Capital Carols!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008: The Christmas is here and how! Tuesday evening at Dilli Haat was an altogether different experience for everyone present, as hundreds of children from Deepalaya sang carols as they joined Hon able CM of Delhi, Ms Sheila Dikshit. The programme organized by Sahitya Kala Parishad, New Delhi in collaboration with Bhagidari, saw little children from the Deepalaya performing continuously for 45 minutes! 
Deepalaya Choral Group in performance
More than 250 children from various Deepalaya Schools in the City took the crowd at Dilli Haat by surprise. These children were trained by Deepalaya and launched as the Deepalaya Choral Group on the 30th Anniversary celebrations of the NGO, two months ago. Since then, the children have been participating and showcasing their talents in various events and competitions in Delhi. In the recent past, they have done the organization proud in many ways, both in terms of performance and achievement. Some of the recent awards were those won at Swaram Competition by Marthoma Church, Dhwani organized by Malayalam Congregation (CNI), functions at St Thomas Church and Kerala Christian Association, Gloria Deo 2008 "Concert for Peace and Unity by Live Jam and so on. These budding musicians were also part of the famous French Opera, "Carmen" in April 2008. Recently the group also participated in the Shakespearean play, ˜A Midsummer Night's Dream under the banner of the popular Akshara Theatre, along with students from other elite public schools.
Ms Dikshit with the Choir children
Tuesday's function was a result of the impression these budding artistes left on Ms Dikshit at their launch, when she could not help but promise them a chance to perform on a larger platform. "These children from Deepalaya have indeed fulfilled the void of a huge Choral group in Delhi", said Ms Dikshit as she came up on the stage to encourage the children. She gladly accepted the invitation of being amidst the sea of children, who rejoiced to have the CM right between them, congratulating on how well they performed.
Deepalaya Gusbethi children at the British School
People passing by and those enjoying time at Dilli Haat could not move from their places as the group performed. It's amazing to hear such a harmonizing symphony of sound and music, said Tanuj Khurana, who came shopping at Dilli Haat, but stopped to hear children singing so well. Another visitor Parineeta congratulated Deepalaya for its work. She said,It's wonderful to see the children putting together such a performance. Thanks to the team which helped bring out this beauty out in the open.It was indeed a delight to have these children of Deepalaya perform as they sang Carols to the Capital!
Ravi thrills the audience with his solo
Begun back then!The celebrations at Deepalaya started way back with children from Gusbethi performing at the British School on the 16th. Students and staff from the elite school had visited them some time ago, when they got them Wish Cards made. This day was a dress rehearsal for Christmas. Little Deepalaya kids did exciting dance numbers and Ravi sang an English solo.The performances from Deepalaya were appreciated by one and all to be able to enable not-so-fortunate children stand and compete with the blessed ones. We did a good show! Back home, the kids were very happy to receive goodies like track suits, sweaters, stationery items and toiletries from the British School.
