Adharshila - The School

Moving towards board Affiliation.

2011-12-15T14:59:00.001-08:00

Adharshila had applied for board affiliation a few months ago and earlier this week the the school inspection was carried out by the authorities.

The results of the inspection would be made available to us shortly and we are awaiting the same with eagerness.

Adharshila VI Annual Function

2011-12-15T01:09:00.000-08:00

November 24, was a grand day for the kids at Adharshila, Kohra. This was the day, Adharshila was born, birthday of Dr. Surjan Singh ji, in whose memory Adharshila was established and thus being celebrated as the annual day for last six years. This day has always been like an Indian festival being celebrated, not just the kids also the teachers, organizers, parents, villagers and well wishers around the globe are excited and there is festivity in the air.This time though,weather around Kanpur played spoil sport, canceling trains and trips of well wishers, who were unable to travel down to Kohra.This had dampened the spirit of the kids and the teachers, as they were looking forward to showcase their talent, abilities and growth to their well wishers, especially to the team of Netapp, who have been supporting the school in many ways.

This year, school had managed to construct a devoted platform for such functions, which used to be makeshift earlier. The Connaught’s and tents were in place, red chairs lined up, mikes and speakers were being tested, kids were already here, obedient ones sitting quietly on the duree, with their parents taking the chairs. The rowdy ones were on the swings or just loitering around in packs.The event was organized for a larger audience this year, but the crowd’s strength showed that, the tents and chairs

would fall short again.The event began with the chief Guests, lighting up the lamp and being greeted with a melodious vandana by perhaps the best vocalist around town aged fewer than twelve. One by one, the events unfolded, skits, plays, songs, qawalli’s and some of the best stand in humor around Kanpur. All of these were presented by a master of ceremonies, who must have been an eight year old, in distinguished English with an accent of a seasoned performer.

Teachers, busy and hurried with makeup and prompting, parents having a hearty laugh and admiring their little ones perform, some affluent ones, in a typical Kanpur style showered the performers with inam, an award as a gesture of appreciation, I was told this year the inam had gone up in substantially in numbers as well as value.The day ended with the distribution of prizes to the good performers of the previous year. It was heartening to see, that a school in such a desolate village, was awarding these little ones, who otherwise, would have never been noticed beyond their walls.Post the ceremonies and the performance, there was carnival of sorts, at least 30 to 40 vendors squatted with their goodies, bright colors, delicious aroma of fresh jaggery, puffed rice, jalebi’s et al.The whole village was visible in its elements here, this sure was a festival.For those who would not really know the essence of Adharshila, this would hardly look like a miracle, but to those who know the what, how, who and why, this day has been nothing but a sure win for the spirit of humanity.There are miles to go still, many more annual day to celebrate; it was hope and gratitude that was visible all through. For those who are a part of it, please be known that, you were remembered now and shall always be in the gleam of those eyes. Written by Rajesh SinghPosted by Nupur Hasija

Update on the new construction which is currently on.

2011-04-16T01:33:00.001-07:00

Adharshila - the school, update of progress.

View more presentations from Vijay Singh.

Looking forward to the semi-final and to some serious contributions to Adharshila.

2011-03-30T03:47:00.000-07:00

This is how the game is looking at the moment;

For every run that Sachin scores Adharshila gets a contribution of ;

Rs. 100 from SH

Rs. 100 from BR

For every wicket that Harbajan takes Adharshila gets a contribution of ;

Rs. 10000 from VS

Incase Sehwag scores a century Adharshila gets a contribution of ;

Rs. 5000 from MM and he will also contribute Rs. 1000 for every wicket that Zaheer takes.

If Sachin scores a century Adharshila gets a contributon of ;

Rs 5000 from NS

For every 4 or 6 that Sachin scores Adharshila get a contribution of :

Rs 500 from CH

In case Afridi scores a century Adharshila get a contribution of :

Rs. 5000 from MM

For every run that Sehwag gets Adharshila will get a contribution of ;

Rs. 10 from NN

For every run that Yuvraj gets Adharshila will get a contribution of ;

Rs. 10 from SS

For every 4 that India scores - Rs. 100/- and for every 6 - Rs 500/- is what gets donated to Adharshila ;

from MS

For every 4 that Sachin scores Adharshila will get a contribution of ;

Rs. 100 from PB

Please join in, cheer for your team / player and make a meaningful contribution to the cause.

