Winston Salem Times

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools issued the following announcement on January 28.

JANUARY 28, 2022 – For the past six weeks, members of Mata Hindu Temple in Clemmons have been leading a drive to collect school supplies, books, art supplies, sanitary wipes, and other needed materials to support students and staff members at Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.

Other members of the local Indian community also contributed.

On the morning of Friday Jan. 28, those who organized the drive brought everything to the Education Building on Bethania Station Road so that needed materials could be distributed to schools throughout the WS/FC school system.

“The Indian community based in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County draws upon a rich and glorious heritage that has always valued education as a cardinal virtue,” said professor Dr. Suresh Gopalan, a Professor of Business at Winston-Salem State University.

“To that end, there have been numerous attempts over the years to give back to the WS/FC school system that has played a key role in educating the children of this community.”

“The idea of ‘giving back’ to the WS/FC school system started as an informal communication among some friends – as early as 2017 – and has involved numerous stakeholders along the way.”

Load 36“Earlier partners included the Indo-U.S. Cultural Association of Winston-Salem, that was primarily composed of people of Indian descent from a wide background representing the diversity that is typical of India.”

“In the present year,” added Nishi Chatrath and Rakesh Jangir, “a key strategic partner has been the Mata Hindu Temple whose members played a key role in both disseminating and collecting the school supplies.”

“In addition to the members of the Mata Hindu Temple, other friends have generously contributed towards this initiative.”

Chatrath, Jangir and others participating in the project have children who attend or have graduated from WS/FC schools.

Jangir has two children – Srishti (third grade) and Kvihaan (kindergarten) – who attend Southwest Elementary. Chatrath has two children who go to nearby West Forsyth High.

Supporting schools is important, Chatrath said.

“It’s our kids' future.”  

Supplies 53In talking about the project, Kautilya Chopra, the son of Aanchal Chopra and a student at West Forsyth High, shared his thoughts with his mother.

“Per Kautilya,” Ms. Aanchal Chopra said, “the school supplies build the future of our community and our nation by providing kids the necessary supplies resulting in a steady academic career.”

“The collection efforts identified several school supplies ranging from essentials like books, pens, and pencils to cleaning equipment and supplies.”

“We are donating books as well. Books are on different topics and more oriented towards high school students.

“Not all the families in our community have the financial stability to supply their children with the proper school supplies to succeed. Supply drives like the one we organized, attempt to ensure that students in the WS/FC school system are equipped with the fundamental tools to thrive in a school environment.”

“Overall, a strong and vibrant K-12 education is the DNA for a strong, prosperous, and vibrant community. As immigrants, whose children benefited from an exemplary WS/FC public school system, we are proud to be part of this initiative that strengthens education.”  

Inside 50Kautilya Chopra, who is Aanchal Chopra’s son, is a sophomore at West Forsyth High.

For this drive, the target beneficiaries were identified as both students and teachers with no particular grades or schools chosen.  

Rahul Kaikini, whose daughter Sakshi Kaikini graduated from West Forsyth High in 2021, said that they plan to continue collecting supplies to donate to schools. For future drives, he and others envision focusing on particular items that are especially needed.

“Whatever our schools need the most,” Kaikini said.

Those dropping off supplies at the Education Building included:

Aanchal Chopra

Nishi Chatrath

Dr. Suresh Gopalan

Rakesh Jangid

Rahul Kaikini

Original source can be found here.