By Nadeem Inamdar for TwoCircles.net,
Pune-based Raabta Foundation’s new project entitled Udaan Express is a state-of-the-art Mobile Life-Skills Training Classroom (MLSTC) aimed at empowering citizens especially educationally, socially and economically backward Muslims and also people from different communities to chart a brighter future for themselves through integrated cum holistic development of the personalities and character.
Udaan Express which began its maiden journey on Oct 28 has now covered a distance of about 2,000 kilometers out of 10,000 km pan-India journey. According to the mission statement of Raabta Foundation, the van will criss- cross length and breadth of the country to reach out extensively to every nook and cranny to large numbers of people, especially children, from the remotest corners championing the cause of self confidence, self learning, economic empowerment, cherishing the noble ideals of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ( May Peace Be Upon Him ).
According to its founder, Syed Saeed Ahmed, besides instilling a spirit of alternate education amongst the countrymen, the mobile teaching van aims at bringing about national integration through harmony, peaceful existence amongst people from all faiths and wants to strengthen the bond of universal love and brotherhood amongst the countrymen. Sayed Saeed Ahmed, a prominent and inspiring motivational speaker in the Indian subcontinent, is endowed with astounding spontaneity, incursive mind and a charismatic personality.
Udaan Express is a totally equipped digital mini bus which is travelling throughout India promoting the message of alternate education and self directed learning. “The purpose of Udaan Express is to reach to the farthest corner of the country to share knowledge and the light of motivation to people who are left untouched by education. There is a lot which needs to be done for the country and its people and Udaan Express is the first step in this direction and will reach out to each and every citizen of the country,” he said
Saeed further said that he has embarked on the countrywide mission of nation building by empowering the weak and deprived sections of the society especially Muslims and also people from all religious beliefs through the platform of his mobile teaching van. “It is also an important step towards building a cosmopolitan society based on the egalitarian values of truth, justice and real education,” he added.
He further added “To kick-start this journey, we have initiated our first tour from Bidar to Bihar and Bihar to Bhiwandi. The van will be covering approximately 10,000 kms throughout India, covering 11 states and more than 50 cities,” he added.
The Mobile Classroom is fitted with a Projector and LCD screen, has comfortable seating arrangements along with state of the art mike and sound system. The teaching pattern is centred around identifying hidden, innate talents of children and fine-tuning them. The teaching methodology of Saeed Ahmed revolves around power packed motivational lectures, exercises, role plays, case studies and experiments. Besides, rectification of intrinsic flaws through rigorous self and assisted introspection is part of Saeed’s flexible teaching curriculum.
Kondhwa=based social worker Sainath Babar praised the efforts of Saeed and said that his project was aimed transforming the youth for a better future through the promotion of national integration and international brotherhood. Babar said that Puneites will offer all their support for the grand success of Saeed Ahmed’s project.
Another noted social worker Saleem Mulla said that the underprivileged and deprived class of India stand to gain the most from Mobile Teaching Van project citing that it was aimed at empowerment of women and senior citizens through promotion of adult and continued education.
Programs offered through Udaan
Common programs for all: Parenting, personality development, motivational programs, self-realisation, counselling and soft skills.
Women: Training women of all ages in the best of life-skills programs with special focus on health and hygiene. Individual and group counselling sessions for the future success of the girl child.
Parenting: Training young adults to become effective parents who can bring about a change in the society.
Senior citizens: Training senior citizens in the life skills necessary to guide the future generation.
Youth: Training them to become self-confident, God-fearing, fluent and courageous in facing any life situation.
Children: Child rights, child sexual abuse, counselling, value education, study techniques.