Deepalaya's News

“Only he that has traveled the road, knows where the holes are deep”

There's always something magical about traveling, it's as if the world opens up to you. Life has not been the same for the Super Six (Sonu, Chandni, Chandan, Indira Nair, Ambika and Divya) of Deepalaya since the time they traveled to the United States in the month of June this year. (See Picture). They were amongst the 51 odd students from across the country who got an opportunity to go abroad for further studies. Visit http://deepalaya.org/node/321 to know more about them. After three long months at their stay in the foreign land, two of them share their experience with Deepalaya. Without further ado read on to find out.

“My lifestyle at the United States of America is a complete contrast to the one I had in India. The teaching style here is also very different from my country and the people have taught me to live life to the fullest, no matter what it takes,” commented Sonu Singh who is pursuing Business Management & Administration in the US. He further added that “No question is a silly question, it will be silly, if you don’t ask any question” was what one of the teachers said to me on my first day to college and they practice what they preach. A thousand answers are given patiently and politely for the same question asked a thousand times. The teachers adopt different techniques while teaching like incorporating innovative games etc in order to make it a fun moment.”

Sonu (extreme left) with his friends in the US

Like John Hope Franklin, one of the famous historians of the United States, Sonu believes that we must go beyond textbooks, go out into the bypaths and untrodden depths of the wilderness and travel and explore and tell the world the glories of our journey.

Similar are the views of Indira Nair, who is presently pursuing “Health Profession including Nursing” from the US. She feels that this experience of being in a foreign land is an education itself as she is able to explore and meet people of different cultures, learn new languages, think of new horizons and moreover life beyond slums. She said that, “Though I miss my parents and country a lot, but I also realize that I am one of the fortunate students in the world to get this kind of opportunity and am trying my level best to make the most out of it. I would also mention that it is indeed because of Deepalaya that I am able to feel this way.”

                                                             Indira (in the middle) with her friends in the US

Keep checking this section for more on the alumnis and stories of Deepalaya students. Do send your feedback on feedback@deepalaya.org

By- Pooja Sikka, Officer- Communications

Someone rightly said that, “Calm the winds of your thoughts, and there will be no waves on the ocean of your mind.” With this thought in mind the Coordinators of Deepalaya Extended Education Program (DEEP) organized a 3 day Art of Living Camp for the children at the East Delhi project locations.

The 3 day camp was jam-packed with 300 enthusiastic children. The trainers used different techniques to bring out the creativity among the children. The workshop designed by the Art of Living Foundation was particularly targeted towards children (8-14 years) to teach them to counter negative tendencies and introduce balancing effects on children.

“The children face concentration and learning problems. This is why we thought of organizing this camp. The trainers were very patient with the children during the sessions and it was amazing how every student participated to the fullest,” commented Mr. Akash Mishra, Program Officer of DEEP.

The activities included physical and breathing exercises to help children improve their memory and the quality of attention in order to lead them towards a healthy way of living. Children were taught the importance of human values such as cooperation, friendliness, desire to help and deference through games and fun filled activities.

“The trainers and teachers were impressed by witnessing the attentiveness and enthusiasm among the children and were thoroughly involved in the camp. The teachers have too observed positive changes like improved concentration abilities, communication skills and ability to withstand peer pressure etc among the children,” commented Ms. Jeebanjyoti Mohanty, Asst Manager, Programs.

Deepalaya Extended Education Programme focuses on identifying, educating and mainstreaming out of school children of 6-14 years of age at the East Delhi locations (Patpar Ganj & Kalyanpuri). The programme aims at motivating the parents and other stake holders towards educating their children. The children are regularly given non-formal education and remedial education in the respective learning centres.

Send feedback to feedback@deepalaya.org
By- Pooja Sikka, Officer- Communications