Cricket & Adharshila

2011-03-30T00:27:00.000-07:00

The fact is that we all are passionate about cricket – and tomorrow’s clash is going to be a classic encounter.

Some of us are betting big on our favorite players performing. We are already praying for Sachin and Harbajan’s stellar performance because for every run that Sachin makes tomorrow – Adharshila will get 100/- and for every wicket that Harbajan takes we will get 10000/-

We request you all to declare your love for Cricket and your love of Adharshila. Join us in the cheer.

Nupur Hasija

Adharshila in Media

2010-12-27T00:55:00.000-08:00

Sponsor (a) Teacher/s for Adharshila

2010-11-30T22:58:00.000-08:00

We have been able to sustain quality education over the last 5 years through our own meagre resources and collections from tuition fee (Rs. 100/- per month). However, one area we are having trouble with is with retaining our teachers. Though, Adharshila is good ground for start of a career for the new teachers, but as they learn well among us, they are lapped up by other city based schools. Teachers, too prefer a city life and a better remuneration package, leaving class rooms empty, where students suffer.

Also as we increase the level of classes every year, it becomes tougher to recruit quality teachers for middle school and above. The numbers of candidates are lesser and their expectations in terms of salaries are higher.

We have realized that we need to offer the teachers a better remuneration package and a system of continuous upgradation of skills.

We would need sponsorship for teachers for quality education as well as for their sustainability. By supporting the salary of teacher you would be supporting students who will benefit in turn.

The ideal amount for a middle school teacher in the current scenario is in the range of Rs. 4500/- to Rs. 5000/- per month plus travel allowance depending on how far is he/she travelling from (average Rs. 700/- per month). Ideal duration for sponsorship – at least one year.

Do not hesitate and pen any amount, whatever you could spare. Of course, you deeply know of the effects it will generate and the satisfaction it could get you.

It’s for the right cause, and like us, you are in good company.

We would update you of our achievements on a fortnightly basis, as the funds and help rolls in.

Please draw your cheques in favour of : ‘Dr Surjan Singh Memorial Foundation’ and send to

EB-42, Maya Enclave, New Delhi 110 064.

Looking forward,

Nupur Hasija

Posted by Nupur Hasija

CSR activity by Netapp at Adharshila

2010-11-24T01:00:00.001-08:00

Netapp is an IT organization which provides solutions from corporate data centers to engineering departments and remote offices all over the world. In India, being a forerunner on IT storage solution, its corporate employees volunteered an activity of Corporate Social Responsibility, aiming to lend a helping hand to the underprivileged and foster its spirit of nurturing their roots further.

The CSR activity was held at the premises of Adharshila. The 6 good Samaritans from Netapp volunteered and visited Adharshila from 18-19 November, 2010. The activity included, a painting competition organized for the Adharshila students, planting of trees at the Adharshila complex and also the whitewash and painting of school walls.

The painting competition for the students turned out to be an eye opener for the volunteers. The creativity, skills and zest of Adharshila students had astonished the globetrotting executives, they were just in awe!

The advent of winter was a good time for the planting of trees, which would not just provide fresh air, but would also act as a boundary to the school, protect from sunlight in harsh summers and reduce dust and gust of wind and rain. Above all, the Adharshila family till times to come would remember the good human beings from Netapp.

The whitewash of the Adharshila school building was much needed. School building has 7 classrooms, 1 library cum computer room, display area, 2 rooms for administrative and faculty and the toilets. The Netapp volunteers not just sponsored the painting of the walls, but spent a good amount of energy painting the walls by themselves and we can undoubtedly declare that the finishing is no less than that of Michelangelo, at least to the Adharshila family it is.

