Friday, the 25th of October, 2013 saw the British High Commission celebrate the achievements of nearly 1,000 students from the slums of Delhi who have secured admission to university through Asha’s Higher Education Programme initiated in 2008.
British High Commissioner, HE Sir James Bevan KCMG welcomed the guests, “I am delighted that so many organisations and individuals with strong British links support Asha’s work in higher education. And of course this programme is just one example of Asha’s work lifting people out of poverty.”
Asha student ambassadors interact with guests at the event
The event comprised a spellbinding Indian classical dance presentation by college and high school students choreographed by Bhaatkhande Sangit Vidyalaya. This was a one-of-its-kind opportunity for the students to perform before a distinguished audience which included diplomats and the capital’s elite.
Classical Dance by Asha Students
Mahinder from Ekta Vihar slum colony, who is presently pursuing his Bachelor’s in Technology, spoke about his journey saying, “I am the first in my slum colony to ever go to college. I never thought that one day I would be interning in companies like Macquarie and BAE Systems. This has been made possible due to Dr. Kiran and Asha.” The same went for Babita from Dr. Ambedkar slum colony who is a graduate in Political Science from Delhi University. Speaking in fluent English, Babita spoke of the transformation that she has undergone due to her association with Asha.
Dr. Kiran sums up Asha’s Higher Education Programme and introduces Mahinder and Babita
The audience listens in rapt attention as Mahinder and Babita share their stories
Another first for Asha students was participating in a fashion show organized by the Sushant School of Design, a well-known design school in Delhi. Professor Mike Knowles, Dean of the Sushant School of Design, announced a full scholarship from 2014 for an Asha student on the School’s new Masters Programme and had also organised a silent auction of exclusive hand-printed textiles during the event to raise funds for Asha.
Silent auction of textiles by the Sushant School of Design at the venue
Asha students Rahul and Pooja during the fashion show
Also hosted at the venue was an exhibition of photographs celebrating the work of Asha accompanied by the book A Journey of Hope that was available for purchase. The evening ended with a beautiful ghazal rendition by Dr. Kiran and Guru Vinod Kumar, Director and Principal of Bhaatkhande Sangit Vidyalaya, a premier institute in Indian classical music and dance.
With the loyal support of swell-wishers such as these, Asha’s journey is sure to become even more memorable!
Click here to see more photographs from the event.
