Deepalaya - Enabling Self-Reliance

Dedication, hard work and resolute focus on your goals: that’s the price of success. Komal, a student of class X at the Deepalaya School, Sanjay Colony knows this only too well. Her father is a mason and mother is a housewife. Together they struggle to meet the rising cost of living in Delhi and fending for their 7 children. Providing quality education to their children, under such difficult circumstances has been a challenge for them. Deepalaya reached out to this deserving child and convinced her parents to send her to school. Acknowledging that educating their daughters was absolutely crucial for their well being, her parents sent all of them to Deepalaya School. Deepalaya values the fact that it is empowering the entire family to secure a better future for them. Three of Komal’s sisters are married. She is the fourth child of her parents. “I want to become a news reporter. I want to be famous” she says determined to utilize fully every opportunity that comes her way. She has been an achiever all through, standing first in her class every year. She studied in Deepalaya School since Kindergarten and stood first in OBE (Open Basic Education) exams conducted in Classes III, V & VIII. Her younger siblings look up to her and aspire to follow her footsteps.

Not only is she an achiever in academics but also in extra curricular activities such as dancing, drawing and painting too! In 2004 she won an award for painting, from none other than the then President, Shri A.P.J. Kalam. She repeated her winning performance by getting a prize again, at another painting competition held by NHRC in December 2007. And this time too she was awarded by President Pratibha Patil. Way to go Komal!

This versatile achiever has nimble feet too. Her passion for dancing led her to win a national level competition and be awarded with a trophy and a three month scholarship from Shiamak Davar’s Institute of Performing Arts. She also won the Kishori Lal Sehgal Award for her dancing skills, which was given at the Annual Day of Deepalaya School. Surrounded by her friends, she says, ambitiously “I want to be the best in everything I do”.

We feel proud at having nurtured this budding achiever. For Komal there is no looking back as she challenges every obstacle that comes her way. Blessed with supportive parents and above all, the will to struggle against all odds this young achiever continues to inspire thousands of underprivileged children who hope for a bright future.

Indeed, “Success is not a destination but a journey”. As Komal stands on the threshold of youth with abundant opportunities waiting for her, Deepalaya will hold her hand, walk along with her, stride for stride and proudly watch her reach for the stars.