We can safely assume that if Netapp volunteers were a kindle of hope to the Adharshila family, even the family did not let them down. Their apprehensions regarding the food, which was served by the villagers, hygiene, livability even the weather were put to rest. Kohra is no resort, but they sure know how to treat their guests, especially if they are here to lend a helping a hand.

The day long interaction of the volunteers with the kids did leave a lasting impression.
The talent of these kids could in no way be undermined by their counterparts in any part of the world. They sure did not have as much facility, but even in the absence they showed tremendous zeal for learning. If only there were a few more Netapp’s for the ones at Adharshila, it would be a different world for these kids altogether.

Nothing could be more rewarding than the visibility of the prolonged smiles on the faces of the children as well as the volunteers as they interacted. The true purpose of doing whatever technology they were ushering in was here. For all the targets and deadlines, here was the motive. Every penny, every moment, every effort worth.

Posted by Nupur Hasija

Sponsorship for Teachers in Adharshila

2010-08-16T22:47:00.000-07:00

We have been in good company. You have in past been of tremendous inspiration to the family of Adharshila. Even just a small note or a “I Like” thumbs up sign on the Facebook page is inspiring enough to walk a few more strides in enthusiasm with an upward curve of our lips.
Thank you so much!
A little update on Adharshila.

It’s largely been a good year and we have been able to sustain through the year with meager resources , a little and much appreciated help from our friends and of course your regular inspirational pats. An extra class room was constructed recently increasing the student strength to 230.

However, one thing we are having trouble in, is retaining our teachers. Though, Adharshila is good ground for start of a career for the new teachers, but as they learn well among us, they are lapped up by other city based schools. Teachers, too prefer a city life and a better remuneration package, leaving class rooms empty, where students suffer.

We have realized that we need a twofold approach to tackle this issue. First, of course a better remuneration package and second, a system of continuous up gradation of skills for the teachers and a better motivational package.

We know we are in a good company here with you. Your support in either of our endeavors will be highly appreciated.

For the second approach, we are already in the process of tying up with larger and reputed institutes in the vicinity like Kanpur with teacher mentoring programs. If you wish to know more and would like to help us with the same, do contact us.

For the first, we would need sponsorship for teachers for quality education as well as for their sustainability. By supporting the salary of teacher you would be supporting students who will benefit in turn. We are looking for Rs 5000 per month of salary for a teacher which comes to around Rs 1,20,000 for two years and we are in need of at least 3 new teachers for higher classes i.e. for Standard VII & VIII. The total amount comes to Rs 3,60,000.

Or at least a sum of Rs. 1, 00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh) in the next one year to assure the proposed increase in the salaries of the teachers.

In discussions with friends, we have realized that, they always do want to do things and do wish to contribute, but usually postpone things for a better time when perhaps they would be able to afford more and contribute bigger.

Well, we must tell you it’s like putting on weight around your belly. You never notice that a few spoons of sugar daily would be an extra 10 to 20 kgs over the years. It is the consistency and regularity that matters, not the amount. However, small the amount might seem to you, to us it’s a drop that will fill the ocean.

So do not hesitate and pen that amount, whatever you could spare. Of course, you deeply know of the effects it will generate and the satisfaction it could get you.
It’s for the right cause, and like us, you are in good company.

We would update you of our achievements on a fortnightly basis, as the funds and help rolls in.
Please draw your cheques in favour of : ‘Dr Surjan Singh Memorial Foundation’ and send to
EB-42, Maya Enclave, New Delhi 110 064.

Looking forward,
Nupur Hasija

Posted by Nupur Hasija

Adharshila & Mighty Lights

2010-04-27T07:05:00.000-07:00

Rehman’s walk back was more brisk than ever, he just couldn’t wait to reach home, the sun was almost down and it would be dark in a few minutes this winter evening.

Today he did not waste a moment in gossips at the prayer hall, usually he would return home not before another few hours were spent with the village folks discussing politics or religion. But then today the excitement seemed like the same day he had first ridden a bicycle.

Ah, there it was, shining bright and calm; the light of the lamp was like a full moon in glow, in fact much more than that. The sight itself brought so much of soothing to his soul. It surely was a mighty light.

Bilal his 10 year old son, squatting next to it, engrossed deep scribbling on his book.

