The halls of Srinath Ji Haveli resonated with vintage melodies at the Ekal event, held in the beloved Gokuldham venue. The enchanting evening drew 300 attendees who enjoyed a delightful dinner courtesy of Gokuldham, with special thanks to Ashok Patel and Parimal Mathukia for organizing the sound and auditorium setup.
The event featured performances by Swati Girglani, Pranav Pandya, and Kalpesh Patel, beginning with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Hon. Deputy Council General Madan Ghildiyal, State Representative Candidate Narendra Reddy, Forsyth County Council Candidate Sudhir Aggarwal, Atlanta Chapter President Shiv Aggarwal, and Pandit Upadhyaya. A soulful Ganesh Vandana by KalashramUSA students set the tone, followed by Thumri – Aavat Shyam, a special composition by Pandit Birju Maharaj.
The audience was transported through time with performances of classic hits like “Mere Hivde Mein,” “O Mere Dil Ke Chain,” and “Jaaiye Aap Kahan Jayenge,” culminating in energetic Garba to “Pankhida.” Special recognition was given to Ekal Atlanta Chapter President and Global Mall owner Shiv Aggarwal for organizing the event, with updates on Ekal’s initiatives provided by Vice President Ajay Upadhyaya. Ekal’s commitment to rural education, women’s empowerment, and healthcare through telemedicine was highlighted, with the Shiv Aggarwal and Singla families sponsoring three tailoring centers.
Rama and Rakesh Popli emphasized the importance of rural development in national progress. Inspired by Ekal’s vision, audience members sponsored 177 schools, each requiring a one-time payment of $365 to operate for a year before becoming self-sustaining.
A message from Prime Minister Modi praised Ekal’s efforts, noting achievements such as literacy for 10 million children, over 100,000 villages benefiting from literacy, healthcare, and economic empowerment, and 80,000 Ekal Vidyalays educating 2 million children across India. Ekal’s transformative movement continues to inspire changemakers globally.
The event concluded with thanks to media partners: Atlanta Dunia, Khabar, NRI Pulse, TV Asia, and Rashtra Darpan. As the melodies faded, the spirit of unity and generosity remained, lighting the path for future generations.
