Tour of and Performance at a Pharmaceutical Company

In January we went to Marck Biosciences Pharmaceutical Compnay’s Annual Cultural Show program, to perform for the company’s 1000 staff and employees.

But, we arrived early to give the kids a tour of the Factory. 

Was a great learning experience. How products are Manufactured, Systems, Processes, Machines, Technology, Labor,  Production, Packaging, Distribution, Marketing, and Safety.

The kids observed with their safety outfits on and asked questions, observed and absorbed. A beautiful learning experience, that then led to a fantastic outdoor performance in the Gujarat cold winter weather. 

Ripple Effect :)

A cute lil 14 yr kid came up to me being inspired by the mesmerizing and energetic performance by the Ekatva kids and said, " Didi, I wish to gift these kids, the money I have been saving for a year." After having a conversation with her mom I knew about her hobby of designing and creating wedding invites and envelopes. These savings were from the money she earned by selling the envelopes. This lil act of hers touched my heart n I felt glad that the show has started sowing the seeds of love and compassion and there are many such invisible ripples being send out. :)

Exploring the creative side!

While in Anand for Ekatva dance tour, one of our dear friends invited the kids to Flo Art Gallery to bring light to their creativity and teach them the art and craft of clay. We thought this was the best opportunity to involve our kids in activity that would help them develop skills using their senses; convey their emotions and ideas creating a beautiful experience. As we reached the studio, we observed the beauty in the warm and lush green ambiance featured by pond, palm trees and thatched huts. It was fun experience for kids to visit the gallery and have a glimpse of different art work displayed in form of sculptures and murals inspired by traditional Indian forms, pharaohs of ancient Egypt and wild tribes of Africa. After touring the gallery, kids enjoyed exploring their imagination, planning the color to paint their Ganesh idols made of clay. They experimented variety of colours in fun and interesting environment at the production studio behind the art gallery. Each one was engrossed in the process of painting and learning and within no time, the painting space started looking very artistic!

Deepest gratitude for all those who made the Anand Ekatva Show a super duper hit :))

The Family Behind EKATVA - Part 2: Nilamben

Wonderful Big Sister - Nilamben

You can see the spirit of paying back to the community alive in her and being put into practice each day through her work. As a young child, she always dreamt of joining the army and serving her motherland. With her family not being supportive enough to her aspirations she took up teaching.

She has been a Teacher to 1st through 4th graders of the Balsanskar project and 5th to 7th graders of the Ashramshala Residential School based in the Gandhi Ashram for over 2 and half years. She has introduced creative methods of teaching and is currently designing the Value-based/Education curriculum for all Manav Sadhna education projects.

Being a constant learner, with a quest to recognize her inner potential, she always tries to grow through her involvement in various projects. Presently she is actively involved with ‘Swagyan’(self understanding) project, an experiment in alternative education initiated by Stanford University in collaboration with Manav Sadhna.

In EKATVA, her caring and consistent support has created a healthy developmental environment for the EKATVA kids. She understands the behavioral changes our kids are going through with the onset of puberty and sensibly handles issues related to it. She manages and supports all of their educational needs including having personal relationships with all of their teachers and principals. When on tour she personally prepares study schedules for all the kids wisely managing their time so their academics do not suffer.

She has proved to be an amazing, multi-tasking bask stage specialist as well as  'wardrobe supervisor’ maintaining all costumes and jewelry, ensuring their proper labeling, storage, laundry and dry cleaning between performances. Along with Naynaben, she is the main backstage support for the 8 girls in the show - A challenging task when 8 girls are changing costumes back and forth for a 90-minute non-stop show.