Annual Day Celebrations – 2009

Om Foundation celebrated its 6th Annual day at the Indira Gandhi Auditorium NOIDA. All the 98 kids presented impeccable performances at this event on Saturday the 28th Feb 09. Present at this do were parents of these underprivileged kids and many other friends and well wishers of Om Foundation. Mr. Peter Parson, Offshore Transformation Manager from British Gas UK was the chief guest at this function and he made a spirited appeal to all-present to work towards bridging this divide in our society. Among others that graced the occasion was Mr. K.K. Verma, the program director of SMILE Foundation. Addressing the guest he highlighted their foundation’s commitment under the Action for Children Program to support Om Foundation in their endeavors. He also announced that whatever funds were raised in this event, their foundation would double that amount.

Dr. Shukla, Retd. Director of NCERT, who is helping Om Foundation with talent acquisition, also enjoyed watching the little angels perform with utmost confidence and fervor. The highlight of the event was a high voltage gig from the rock band “OORJA”. OORJA is the house band of outsourcing major EXL Services and they were kind enough to belt out some very heart warming numbers in both Hindi and English to enthrall the crowd. Pankaj a leading band member commented that they typically do only English numbers but they added some Hindi numbers to ensure that the parents of the kids enjoyed the music too. Also a large team from EXL showed up to cheer up their band. Noteworthy was the fact that most OORJA band members were working the previous night and still were present at 10 AM to spread their energy for this cause.

Speaking at the event Mr. Sanjay Drabu, Trustee Om Foundation and President & CEO of Pacific Ventures Pvt Ltd was nostalgic about how a small beginning some 6 years ago was taking shape and the big day indeed was the strategic support from British Gas. He also made a passionate appeal to everybody present to give back to society a bit so as this world becomes a better place to live.

At the end, the cozy Saturday morning offered us the right doses of fun, entertainment, music, a cause to get associated with a heart full of hope.

Independence day and Janmasthmi celebrations

Gaiety marked 13 August 2009 at the OM Foundation School where Independence Day and Janmashtmi were celebrated with fervour. For a generation that has never been enslaved, the dedication and enthusiasm of celebrating history was remarkable. The function started with the flag-hoisting ceremony by Mr. C.L.Drabu and Dr. R.D.Shukla. The occasion was graced by the presence of Mr. Sanjay Drabu and Mr. Vivek Gaur, Trustees of OM Foundation along with the Headmistress, Mrs. Anju Garg, Project Manager, Ms. Sunita Ganju, faculty and guests. Mr. Sanjay Drabu and Mr. Vivek Gaur impressed upon the students the value of freedom through their speeches.

The emphatic speeches in English and Hindi by Steven and Suraj of Class VI reminded one and all of the supreme sacrifice of the freedom fighters. The school campus echoed with the melodious patriotic songs. The key highlight of the occasion was the introduction of new School song – Badhe Desh ki Shaan, Aisa kaam karein – written by Mr. Panda.

The Head Boy and Head Girl of the school spoke about the teachings of Lord Krishna in Geeta and the significance of the festival of Janmashtmi. The energetic dance performance by tiny tots of Primary wing left everyone spell bound. They danced on the tunes of ‘ Vo Kisna Hai ‘, ‘ Chhoti Chhoti Gaiya ‘ and ‘ Nanha Munna Rahi hoon ‘. In the end, students were distributed snacks, fruits and sweets.

An all pervasive optimism prevailed everywhere on that blessed day!

Inter-house Debating Competition

An Inter house debating competition was held in OM Foundation High School on 24 July 2009, in Hindi and English. The topics were ‘ Vigyan- Vardan ya Abhishaap ‘ (Science – a boon or a bane) and ‘ Should English be the medium of instruction in schools? ‘

Contestants spoke emphatically and confidently, highlighting the role of Science in development and at the same time the threat we face due to some of its perilous products like nuclear bombs and abuse of internet. Those speaking about English as a medium of instruction in schools pointed at the need for a global language and the importance of not losing national identity whilst doing that.
The confidence and clarity of content was astonishing and something we are proud of.

Inauguration of new building of OM Foundation School

Our High School was inaugurated on March 25th. I was very memorable day for all of us at OM foundation. When we started in 2002 we didn’t even know how to run a school. It all started with 20 kids , giving them a bath , ironing their clothes, feeding them and educating them. Personally it has been an enriching experience, seeing something grow brick by brick. We had challenges but we never considered them as hurdles. Passion remained the same. We always set small targets and we achieved them. Our founding members Richard Bonelli & Mona Kaul provided us the financial and moral support we needed in this journey.

Our biggest challenge was what do we do after grade 5. If we put them in a govt school, our seven years of hard work would have gone waste. The other option was to put them in a public school but then there would have been a social disconnect for these wonderful kids. As some one says you take one noble step, Divine takes care of the rest. That is what exactly what happened. British Gas walked in as an emissary of the Divine. I would name this six month (time took to reach this stage of high school) journey as ” Junkyard to Temple of Knowledge“.

In this journey so many people and organizations contributed their bits and we are thankful to them. What we are today is because of our teachers who worked day in and out to build this institution. Two people the foundation will always remember Col Kailash & Sunita Gehrotra. Sunita has been instrumental in getting High school on ground. Col Kailash contributions to the foundation cannot be quantified. Personally he is my mentor, guide & friend.

Last but not the least I want to thank my business partner Vivek who allows me to work for the school at the cost of our business.

I am indebted to my family who have been great support in this project.

For us at OM the journey has begun . We need to build a good career for these children , make them responsible citizens and I am sure we will succeed. I request all of you to visit the school and bless the children.

For more details please log on to www.omfoundation.in

Courtesy: Sanjay Drabu, Trustee

Welcome

“What sculpture is to a block of marble,

education is to a human life”

Joseph Addison (1672-1719)

With this belief,  OM foundation launched its first initiative in the form of OM Foundation School in the year 2002 with 20 underprivileged children from the villages of Hoshiarpur and Morna in a small rented room. What started six years ago as a small attempt to bridge inequities in education has now grown with over 160 student and classes up to standard VI. Right from its inception, our motto at OM foundation is to ensure quality at all levels, be it classrooms, teachers or facilities like computers, library or playground. With the support of corporate community, especially British Gas and EXL, we have been able to provide these facilities to our children at OM Foundation.

In a few years, the OM Foundation School has proven that it is possible to translate a clear vision and commitment to constructive change and consequently into a tangible, very promising educational program. What we have accomplished so far is only one step to what we intend to achieve. Our endeavor is to ensure that all children get a chance to learn and grow so that they understand the world better and reach to their highest potential. In future, the Foundation plans to start  ”Employability Skills Development Program”  to assure promising and lucrative careers for the graduates of OM Foundation. Over time, their success will lead to improved economic opportunities for their families and communities, which will positively contribute to India’s economic promise.

Once it has been expanded and reaches its full potential, OM Foundation will serve as a natural model for similar educational efforts throughout India. In addition, with its strategy to become a self-sustainable foundation will serve as a model on how to structure charitable causes cost-effectively and help secure their staying power over time.

The task before us is daunting but we know that we can make it possible. “

“Those who have faith, they will be given more”

Holy Bible

Join us for a better future.

Sanjay Drabu

Trustee, OM Foundation