Illiteracy: The Root Cause of Poverty and Slavery

I am working with this wonderful NGO for the last 2-3 years. The prime motive of this NGO is – imparting education to the children coming from the down most strata of society. This NGO works for the growth of those who can never dream of getting the education like us. It is a wonderful experience for me to teach these children. It is of immense pleasure to play with them, to listen to their thoughts about life! It is a new world for me and has changed me as a human being. It is not only peaceful but also seem to provide meaning to my life as well when I am with them. It is really soothing and exciting to see them growing in such a different atmosphere. Alas, everyone, the world should contribute like this to eradicate illiteracy and poverty from this beautiful earth.

Illiteracy is the real cause of poverty and slavery which results in human miseries. If we the well off people pay a little attention to these people, I am sure wonders can happen on the earth…

But I unable to understand why no one thinks about the causes of such illiteracy and why nobody thinks about solutions to this gigantic problem…?

Anubhuti Jain

Ek Koshish one attempt

Children from Poor and Inhumane Background Going School for the First Time

Children from Poor and Inhumane Background Going School for First Time
 Dharam Veer
Kiran
Nancy
Mangal Kumar
Pradeep Kumar
Yash Kumar
Priyanka
Ek Koshish feels immense pleasure to write this blog that our constant efforts to make the children coming from the very very poor and inhumane background of society, eligible to take admissions in an English Medium Modern School.
Ek Koshish has been providing coaching and training continuously to 23 children since long for making them capable of receiving proper education at public schools so that they become successful in their lives and be equally placed in the society and get rid of the curse of poverty and inhumane livings. Out of these 23 children, seven children shown in the photos above have qualified for admissions in Dr. Karam Vir Public School, an English Medium Public School at Faridabad. Ek Koshish has fully sponsored their entire admissions and monthly tuition fees and other expenses to be incurred on their education (uniforms, bags, books and other stationery, etc) as their parents could not have afforded any of their expenses. Most of the parents are daily wage earners and seek work on a daily basis. They also belong to farfetched areas where life is too tough and harsh having always lack of even basic amenities and facilities and no education at all.
It was a matter of proud for the entire team of Ek Koshish to see the parents of children so happy on the occasion of admissions of their children. They were very excited to see their children going for the first time to any school. It was visible on their faces that they could believe to see that their children would be admitted in an English medium public school in which children of the rich class also take education. During the discussion with them, the parents of these children told that as far as their memory goes back, no one in their entire family had ever gone to any kind of school what to say of public school. All parents of these children are illiterate knowing no alphabet (except one i.e. father of Yash who attended primary school in a village up to 2nd standard in the village). The parents of these children have now started dreaming to make their children Engineer, Doctor, Government officer, etc. May God bless them to see their dreams turning out to be true!   
To see the ecstasy, joy and happiness and other mixed emotions of happiness (which is very difficult to express in words) on the innocent faces of these children, on the occasion of their admission, was really a great moment in our lives which one can really equate with ‘bliss’. 
The entire team of “Ek Koshish” is very very thankful to all who have contributed in this “one attempt” and further hope that the same co-operation shall be rendered to us for all such humane efforts dedicated to society. Ek Koshish is highly thankful to its volunteers especially Mrs. Sunita and Mrs. Daisy who have contributed a lot by putting their much-needed efforts to make these children capable of public schools. We are also thankful to Mrs. Sunita who has in addition to her other efforts, taken the responsibility of Kiran also. 
Ek Koshish One Attempt

CHILDREN AT EK KOSHISH CELEBRATING REPUCLIC DAY OF INDIA

CHILDREN AT EK KOSHISH CELEBRATING REPUCLIC DAY OF INDIA

We feel honoured when children from slums whom our organisation has been imparting educational training continuously, celebrated our Republic Day with great enthusiasm. The entire team of Ek Koshish took part in the celebration along with the children.

Ek Koshish organised a drawing compeition in which the children took part with great zeal and drew paintings of our National Flag with their wonderful imaginations. Really it was a great effort that these children were participating in any drawing competition for the first time in their life.

