Indian Independence Day - A Tryst with Destiny

Happy Independence Day! It was an emotional moment for all Indians when Pandit Nehru heralded the birth of a new nation with these words: "Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity". Check us out on Facebook Check us out on Orkut Follow us on Twitter This year we celebrate India's 63rd Independence Day, and the significant accomplishments of the young nation - a vibrant democracy, cutting-edge science and technology, a growing economy and a free press. At the same time we are reminded that the Tryst with Destiny and true freedom as envisaged by the founding fathers still remain out of reach for many of our children. Millions of bright-eyed children start school with high hopes but end up as drop-outs, due largely to an uninspiring and dysfunctional education system, and, in several cases, the need to work to help make ends meet for their families. We, the volunteers of Asha for Education, have been working since 1991 with the belief and hope that providing quality education for everyone, irrespective of their social and economic status, is essential for creating equal opportunities for all. This is reinforced by several studies such as the Pew Economic Mobility Project, whose conclusions, though in the context of the US and post-secondary education, can equally well apply to India and to education of any level. We invite you to join us on this mission today through the Work An Hour initiative which seeks to directly address these core issues. WAH, as it is popularly known, has been running annually since 1998, and has made a difference to tens of thousands of marginalized children. WAH presents you a unique opportunity where your income from an hour or more of work can help 'Prepare' them for the challenges of the adult world by 'Educating' them in a quality environment and 'Empowering' them to take control of their Destiny. The volunteer-driven structure of Asha ensures that 100% of the donations made towards the projects reach the projects. The 15 projects that are part of WAH 2009 are a reflection of the diversity of India. They focus on innovative ways of strengthening the school systems through better infrastructure, teaching methods, adequate supplies of teaching material and well-trained teachers - all of which are critical prerequisites for ensuring that the enrolled children stay on in school, enjoy the learning experience and get a meaningful education. These are things that we take for granted and insist on for our own children. Shouldn't they be the Right of every child? So, Go Ahead. Work An Hour. Change a Life, Build A Nation! 15 Projects. 7000 Children. Goal: $200,000. Raised so far: $35,000.

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