September 27 became a day of dreams for the children of Ek Tara, as world-renowned DJ Alan Walker paid a surprise visit, lighting up their lives with music, joy, and inspiration.
Ek Tara, a WHEELS Global Foundation partner in education segment, has built a very innovative model to provide holistic-education to the most vulnerable kids in the society – kids from slums in Kolkata metro area with large population of textile workers. Through quality education, skill-building, and support programs, Ek Tara empowers these children to reach beyond circumstances, providing a pathway to opportunity and dignity.
EkTara’s unique school has kids from K-12 receiving 360-degree learning that includes rich mix of important extra-curricular activities such as music, performing and fine arts, computers, sports. WHEELS has helped EkTara add storytelling-pedagogy and advanced STEM education to introduce topics like Robotics and Space & Aviation so as to inspire these equally talented kids to take on these advanced career paths.
Alan Walker’s visit brought their dreams a little closer, giving them the encouragement to keep working towards a brighter future. Before launching into his India tour, Alan chose to spend an afternoon with the children, offering them an experience that sparked excitement, self-confidence, and hope.
From the moment he arrived, Alan was embraced by the warmth and energy of Ek Tara's young talents. They greeted him with heartfelt performances, blending traditional music and dance with modern beats. Alan toured the Early Childhood Learning Centre and Tomorrowland Foundation Music and Art School by Ek Tara, where he was introduced to classrooms full of creative potential and dreams.
The children, many of whom are first-generation learners, were thrilled to have an artist of Alan’s stature share their space, showing them that anything is possible. This visit opened their eyes to a world beyond their community and inspired them to believe in their own limitless potential.
In a touching surprise, the children performed Alan x Pritam's latest track “Children of the Sun” in an impressive flash mob, even treating him to their own DJ skills. Alan joined in, creating an unforgettable moment of unity through music that the children will treasure. Around 350 children, staff, and supporters came together to enjoy this incredible afternoon, which culminated in Alan’s special DJ set just for them. As a lasting gift, he gave them tickets to his Sunburn Arena show, along with T-shirts and keepsakes that will remind them of this inspiring day.
WHEELS, by deploying such programs, aims to achieve the shared objectives of Technology-driven transformation of India’s 20% of “Rurban” population by 2030 i.e., 180m+ people, in support of India’s vision of becoming a developed economy by 2047.
The author is the Marketing and Communications Manager, WHEELS Global Foundation.
(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of New India Abroad)
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