Deepalaya - Enabling Self-Reliance

Deepalaya, participated in the Hutch Delhi Half Marathon on the 16th of October 2005, as the largest participating contingent. Rtn. T.K. Mathew, the Secretary and CE of the organization lead the team of 550, comprising of enthusiastic students, teachers, social workers and staff. National and international athletes rubbed their shoulders with business barons and celebrities along with the children’s of Deepalaya.

The Marathon had a special purpose set for Deepalaya-the donations/pledges collected will be utilized for further boosting Deepalaya’s supporting girl child education program. It also served to sensitize the general public on issues on protection of girl children specially when Delhi is grappled with alarming gap in sex ratio, foeticides, violent abuses like rapes and dowry deaths.

The students of Deepalaya beautifully dressed in blue, yellow, white T-shirts of Deepalaya with embedded message “enabling self reliance” participated with full enthusiasm and cheerful smiles showing the tireless team spirit and strength of being a part of deepalaya. Five Dream Team members, namely Ms. Sharon Lowen, noted Odissi dancer; Ms. Annie Koshi, Principal St. Mary’s School; Rear Admiral R.C. Bhalla; Mr. Y Chakochan and Rtn. T.K. Mathew participated on behalf of Deepalaya and have raised Rs. One Lakh each for the Cause.
The event reinforced Deepalaya’s resolve to enhance girl child education to set forth a new era where gender equality prevails in every aspect of lives. Overall Deepalaya reaches out to approximately 5000 girl children and female beneficiaries through its various educational and vocational institutes. The collection of around Rupees Ten Lakhs from the Delhi Half Marathon shall enhance education of girl children who hail from families at risks and marginalized communities.
Deepalaya had participated in the Mumbai Marathon in Jan ’05. The funds raised were earmarked , for the cause of street children. Deepalaya emerged as the highest pledge raiser. The sum collected was earmarked for maintaining 60 street children in the transit home in Deepalaya Gram. The total collection of over Rs.10 lakh encouraged us to increase the enrolment to over 95. These include 28 girl children from vulnerable backgrounds.