Adharshila had done a second wonder in his life.

First was to provide education to Bilal, who had proven his mettle by performing well in all his academics, just than he was growing up and what was taught at school had to be rehearsed at home. But for Rehman who could not afford a night lamp, there were no street lights at Kohra, and Rehman’s name did not appear on any government scheme to receive his ration of kerosene, which was scarce anyway.

Bilal had been suffering, and this had kept Rehman bothering for a very long time.

This was the second wonder. Today, the Adharshila people had provided Bilal with this mighty light, and he could already see, the kids of the neighborhood were making a beeline to his house. Things will surely not be the same again.

Posted by Nupur Hasija

The Number of Female Students in Adharshila

2010-04-02T18:57:00.000-07:00

Further to the last update, there was a question on the number of female students who are currently there in Adharshila and how does it compare with other schools in the area. Below are the details;

Class Girls / Total

Nursery - to take new admissions

Class KG - 7/27

Class 1st - 8/31

Class 2nd - 11/25

Class 3nd - 7/16

Class 4th - 2/28

Class 5th - 6/34

Class 6th - 3/18

Class 7th - 4/24

Total : 48/203

24% of the students are girls.

While this might be a little higher than other schools operating in rural India (esp. in UP), the ratio is still very low. We are keen to start a special scholarship program / assistance program to encourage the admissions and "continuation" of the education of the girl child.

Roll Call as on 2nd April 2010

2010-04-01T23:38:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

While the admissions are commencing from today, the number of current students per class is as under;

Nursery - to take new admissions

Class KG - 27

Class 1st - 31

Class 2nd - 25

Class 3nd - 16

Class 4th - 28

Class 5th - 34

Class 6th - 18

Class 7th - 24

Total : 203

New Sessions Starts Today

2010-04-01T18:35:00.000-07:00

The admissions for new session at Adharshila starts today. The results for the last academic year would be handed out to the students and parents over the next two days.

The new session would mean addition of another class - 7th to the school.

2010-02-11T07:31:00.000-08:00

www.aaramshop.blogspot.com

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www.aaramshop.com

Adharshila Annual function 2009 covered by Media

2009-11-28T05:20:00.001-08:00

On the occasion of the Adharshila school function, the press complemented the vision of the management and the implementation of the basics of education in a backward village. Find few of the press clippings.

Few pictures of Annual Function 2009

2009-11-28T05:12:00.001-08:00

Annual Function 2009

2009-11-28T05:10:00.000-08:00

Adharshila celebrated its 4^th Annual function on 24 November, 2009. The function was attended by around 400 people including parents and other residents of village Kohra and nearby villages. Every child of the school participated in the function. The synchronization of the students left the audience spellbound. The boys doing the dance with perfect rhythm were a right to behold. The kindergarten children won the heart of the audience with their action songs and story enactments. The scripts, costumes and choreography were all designed by the teachers themselves. Find few pictures.

Prizes were awarded to meritorious students under various categories ranging from All Round Excellence, Academic Excellence to Outstanding performances in the field of sports.

Adharshila in Media

2009-11-28T04:51:00.000-08:00

A write up on Adharshila was featured in a magazine for Kanpur society
called 'Detour lifestyle' and hindi local newspaper 'Dainik Jagaran'.
Find the copies of the coverage in the Superwall of Adharshila
facebook.

Distribution of solar lights

2009-11-28T04:43:00.000-08:00

The Foundation (SSMF) distributed 25 nos. of solar lights to children
of Adharshila for free. The lights were distributed to children who
were good in studies and come from the very poor background.

These lights will help them study better and would also help them in their health as against the kerosene fumes which they in...hale. We plan todistribute lights to all the kids of Adharshila in second phase. This would enable us to encourage the kids to perform better in studies.

The solar lights have been sponsored by Cosmos Ignite Innovations. Cosmos has developed the Mighty Light, a solar-powered LED-based lamp that is waterproof, portable and runs for up to 12 hrs.

Anand Vahan

2009-11-28T04:33:00.000-08:00

Anand Vahan is the first transport vehicle with Adharshila, A Tata Sumo.

