​Report on visit By Administrative wing of BPCL Kochi Division to Marayoor Ekal Vidyalaya

The Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Kochi Division, a Public Sector Undertaking, has been actively supporting the Ekal Vidyalaya Movement in Kerala through Corporate Sponsorship for the last four years. During the three financial years 2010-11 to 2012-13, BPCL had sponsored 75 FTS Schools each year at Rs.12 Lakhs per year in Wayanad and had extended financial help of Rs.40 Lakhs to build 7 School buildings in different Tribal belts. During the financial year 2013-14 BPCL has sponsored 100 Ekal Vidyalayas in Idukki Dist. for an amount of Rs. 20 Lakhs.

On 29 March, a team of 26 people comprising of Women, Men and Children from the several departments of BPCL, Kochi Division reached Marayoor. The team was led by Mr. P N Sreekumar, Senior Manager (Administration) Ms. K R Girija (Senior Manager-Official Language) and Ms. Elizabeth Davis, (Public Relations Asst.) apart from other ladies, children and family members of the group. FTS Kochi was represented by President Mr. Shyam Sunder Agarwal, Mahila Vibhag, Chairperson, Ms. Sathya Sreepriya and Secretary Ms. Bhavana Parekh.

After Lunch at Marayoor, they proceeded to ‘Kovilkadavu’ where accommodation was arranged by Mr. Jayan Varyath, a staunch supporter of our Ekal Movement.  Mr. Jayan is the Secretary of Ekal Samithy – Marayoor and is also a reporter of Mathrubhoomi daily.

In the afternoon, the team left for Kummittankuzhi, an Ekal Vidyalaya Village. This village is close to Marayoor town and is inhabited by Hill PulayaVanavasi Tribe.  In Kummittankuzhi, Ekal Vidyalaya is being held at the community hall where 30 students assembled. Ms. Prema Balamurugan is the Acharya for that School. Mr. Jayan Varyath explained about the activities of Ekal in Marayoor area. The BPCL team communicated with the Acharya and Children and distributed note books, pencils and crayons to them. Ms. Bhavana Parekh, distributed sweets. By evening, the team left Kummittankuzhi Vidyalaya.

Thereafter, the team visited ‘Churakkulam Kudi’ Vidyalaya, also an Aadivasi Hill Pulaya colony. On the way they visited various ‘Muniyaras’. Under the leadership of the Mooppan (Head of the colony) the inmates and others assembled in the village.  Ekal Samithy President, Mr. V. Moorthy and Ward member Mr. Sojan explained in detail about the Ekal activities. The BPCL team members interacted with the children and their Acharya, Ms. Shivakumari. Ms. Girija, from BPCL spokeabout the company’s commitment to Social Service.

All the inmates of the colony entertained the guest by performing ‘Chikkumelam’ and ‘Dance’ (Traditional Hill Polaya Folk dance).  The BPCL and FTS, Kochi members and Children enjoyed the cultural performances and they expressed that this was a new novel experience for them. The team returned to their base home-stay at ‘Kovilkadavu’, Marayaoor.

On 30 March morning, the team assembled at the Melady Panchayath community hall near Marayoor. By about 10 A.M. an interactive session took place with the Acharyas and Volunteers of Ekal. 18 Acharyas, 8 full time workers and 15 Ekal Students took part in this session. Ms. Girija, Mr. P.N Sreekumar, Ms. Suja and Ms. Susan of the BPCL team communicated well with the Acharyas and full timers. Ekal Kerala Bhag Pramukh Ms. P.K Sujatha, Acharya, Ms. Sreekumari, Ms. Anitha, Ms. Radhamani, full timer, Kumari Thankamma, Kottayam Karyalaya Pramukh Mr. P.R Abhilash explained in detail about Ekal activities and their experiences with Ekal.

Ms. Girija in her concluding speech expressed their satisfaction and said that this Vana Yatra has given clear idea of OneTeacher School run by Ekal Vidyalaya and made them become aware of the good work done by Ekal and its vastness. She also added that BPCL would be in a position to extend further support in the future too.

The field co-ordination was done by a team led by Ms. P.K Sujatha involving Mr. T.M Rajashekharan, Ms. M.A Thankamma, Mr. S Roobi, Ms. Aruna Raju, Ms. M.Latha, Ms. R. Prema and Ms. R Deepa.