The Budding Linguists of Deepalaya
I am a student of nearby Government School and have been trying to get better at English speaking, after all this will help me reach my ambition of becoming a pilot†says Rita, from Deepalaya’s East Delhi Project. Like her, many more students brimmed with confidence that they would get closer to their cherished dream as they received their scholarship Awards Certificate for the English language skills for a period of 80 weeks beginning February 2011.
I am a student of nearby Government School and have been trying to get better at English speaking, after all this will help me reach my ambition of becoming a pilot” says Rita, from Deepalaya’s East Delhi Project. Like her, many more students brimmed with confidence that they would get closer to their cherished dream as they received their scholarship Awards Certificate for the English language skills for a period of 80 weeks beginning February 2011.
Mr. Michael Pelletier and Ms. Joelle Uzarski lighting the lamp
This was made possible by Deepalaya and US State Department partnership under the English Access Microscholarship Program. So far two hundred students from Deepalaya’s School South Delhi are already benefitting from this program.
On 28th January 2011, yet another hundred students were enrolled into this program from East and North West Delhi Projects. Mr. Michael Pelletier, the Minister Counselor for Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy and Ms. Joelle Uzarski ,Regional English Language Officer, American Embassy graced the ceremony organized to give away the Scholarship grant Certificates to the new batch.
Mr. Michael Pelletier handing the Scholarship Certificate to a student
The guests were delighted by the overwhelming response of the previous batches, as they sang the hymn, “when the saints go marching in” in immaculate English.
Mr. Michael Pelletier shared with the students that English has emerged as a global language which is bridging the gap between nation and providing globalemployment opportunities while facilitating them in imbibing respect for the other cultures. The English Access Microscholarship Program will not only facilitate the children to realize their potential and become able and self reliant citizens of the society but strengthen Indo-US relations as well.
The guests with the Deepalaya team and students
Rtn. T.K. Mathew, Chief Executive and Secretary, Deepalaya also shared his experiences with the students and gave the students the mantra, “by speaking, I will learn and I will become confident”. While expressing his joys at the association, he thanked the US Government for the collaboration as it will keep up Deepalaya’s noble endeavor of educating children from economically-socially challenged backgrounds.
The eyes of children gleamed with hope as this program will transform their lives by giving them a better educational and livelihood opportunities.
About the Author
Ravi Pahuja
Noida
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