Deepalaya - Enabling Self-Reliance

In the middle of a dirty slum with appalling civic conditions, Deepalaya School at Sanjay Colony brings hope to poor hungry children running between piles of garbage. A simple grey door decorated vibrantly with colourful paper that leads up to the school, is the entrance to an opportunity for a better life, for hundreds of poor children from this slum.

Starting with very few students, Deepalaya school at Sanjay Colony is now providing education to about 1000 children. The children from this school belong to parents who are working as masons, rickshaw pullers and security guards. Their poor socio-economic background is not a deterrent in excelling either academically or otherwise.

On 9th January 2008, Deepalaya School at Sanjay Colony celebrated its Annual Day. The occasion was graced by Mrs. Lowen who is associated with us through her daughter Sharon Lowen, a Friend of Deepalaya. Mrs. Lowen sponsored the financial expenses towards corrective eye surgery for Durga, a student of Class VIII. She was absolutely delighted to meet Durga at the school and took a keen interest in her health.

Mrs. Lowen has instituted an award ‘Manasa’, given for all round proficiency to a student of Deepalaya School, Sanjay Colony. Ritu from Class VIII bagged this award which was conferred on her by Mrs. Lowen. She also inaugurated a colourful board magazine prepared by the talented students of this school. Mrs. Lowen also inaugurated an exhibition of colourful bags, pen stands, cushion covers, wall hangings and various other household items handmade by the children.

The celebrations in the school started with the lighting of the lamp and singing of prayer songs. Mr. T. K. Mathew, Mr. M. O. Peter and the Board members were special guests of honour at this event. The speech rendered by them on the occasion truly gave us an insight into the lives of the less fortunate and sensitized us towards our social responsibility. This was followed by scintillating dances, hilarious plays in English and group songs by the star performers of the school. ‘Being differently abled is not a curse, given a chance we too can prove ourselves’. This was the message put up by our extremely talented differently abled children, through their lively dance. A teacher at the school read out the School Annual report in Hindi for everyone in the audience, including parents, to be able to understand. Prizes for academic excellence, good conduct, cleanliness, sports and various cultural activities were given away. Many children received Sh. Kishori Lal Sehgal and Smt. Leela Sehgal Memorial Award, Punnoose Thomas Memorial Award, Indira & Jai Foundation Cleanliness Award, Ms. Grace & Late A. Thomas Ayroo Kuhyil Awards for brilliant academic performances and all round performance. One of the most pioneering awards was the
Best Parents’ award and this was given to Mr. Shiv Prasad and Mrs. Usha Devi. The program was a huge success leaving all the guests very impressed by the high potential and enthusiasm of the children. At the end of the programme, Mrs. Lowen had a very thought provoking message for everybody. Her words “Accomplish everything that you want” and the impressive performance of the children lingers on in our minds.
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