Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Harish Rawatji, Hon’ble Minister of Drinking Water and Education, Uttarakhand, Shri Mantri Prasad Naithaniji, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture, Uttarakhand, Shri Harak Singh Rawatji joinedHH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, President of Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh), Founder of Divine Shakti Foundation&Ganga Action Parivar and Co-Founder/Chairman of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, SadhviBhagawatiSaraswatiji, President of Divine Shakti Foundation, General-Secretary of Global Interfaith WASH Alliance and Director of the International Yoga Festival, for the landmark inaugural ceremony of a green, eco-friendly, school rebuilt by the Divine Shakti Foundation-Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh) in flood-affected Chandrapuri (Ayustamuni), Rudraprayag.

The school had been washed and completely destroyed during the tragic and devastating Himalayan floods of 2013. The newly-rebuilt school will serve hundreds of children within its spacious campus.

Special Green Features of the Brightland International School Include:

· Eco-friendly Bio-Toilets, to provide healthy sanitation, while also protecting the dignity of women and girls

· World Health Organization-approved Bio-Sand Filters, to provide clean water for all

· Mid Day Meal to Mid Day Fruit Programme, to ensure that students plant fruit trees, especially during the monsoons, in such a way that they are able to reap the benefits of the vitamins and minerals naturally found in fruits and thus prevent malnutrition and other health problems prevalent in India.

· Solid Waste Management Provision,to ensure a healthy environment, consciousness of our carbon footprint and also active engagement in proper disposal and utilization of trash by segregation and recycling

· Students will benefit from curriculum that promotes environmental stewardship alongside healthy WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) behaviours

· Students and faculty will be trained in Disaster Preparation, Prevention and Response

· Livelihoods Skills Training Activitieswill use the building after the school day, so that women and membersfromsurrounding communities may be trained and empowered to earn sustainable incomes

· RenewableEnergy, to utilizesystems such as solar panels and explore other green energy options to help ensure a healthier environment

· Yoga and Holistic Well-Beingwill be taught, inspired and promoted

· Fresh, Organic Meals will be provided to students so that they may grow up to be strong and healthy

Also present at the occasion were Shri Dinesh Shahra, Managing Director of Ruchi Soya, Shri Bharat Mitra, Founder-President of Organic India, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, President of Divine Shakti Foundation, Kiran Bali, Global Chair of United Religions Initiative, delegates from all around the world, including countries such as Africa America, Australia, Austria, Canada, Isreal, England, as well as Rishikumars of Parmarth Gurukul and many others.

Divine Shakti Foundation’s project of building the Brightland School was generously supported by Mahavir Seva Sadan, Kolkatta and was implemented locally by SEEDS, India, led by Shri Manu Gupta, Director of SEEDS and his team. Divine Shakti Foundation’s sister organizations Global Interfaith WASH Alliance and Ganga Action Parivar will work hand in hand to implement and sustain the green programmes and activities mentioned above.

Eleven other schools being rebuilt in Rudraprayag, for which Divine Shakti Foundation will be working actively to ensure the same provision of sanitation, green projects, and WASH programmes and quality education, were also presented on the occasion.

After the inauguration members of the Divine Shakti Foundation (DSF)proceededuptoKedarnath and also visit their newly reconstructed Livelihoods Training Centre in Triyuginarayan, located just 25 kms from Kedarnath and another village significantly affected by the disaster in Kedar Valley in 2013, where they are providing handloom training to over hundreds of women beneficiaries. The centre is part of DSF’s mission to empower women and thereby the communities in which they live and will also be carried out in conjunction with ensuring that women in these areas are ensured a sustainable buy-back programme, by creating increased demand and linking with partners all across India and the world.

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