’
youthful group of famous singers up their imagination to aspire for be- plained how his daughter – ‘Aisha’ (village). While unveiling the road-
from “University of Pennsylvania”. coming Doctors, Soldiers, Teachers - was the central motivating factor map for the future, Suresh Iyer, the
The funds raised at the Gala were ets. Ekal’s women-centric empower- in whatever he did in his life. He ex- President of Ekal-USA, confirmed
for specific projects, such as tailoring ment activities and education as a tool pressed unequivocal passion for his that the essential objectives of all
training centers, E-shiksha, Ekal-on- for progress touched a nerve with all country – India – where he had wit- the projects are two-fold – first, to
Wheels, Telemedicine, Gramotthan three chief guest speakers who whole nessed ‘spirit of humanity’ in his own prevent migration of rural folks to
Research Centers, and Integrated heartedly supported Ekal’s selfless time of acute need to save Aisha. urban areas for lack of opportunities
Village Development. mission for the future of India. Kiran Ranjani Saigal, the Executive Direc- and second, to increase the economic
Mohan Wanchoo, who pioneered Mozumdar-Shaw, founder of Biocon tor of Ekal-USA assured him that his and social impact on their lives. He
Gala events at Ekal, regaled viewers and recipient of ‘Padma Bhushan’ daughter’s legacy lives through what appealed viewers to join hands with
with a personal story of how hospita- honor, emphasized the need for digi- Ekal does best. For every $1 a donor Ekal for the better ‘Future of India’.

www.TheIndianEYE.com