Some of the paintings made by these children:

Children singing ” Jhanda Uncha Rahe Hamara…”:

JAI HIND

Ek Koshish one attempt

FESTIVALS OF LOHRI AND MAKAR SAMKRANTI

FESTIVALS OF LOHRI AND MAKAR SAMKRANTI
It is one of the most important festival of Northern India which is celebrated with utmost fanfare in traditional style. This festival is always celebrated on 13th January. Lohri  marks the end of winter season and it is the day when the sun changes its course also which is also called ‘Makar Samkranti’ which too is celebrated throughout India which marks the start of auspicious days. Makar Samkranti marks the transition of sun from Saggitarius to Capricorn during winter in the northern hemisphere which is called ‘Uttrayan’ (Sun starts moving towards northern side).  In Northern India It is called ‘Makar Samkranti and celebrated on 14th January.  In other parts of India, it is celebrated with different names like Pongal in South India, Bihu in North East India etc.  People who are inclined towards old traditions and religion, take a dip in the morning in the holy water of sacred rivers or ponds etc and worship the Sun to give them peace and prosperity. People also give charities to the poor and needy ones in the form of food, clothes and also money etc. These traditions are still alive and in small town and cities of India which are not fully affected by modernism, one can find stalls distributing hot food, clothes and money to the poor and needy ones on the day of Makar Samkranti.  This tradition is continuing since the time immemorial and finds its mention in our ancient scriptures as well.
As regards Lohri, it is a festival of Punjab in India and it has its origin in Punjab and nobody knows as to how it started and how old it is. There are various stories popular behind this festival.
Some people believe that it is related to the famous tale of a person namely ‘Dulla Bhatti’. Dulla Bhatti was a highway robber in Punjab during the reign of Akbar who was the emperor of India at that time in 16th Century. Dulla Bhatti used to rob the rich only for specific purpose to help the poor and needy with the money he robbed from the rich. He also used to rescue the girls who were kidnapped and taken forcibly for sale in  the slave markets of other neighbouring countries. He also used to give money to the parents of the rescued girls for arranging their marriage. As such he was a superman for the people of Punjab during that time.  That is why the most famous song of  Lohri  which everyone in India is well acquainted and sings with great zeal has his name in almost every line of the song to express gratitude to Mr Dulla Bhatti, a bandit by profession but a noble soul.
 When the festival of Lohri starts approaching in January, small groups of boys and girls knocks at the door of houses and start singing the famous song of Lohri i.e. “Chunri Munri ho, Tera Kaun Bichara ho, Dulla Bhatti wala ho………….”. People take it as auspicious if the groups of the little boys knocks their doors singing this song. In turn, people give them popcorn, peanuts, dry fruits, crystal sugar, sesame seeds (til), jaggry as well as coins. Though, in big cities, this tradition of boys knocking the doors on Lohri is getting reduced, but in small towns and cities of Punjab and Northern India, one can discern these things very easily for at least 15 days before the festival finally comes on 13th January.  
Some people are of the belief that the festival of Lohri has  its an other link. It has derived its name Lohri from the word  ‘Loi’ who was wife of a famous poet cum saint, Kabir Das who also lived during the period of Akbar in 16th century. In local Punjabi dialect, Lohri is pronounced as Lohi. Some people associate this festival with an other ancient legend of Holika, and Lohri is believed to be the sister of Holika. Holika was burnt in the holy fire by Hirnakashyap who was against even the recital of God’s name. Holika burnt in the holy fire but Lohri survived after that. And people celebrate this festival to remember her. As regards Holika, Hindus celebrate a separate festival for her holy sacrifice in the fire, called Holi which too is celebrated in the month of February or March every year. Holi is the festival of colors which is well known all over the world.
 
Celebration of Lohri is very simple but very attractive which tightens the relationship and emotional bonds between the people. Freinds, relatives and family members gather  in the open space in or outside home and light a bonfire at sunset. All sings together and move around the bonfire dancing, rejoing and chanting  Lohri songs. They also throw some peanuts, jiggery and sesame seeds (reoris) etc in the bonfire to worship it. In addition to this, they sit around this bonfire gossiping, cracking jokes, doing mimickery, singing songs, playing antakshri etc for hours making the atmoshpere more pleasant.This continues for 2-3 hours till 10-11 pm. Really It is fantastic to celebrate such festivals in India. Some people organise dinner etc on this occasion which adds to the celebration. In villages of Punjab, people celebrate this festival whole of the night.
May God bring peace, harmony and prosperity in the world ….. Let us do our Ek Koshish one attempt to make the world a single family through these festivals !
 Ek Koshish one attempt

Stop Sanitised Barbarism”

“Stop Sanitised Barbarism

Girls are Pearls, Save Them !!!

In its attempt to spread awareness in the society about the dangers of sex imbalance in the society due to increasing female infoeticide which was called “Sanitised Barbarism” in the decade of 1970s, Ek Koshish has orgainsed a drawing competition on the topic in which students at Ek Koshish and friends of the team of Ek Koshish participated. This was awarded as the best drawing:

 
Let Us Join Hands do Ek Koshish One Attempt – in Making the Most Sacred Place (Womb of a Mother) Safe for Innocent Girls before Their Appearance in This Beautiful World !!!!!

Ek Koshish one attempt

An NGO Dedicated to Society