A LITTLE OF MY STORY
On August 7th, I had the privilege of joining a small group of Ekal Vidyalaya’s most dedicated and core volunteers for a cozy weekday dinner, graciously hosted by Chhavi and Anupam ji at their home in Acton, MA. The intimate setting, filled with warmth and camaraderie, soon turned into an evening of profound inspiration.
The highlight of the night was meeting Manju Srivastav ji, affectionately known to all as Manju Didi, one of Ekal’s founding members who has devoted over forty years of her life to this noble cause. Listening to her recount her journey with Ekal was nothing short of humbling. With a sparkle in her eyes and conviction in her voice, she shared stories from her visits to remote tribal areas in the 1980s. Tales of illiteracy, exploitation, and hardship, and of how Ekal schools became beacons of hope.
Her firsthand accounts revealed how Ekal tackled challenges both external and internal, working to strengthen the economy while instilling Desh bhakti (patriotism) and sanskar (values) in the next generation. Her reflections reminded me that to chart a path for future growth, one must first understand history. To achieve a mission, a vision is essential. In my view, a nation’s development is like building a home that requires a strong foundation, protective walls, and a secure roof. Ekal’s mission mirrors these principles.
When Ekal began, India was still a young nation, much of it inhabited by tribal communities. The country had faced wars, insecure borders, infiltration, terrorism, and barbaric acts. While development reached bigger cities, rural and border areas were left behind. These regions were rich in natural resources, yet without education or awareness, many communities lived in primitive conditions. Manju Didi recalled one striking memory: villagers eating squirrels while their surrounding land had the potential to grow abundant crops. On another visit, curious villagers touched her saree, eager to know what it was.
For any nation to feel secure, its borders must be protected, and soldiers are essential to that. But a soldier without patriotism cannot truly serve the nation. Ekal recognized that national pride must be nurtured from an early age. At the same time, basic needs like food and shelter had to be addressed. This meant raising awareness about their natural resources, and awareness begins with education. One thing leads to another, and understanding these connections helps us appreciate why Ekal shaped its mission the way it did.
Ekal’s vision of a Bikshit Bharat (developed India) began with uplifting rural areas, especially in border regions. Its multifaceted approach strengthens Indian pride by instilling patriotism and values at the grassroots level, teaching organic farming, offering skill training for self-sufficiency, and even bringing computer literacy to bridge the rural–urban gap. Without knowing Ekal’s roots, one might think it simply fosters nationalism, but as Manju Didi explained, if one cannot feel pride for their mother, they will never feel compelled to protect her.
A tree cannot bear fruit unless its roots are nurtured. Similarly, a country cannot be economically strong unless all within its borders feel secure and self-sufficient. Self-reliant villages reduce urban migration, which in turn curbs the growth of slums. When good governance fails to reach villages, people are tempted by the “greener grass” of the cities, only to face new hardships. Like plants, humans are creations of the earth, and God has given us all we need to thrive within our surroundings.
My own visits to Ekal schools in the past have made me a strong believer in their movement. It is not easy to engage and inspire young children unless learning feels more like fun than a chore. Over four decades, Ekal has mastered how to introduce a school to a village in a way that inspires the whole community.
Manju Didi’s passionate talk left us reflecting on our own course of action. Her four decades of service, supported unwaveringly by her family, radiated dedication, humility, and purpose. On behalf of everyone present, I silently thank her family for sharing her with us. Grateful to the host family too for inviting us on a busy weekday night.
Congratulations to Arushee Divyakriti and Manisha Kumar, the new co-presidents of the Ekal Boston chapter. With their passion and energy, I’m confident the movement here will reach new heights. Our thanks to Ram Nehra ji, pioneer in bringing Ekal to Boston 25 years ago; NE Regional President, Parveen Minocha; Executive Director, Manisha Jain; and board member, Meena Subramanyam ji, for making the evening truly meaningful.
Thank you for reading! Feel free to like, share, and explore more of my posts. Stay tuned!
Dr. R. K. Das
08/13/2025#Ekalvidyalay is setting a good example both in concept and practice imparting value based education to children and showing them the way how to become self- reliant, patriotic and benevolent. Such private initiatives are doing miracles, whereas the government’s education policy and vision document are only in paper, nothing is visible on the ground. China and India had set out on the path of development almost in the same period in early 1950s. Now after 75 years, China is far ahead of India in development, in science and technology. India is no match. That’s precisely because our political leadership is corrupt, immoral and it betrayed the people. Even now villages in the interior are as undeveloped as they were 20/ 30 years ago. Development is visible only in metros, big cities and urban centres. Once a natural calamity like a cyclone strikes, the people of the affected ares stay in precarious and helpless conditions for months and even for a couple of years. But the country’s Prime Minister is wasting crores in road shows, flying in a sophisticated 8,500 crore plane and drives in a 4- crore car. He has let an adivashi to become the President of India and another the Chief Minister of Odisha just to monopolise the tribal votes. He seldom visits tribal villages except for an election campaign nor has come out with any master plan for their education, employment or healthcare needs. Only empty slogans. India needs more of Manju Srivastavs and Manorama Choudhurys to really change the development landscape of this rich country inhabited by poor people.
Manorama Choudhury
08/14/2025Thank you for your time to read and for deeply reflecting on the same matter! Regards.
Manju Srivastava
08/21/2025Thank you Dr. Das for giving compliments for Ekal Abhiyan. I hope you will take an opportunity to see Ekal working on the field. Our Prime minister had seen the Ekal Vidyalayas in gujrat when he was the CM. He understood the potential and merits of Ekal. When he became PM , he enquired about Ekal’s meritorious credentials. Not only that , he accepted that govt. machinery cannot reach so much deep and farthest areas of jungles where Ekal’s dedicated Karyakartas. He gave us target, reach out to one lakh villages in remote, sensitive and vulnerable areas of the country by 2022 . Sir , Ekal reached in one lakh two thousand five hundred villages in 2019. The unique and innovative Structure of Educational program of Ekal imparting Five vertical education in the villages captured the attention of many educationists, social scientists and reformists.
Dr Das , thank you once again.
Jitendra Kumar Mohanty
08/20/2025Pranam to Manju Didi. ‘ An evening with Manju Didi’ narrated by Mrs Manorama Choudhury is full of words her heart.Congratulation to her. I found the great potential in the following lines.Once again Congratulations to Manorama.
(1)….to chart a path of future growth, one must first understand history.
(2)….But soldier without patriotism can not truly serve the nation.
(3)….A tree can not bear fruits unless it’s roots are natured.
Mrs Manorama has understood the Aim,Activities and intention of Ekla hence these sentenced have come from her.
Best Regards.
Manju Srivastava
08/21/2025Namaskar Jitendra ji
I am glad that you took time to read it . Thank you so much for appreciating my dear Manorama whom I met in Boston. She is gifted with rare qualities. As a writer, poetess, blogger and overall a noble hearted person like a true odia . I have visited the remote Villages in tribal areas, small and big cities in Odisha. Hence, I understand them well. Thank you once again for acknowledging the Ekal ‘s merits and the merits of Manorama,truely a God’s gift.
Manorama Choudhury
08/22/2025It was truly an honor and a pleasure meeting you, Manju Didi. The evening was filled with insight and inspiration for many of us, and before that inspiration fades, I felt it was worth capturing in words. Much love and gratitude for your kind words!
Manorama Choudhury
08/22/2025Thank you for your thoughtful observation about my reflections. What Ekal is doing at the grassroots level on a massive scale is worth acknowledging. Meeting Manju didi reassured many of us that our selfless service is worth all the efforts. Regards!