Deepalaya - Enabling Self-Reliance

Shyam Narayan Verma, an alumnus of Deepalaya School, aspires to make his mark in the fashion world. But his meager background constrained him from achieving his goal. His father runs a small tea stall at Okhla where his mother lends a helping hand too. Shyam has two brothers and one sister. Hence, money was a constraint. At this point, Deepalaya’s assistance facilitated him in translating his dream into a reality. Today, Shyam is pursuing Diploma in Apparel Manufacturing Technology from The Apparel Training and Design Centre, Okhla, New Delhi.

Deepalaya was not an unfamiliar name for Shyam. He shares a bond of seventeen years with Deepalaya. He started his education in the preschool at Gole Kuan a slum in South Delhi. Egged on by Deepalaya, he got admission in the nearby Government School. He used to attend remedial classes provided by Deepalaya and secured 70% marks in 12th Boards in Commerce stream. He has also completed his graduation in commerce from Aurobindo College, Delhi University. He also has an eleven year old association with Abhinay Samooh, a theatre group developed by Deepalaya, which performs street plays in and around Delhi to create awareness about education and other development issues. He says that he has got a lot of exposure by being a part of Abhinay Samooh. Shyam acts and script plays for the group.

Shyam attributes his achievements to Deepalaya. According to him, Deepalaya has always been a friend in need for him. Incessant guidance from Deepalaya kept him going on and on. Teachers always encouraged him to reach out for the sky and play his own tune. He feels honoured to represent Deepalaya in Hutch Delhi Half Marathon 2006 as a Dream Runner and is confident that he too would be able to garner support for Deepalaya from his circle of contacts.