Non-profit Ekal Vidyalaya holds several fundraising events in Illinois

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The Ekal Vidyalaya Chicago North chapter held an event  Saturday, May 20 2023, at Manav Seva Mandir, in Bensenville IL   attended by more than 400 supporters of the non-profit which supports education projects in India in remote tribal villages and for the underprivileged.

This was Ekal’s fist in-person event in Chicago area, according to a press release. Ekal organized three successful fundraising events in Illinois during the weekend of May19 – in Bloomington, Bensenville, and in Naperville.

Ekal Vidyalaya (www.Ekal.org) operates schools in more than 84,000 remote rural villages in India and Nepal, providing basic literacy to over 2.2 million children. It focuses on functional literacy, skill development, health care, organic farming, and women’s empowerment.

New President Rootvij Bhatt and new Vice President Nirmesh Patel and their leadership team of volunteers organized and managed the May 20, event flawlessly, a press release said. Yashaswini Desai initiated the event with Deep Prajwalan and welcomed the honorable guests – Dr. Hasmukh Shah, Jyotsna Shah, Dr. Nishendu and Purvi Baxi from Ekal, Dr. Vandana Shah a big supporter of Ekal, D.P Prajapati executive board member and Sandip Shah president of Manav Seva Mandir, Dipti Desai the Sewa Chicago chapter Coordinator, Prasad Athanikar President of Chicago Maharashtra Mandal.

Many Ekal supporters from the community organizations volunteered during this event, including more than 20 young volunteers serving during the event, which included a dinner. Ekal’s Youth chapter is active in local communities serving annually at local food pantry during Diwali and mentoring and training new volunteers.

Singers Vishwanath Batunge and Naina Sarma performed at this event.

Ved Patel, 11 year-old student from Prairie View Elementary School, Bartlett, IL, shared his story of how he sold his video games online and collected $150 which he donated for Ekal schools. Abhay Agarwal student of Stevenson High School encouraged and inspired others to serve in Ekal. Ten year-old Aarth Bhatt, from Townline Elementary School shared his wonderful Ekal village school experience.

Kruti Patel and Rootvij Bhatt inspired people about the Ekal activities and appealed for donations. Dr. Hasmukh Shah provided an overview of Ekal initiatives and progress.

On May 13, 2023 the Ekal Chicago chapter also held a successful event at Chicago White Sox stadium. Kruti Patel and Pinu Dhruna, past Ekal chapter president and vice president respectively, have been instrumental in forming a new Ekal volunteering team.

Many board members of the Ekal Chicago chapter regularly visit tribal areas in India during the year to support the organization’s mission.

Sanjay Patel thanked the Ekal volunteers, Ekal supporters, Manav Seva Mandir, SEWA, HSS, Bhailal Patel from Desi Talk, Vandana Jhingan from TV Asia, various community leaders, and recognized the big donors. Among the donors are Dr. Arun Shah and Dr. Vandana Shah who sponsored a Tailoring Center in Sagbara-Dedipada, Narmada District of Gujarat.

For more details, visit Ekal Foundation