Sponsor the educational journey of a poor child by Purkal Youth Development Society

Program Update

This quarter witnessed a more academic environment on the school campus, with final term exams in March. After the celebrations for India’s Republic Day and the school’s investiture ceremony, focus was largely on the revision of the annual syllabus. Surveying and identification of beneficiaries for the next academic session also took place during this quarter. 12th graders were also busy with college applications and were counselled on their choices. Other activities included Olympiads, essay-writing and poetry competitions, both in and out of the school. A few medical issues were also reported and taken care of in time.

Story from the field

Happy Singh came to PYDS 5 years ago and was awed by the world of circuits and mechanics introduced by his Physics teacher. Fast-forward from there and the Tinkering Laboratory, a NITI Aayog initiative, was inaugurated at school in October’18 by Hon’ble CM of Uttarakhand. From image-processing to Arduino programming to 3D-printing to Raspberry Pi, Happy Singh excitedly grabbed the opportunity to learn about all the futuristic equipment brought into the tinkering lab. He along with Kashish Aswal, a grade younger, submitted a solution titled Re-purposing Women's Fashion into Self-Defence Equipment, at a competition organized by INTEL “Make Tomorrow for Innovation Generation”. The project and the confident delivery of it to the presenters, was among the Top 10 Finalists. This was a big achievement for a boy like Happy, who has been raised in a family with innumerable economic limitations. In his own words, “I aspire to become a Software Engineer. I am learning lots of new things about electronics and circuits and how things work and how software is used to drive different machines.” His teachers say it, as does his excitement – the impact of technology on campus has given him a dream to work towards in the future.

Program Update

The new academic session started in early April and we took in more beneficiaries under our care. Almost all children fared well in their examinations last year and moved up a class. Students who were unable to cope are now undergoing additional Remedial Classes to help them with their learning gaps.

In terms of assets, 2 new school buses were added to our fleet. A third boys' hostel has been rented to accommodate 22 more boys, primarily hailing from the upper reaches of our Himalayan State. A Tinkering Laboratory to inculcate scientific temper for futuristic technologies is also being constructed and will be operational within a month.

A group of students were taken on an excursion to the higher Himalayan range during the summer break. They visited villages and learnt about the local culture. They also understood the importance of teamwork and fraternity. Further they saw snow-capped peaks of Nanda Devi and Panchchuli. They stayed at a Gandhi Ashram facility and learned more about Mahatma Gandhi. The whole trip was really a learning experience for all the students. This was particularly interesting since many of the children are native to similar regions in the State.

Story from the field

Akash is today in the midst of opulence in a five-star ambience, perhaps ten hours every day. His aspirations lie in a career that doesn't remotely resemble his past. The Taj Group selected him for their Golden Threshold Program which they run in association with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai; while the latter provide the input and training in their theory. They are also providing the practical orientation for his training in the hospitality industry.

His life in New Delhi, where he encounters affluent customers, is diametrically different from the life he has led so far. Having lost his father as an infant, his widowed mother was left penniless and forsaken by friends and family. After years of relentless toil, she remarried, and found an employer who uses her as domestic help and her husband as a driver.

During his years with us, Akash grew into an admirable young man, proving himself not only in academics but also as a leader. He made conscientious efforts to develop himself as an all-rounder. He is a recognized athlete and skilled dramatist. His strength lies in his composed and affable personality. We are proud of him and are confident that he will soon secure his future.

Republic Day was celebrated at Purkal Youth Development Society on 26th January. The highlight of the day was a March Pass followed by Patriotic songs, PT and aerobics display by the children. The Secretary of the Society talked about the many Institutions that constitute the Nation’s pillars and the need to support them by all citizens of the country. The school participated in the Regional level science exhibition organized by C.B.S.E. at the Asian School Dehradun and have qualified for the National level. They even presented a project on ‘Water Recycling by Phytoremediation’.