Aristotle: “All who have meditated on the art of governing mankind have been convinced that the fate of empires depends on the education of youth.”

Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

It has taken me a long time to realize but if I were to close my eyes today and think for a minute about my most deeply held value, the answer is unequivocally clear – it is the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom and sharing what I have learned with others around me. It is this deeply held value which has guided me over the years in my personal actions as well as social activities. That is what drove me to mentor my juniors over the years and led me to coach high school kids from disadvantaged communities in Mumbai for their high school exams. It has been the most fulfilling feeling o my life that the kids I taught in Mumbai have gone on to complete their college education and are pursuing their dreams. It is again the same value which led me to teach computer basics to kids in Cambridge MA in an effort to bridge the digital divide. As Aristotle and Nelson Mandela have beautifully said above, when I see young children, I see the future of the world in their eyes and what better way is there to make this world a better place then to love them and help them reach their full potential. ‘Asha’, which literally means ‘Hope’, is at the forefront of this attempt to change the world through education. It is an all-volunteer worldwide non-profit organization that works to provide basic education to underprivileged children in India. I run to provide ‘Asha’ the funds it needs to carry out its mission and enlighten the lives of more and more children. So, come and join me in paying our generations’ debt to future generations and fire up our own individual lives in the process. I thank you for participating with me in this fascinating journey.

“We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own.” - Ben Sweetland

Socially aware as a kid , socially conscious as a teenager to Socially active as an engaging adult. Being a human being , anything that concerned the humanity left me wondering whether I can do something about it... it was always a wishful me a man with good intention but no actions. India is growing economically at a breath taking pace... but in this prosperity there are many who are left behind because they never had to opportunity to bask in this glorious rising sun of the world. We all have a duty towards the society to give back .... to create a land of equal opportunities. Asha for Education is a medium to make a difference. Running for the marathon for me is one way of saying " I do care ".

I firmly believe that changes no matter how small make a difference. Asha for Education's work in partnership with grass root level organizations and volunteers is important; it can change and make a difference in the lives of so many children. I am running the marathon because I want to make a difference no matter how small by spreading awareness about Right to Education, Right to Information and various other social issues. Please DONATE and help build a different world - a world which gives opportunities to every child!

"Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing."- Arundhati Roy

I have laced up my running shoes for a short runs, long runs and races since I was 17. This year I am running the Seaside Half Marathon, Seaside, NJ on 18 October 2009. I am running with ASHA because I believe that every child deserves an education.

I run for these children because an education is their key to new horizons.
Help me support ASHA's objectives to provide education for underprivileged children in India.

I'm trying to do something really great. It's a little bit for me, but largely for kids who deserve a better future. And I need your help.

Why run a marathon? Enduring 38,000 heart beats, taking 12,000 breaths, stamping 30,000 steps continuously for 4 hours and more, there is no way any person would and could bear this without a reason.

Some run for fun, some run for a better shape, and some for a better time. None of these propel me in joining a race. I enjoy running and that makes me a regular runner, not a racer. A sportier appearance is more a byproduct than a cause. And performance doesn’t really concern me. So why run a marathon?

It was not until I heard about the Asha team that I decided to train for a marathon. As a part in the education profession, I believe every child deserves a learning opportunity, and one’s academic achievements should rely on his or her intellectual devotion rather than the depth of the parents’ pockets.

This will be my first race, and I need your support! So please help us!

I run for all the right reasons. Or so I think! I run because I want to stay fit (stay fit, not get fit, mind it!) . I run to lower my BP (which I wonder why, is so high..it rhymes). I run to meet people who also run for the right reasons. I also run to appreciate the dedication of young girls who wake up early to see me run.

..... and I run because I remember that an aching knee, a gasping lung or/and a racing heart at the end of a race is all worth it if it helps assure a bright future for a child.

Being born and and brought up in a middle class family, I have seen and experienced the importance of education in one's life. Though I worked hard to accomplish my goals, I could do it because my parents were able to afford all the essential requirements. As much as I
believe that it is important to have dreams, I also believe that education plays a critical role in pursuing those dreams. It empowers people and enables them to take intelligent decisions that help them achieve their goals.

The future of India lies with millions of children. Unfortunately more than 50% of these children do not have access to education. Asha for Education is committed to providing education to underprivileged children in India and I am proud to be a part of the Asha family. Although running a half marathon will be a small step, I am confident that collectively these small steps will bring big positive differences in the lives of children in India. Please join us and help us make this difference.

Having recently been blessed with a son I adopted from an orphanage in India, I will be able to make an incredible difference in his life; however, also having recently joined ASHA, I realize I can make a difference in the lives of the many children left behind. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to provide my son with love, good values and a great education, but I feel as though I can't rest knowing that there are millions of other children, some worse off, that have no future, just as my son was just a few short months ago.

I am running this marathon both as a way to better myself and as an opportunity to help all those children left behind. I have looked into their eyes, I have seen the hope and with your help, I'd like to give them the hope through education provided by the efforts and generosity of Asha.

I am running Philadelphia's Half Marathon to spread awareness about eradicating child labor. Every sweat dropped will be towards the well being of poor children who are struggling and striving for existence. This run is the least I can do and any encouragement will be well received.

If you can read this message, then, you have access to a warehouse of knowledge, information and ample amount of opportunities in life via the internet. Do take a moment and think about making a difference to the little ones who are toiling day & night and are kept away from primary schools. These children could make a significant change one day if molded the right way and ONLY education can make that happen.

Child labor has no boundaries. Whether it is India, countries of Africa, Mexico, China, we should be responsible in our own ways of making a difference, for encouraging children to go to school.

The video applies to poor children across the world. http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZIhkfIv2ALA

If the message reaches out to you then please support me here at ASHA.

To me providing a child with an education is as important as providing him or her with food, water or shelter. There are those of us who have been privileged and lucky enough to receive exemplary educations which has helped us succeed in our lives today.

Millions of children across India are not so lucky, though our country has made great strides and is emerging to be a technology giant, basic education is still just a dream for many. Educating a child not only impacts the quality of his or her life but also that of their family.

Education is hence key to changing the fabric of India's future. I plan to run to raise awareness and funds for those who deserve to get what we have today.

I run for ASHA for Education.