(Image source from: Indiawest.com)

Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of USA organized ‘Future of India’, the fundraiser gala last week at the Hyatt Regency in Long Beach, California. The event had Bollywood star Vivek Oberoi as a special guest, Indian American actor Omi Vaidya as the emcee, and Emily Church, executive director of the XPrize Foundation, as the keynote speaker.

The event began with actress Priyadarshini Roy singing the Indian and American national anthems. Later, Ekal USA Chief Executive Officer Suresh Iyer and gala co-convener Anil Parekh welcomed the audience. Iyer also provided a look at Ekal’s plans in the next five years.

Ekal Vidyalaya provides free education to more than 2.5 million children each year in 95,000 rural villages in India and Nepal. Also, it works for the development of remote and tribal villages in India, focusing on health and hygiene, economic development and women empowerment using technology and e-transformation tools.  

Executive director Ranjana Saigal explained the various activities that Ekal has undertaken in the villages of India.

                       (Image source from: Indiawest.com)

Speaking to India West, Vivek Oberoi revealed about his philanthropic activities and foundations set up by him that provide support to tsunami victims, cancer patients and homeless women with mental illness, among others.  

Kicking off the pledge drive, emcee Omi Vaidya auctioned off a one-dollar bill signed by Oberoi for $2,000. Several donors as well pledged $10,000 to $50,000 individually and collectively for various Ekal initiatives, eventually raising at a total of $2,000,000 with matching grants.

Founded in 1986, Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation is a non-profit organization in the United States that provides all its assistance in India’s rural areas regardless of the recipient’s religion, caste and gender.

By Sowmya Sangam