Anand Vahan, or vehicle for happiness, was aptly named; it did bring a lot of happiness to a lot of faces, and in the memory of late Dr. Anand Bhaskar, someone who cared for everyone’s happiness.
There is a lot more to this vehicle than just its utility.

It was donated by Mrs. and Commodore V.A. Bhaskaran to Adharshila in memory of their elder son Dr. Anand Bhaskar www.anandbhaskar.com).
Anand a doctor by profession was living in London when he passed away at an early age of 30. Having just been married for 9 months, nothing could have been more sorrowful for his family members.

Anand was the elder son living in London and Vivek Bhaskar, younger, who lives in Canada.

Anand’s father was so fond of his vehicle which he wouldn’t share even with his sons.

His son’s untimely departure withered him from all worldly fondness. He wanted his possessions, close to his heart to be of better utility.

That moment, when we did get a call from uncle, breaking us the news of his intention of donating his vehicle, was nothing short of a miracle or providence or divine intervention.

The night before, till late morning, we didn’t know how to take Adharshila ahead, as children were unable to travel such a distance to attend school and we could hardly afford a vehicle. It was like being in a dead end, and perhaps all of us must have spent that night in some sort of anguish. And then that call at 8.30 in the morning changed everything.

There surely was a greater power, there surely is a destiny. We were on the right path and we had the sign.

If Adharshila has taken a few steps today, it is because of the Anand Vahan.

At least 70 children from the nearby villages use Anand Vahan to reach Adharshila.
What could be a more justified utility?

Commodore V.A Bhaskaran, uncle passed away this year, may his soul rest in peace.

His family is still very much a part of Adharshila and continues to inspire us.

Adharshila - an update

2009-09-19T02:42:00.001-07:00

Check out this presentation which covers the state of affairs of the village, the other educational facilities and some of the details of Adharshila. Also please join our group on facebook.

Adharshila

View more documents from VijaySingh.

The School Bus

2009-04-30T02:25:00.000-07:00

The "new" bus which has been picking up and droping kids on a daily basis from 11 different villages. It travels a distance of 80+ kms every day. One of the problems faced by the school was the inability to collect transport fee from all individuals on a monthly & regular basis - the fee ranges from 50/- a month to 250/- a month depending on the distance.

Keeping in view the delays and problems in collection, it has now been decided to collect the transport fee in advance for a month ( & at a 10% discount if paid for the quarter.) This will come into effect when the school re-opens in July.

Welcome to this new blog.

2009-04-29T23:23:00.001-07:00

We have being using our blog since December 2004 to keep everyone posted of the small and big developments at our school - Adharshila.
For some technical reasons we were unable to add the newer aspects of technology on the old blog site and decided to migrate to an alternate site within Blogspot. This new site will allow subscriptions and updates to our readers on a regular basis and will hopefully prove to be more "user friendly".
If you wish to read the old postings (we hope to bring thing on this page eventully) please visit http://adharshila.blogspot.com/ .

Adharshila - The School

Moving towards board Affiliation.

Adharshila VI Annual Function

Update on the new construction which is currently on.

Looking forward to the semi-final and to some serious contributions to Adharshila.

Cricket & Adharshila

Adharshila in Media

Sponsor (a) Teacher/s for Adharshila

CSR activity by Netapp at Adharshila

Sponsorship for Teachers in Adharshila

Adharshila & Mighty Lights

The Number of Female Students in Adharshila

Roll Call as on 2nd April 2010

New Sessions Starts Today

Adharshila Annual function 2009 covered by Media

Few pictures of Annual Function 2009

Annual Function 2009

Adharshila in Media

Distribution of solar lights

The Foundation (SSMF) distributed 25 nos. of solar lights to childrenof Adharshila for free. The lights were distributed to children whowere good in studies and come from the very poor background.

Anand Vahan

Adharshila - an update

The School Bus

Welcome to this new blog.

The Foundation (SSMF) distributed 25 nos. of solar lights to children
of Adharshila for free. The lights were distributed to children who
were good in studies and come from the very poor background.