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59-644: Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation ( transl.  Singularity School Foundation ; abbr. EVF ) is the principal organisation of the Ekal Abhiyan project, a one teacher school initiative in India. The foundation operates under the umbrella organisation of Ekal Abhiyan Trust and has a number of associated organisations called the Friends of Tribals Society (FTS), Shree Hari Satsang Samiti (SHSS), Arogya Foundation of India (AFI), Grammotham Foundation (GF) and Ekal Sansthan (ES). EVF

118-501: A windrow , which consists of bedding materials for the earthworms to live in and acts as a large bin; organic material is added to it. Although the windrow has no physical barriers to prevent worms from escaping, in theory they should not, due to an abundance of organic matter for them to feed on. Often windrows are used on a concrete surface to prevent predators from gaining access to the worm population. The windrow method and compost windrow turners were developed by Fletcher Sims Jr. of

177-532: A "cluster" (unit of 30 schools), subarea (unit of 90 schools), and area (unit of 270 schools). The classes take place under a tree or in a hut and use informal modes like storytelling, folk dramas, folk songs, and religious discourses. Around half of the students and teachers are females, and about a fifth of the students go on to pursue higher education, some of which return to serve the foundation. The schools are primarily organized in small villages among India's tribal groups. The local youth who are trained to operate

236-1028: A "living" soil environment for plants. The fraction of soil which has gone through the digestive tract of earthworms is called the drilosphere . Vermicomposting is a common practice in permaculture . Vermiwash can also be obtained from the liquid potion of vermicompost. Vermiwash is found to contain enzyme cocktail of proteases, amylases, urease and phosphatase. Microbiological study of vermiwash reveals that it contains nitrogen-fixing bacteria like Azotobactrer sp., Agrobacterium sp. and Rhizobium sp. and some phosphate solublizing bacteria. Laboratory scale trial shows effectiveness of vermiwash on plant growth. All worms make compost but some species are not suitable for this purpose. Vermicompost worms are generally epigean . Species most often used for composting include: These species commonly are found in organic-rich soils throughout Europe and North America and live in rotting vegetation , compost, and manure piles. As they are shallow-dwelling and feed on decomposing plant matter in

295-533: A commercial plant medium with nutrients added, but levels of magnesium required adjustment, as did pH. However, in one study it has been found that homemade backyard vermicompost was lower in microbial biomass, soil microbial activity, and yield of a species of ryegrass than municipal compost. It is rich in microbial life which converts nutrients already present in the soil into plant-available forms. Unlike other compost, worm castings also contain worm mucus which helps prevent nutrients from washing away with

354-400: A higher saturation of nutrients than the organic materials before vermicomposting. Vermicompost contains water-soluble nutrients which may be extracted as vermiwash and is an excellent, nutrient-rich organic fertilizer and soil conditioner. It is used in gardening and sustainable, organic farming. Vermicomposting can also be applied for treatment of sewage . A variation of the process

413-458: A local person who is trained as a teacher. The curriculum is mainly basic literacy in the language of the state, but also introduces concepts of Hinduism , even in areas where that is not the main religion. An Ekal Vidyalaya teacher was killed by Naxalites for ignoring their directive not to teach Hindu culture . As of July 2003, the FTS was operating 6,966 schools with 222,775 students. By July 2007,

472-457: A more neutral pH. The earthworm species (or composting worms) most often used are red wigglers ( Eisenia fetida or Eisenia andrei ), though European nightcrawlers ( Eisenia hortensis , synonym Dendrobaena veneta ) and red earthworm ( Lumbricus rubellus ) could also be used. Red wigglers are recommended by most vermicomposting experts, as they have some of the best appetites and breed very quickly. Users refer to European nightcrawlers by

531-684: A report named A Factual Response to the Hate Attack on the India Development and Relief Fund (IDRF) . In this report, they wrote that "there has been a concerted campaign against the Ekal Vidyalayas by a combination of media and academic networks ... try as they might, they really cannot find anything wrong with the schools". According to Prakash Sharma, media convener of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, "The Ekal Vidyalayas are our effort to reach

590-706: A report named The Foreign Exchange of Hate – IDRF and the American Funding of Hindutva on utilisation of funds by India Development and Relief Fund . The report alleged the VHP-run Ekal Vidyalaya schools had the goal of "Hinduizing" tribals and spreading hatred against Indian minorities. In 2005 John Dayal , then president of the All India Catholic Union (AICU) and a member of the National Integration Council expressed concern that

649-401: A spout or holes in the bottom for excess liquid to drain into a tray for collection. The most common materials used are plastic: recycled polyethylene and polypropylene and wood. Worm compost bins made from plastic are ideal, but require more drainage than wooden ones because they are non-absorbent. However, wooden bins will eventually decay and need to be replaced. Small-scale vermicomposting

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708-578: A suggested content of 70–80% for vermicomposting operations. If decomposition has become anaerobic, to restore healthy conditions and prevent the worms from dying, excess waste water must be reduced and the bin returned to a normal moisture level. To do this, first reduce addition of food scraps with a high moisture content and second, add fresh, dry bedding such as shredded newspaper to your bin, mixing it in well. Pests such as rodents and flies are attracted by certain materials and odors, usually from large amounts of kitchen waste, particularly meat. Eliminating

767-435: A variety of adapted containers may be used. They may be made of old plastic containers, wood, Styrofoam , or metal containers. The design of a small bin usually depends on where an individual wishes to store the bin and how they wish to feed the worms. Some materials are less desirable than others in worm bin construction. Metal containers often conduct heat too readily, are prone to rusting, and may release heavy metals into

826-572: A variety of other names, including dendrobaenas , dendras , Dutch nightcrawlers, and Belgian nightcrawlers. Containing water-soluble nutrients, vermicompost is a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer and soil conditioner in a form that is relatively easy for plants to absorb. Worm castings are sometimes used as an organic fertilizer. Because the earthworms grind and uniformly mix minerals in simple forms, plants need only minimal effort to obtain them. The worms' digestive systems create environments that allow certain species of microbes to thrive to help create

885-482: Is vermifiltration (or vermidigestion) which is used to remove organic matter, pathogens, and oxygen demand from wastewater or directly from blackwater of flush toilets. Vermicomposting has gained popularity in both industrial and domestic settings because, as compared with conventional composting, it provides a way to treat organic wastes more quickly. In manure composing, the use of vermicomposting generates products that have lower salinity levels, as well as

944-651: Is actively involved in fund-raising activities in several countries outside India, most notably the United States, and is associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh . The Ekal Vidyalaya schools were assisted by the NDA Government from 1999–2000 onwards. The Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation was founded in Gumla district , Jharkhand in 1986. The one teacher schooling initiative was conceptualised by Bhaurao Deoras,

1003-568: Is associated with the Hindu nationalist organisations Vishva Hindu Parishad , which is in turn a member of the Sangh Parivar , the family of organisations run by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The foundation was headed in the past by Subhash Chandra , the Chairman of Essel Group and the founder of Zee TV . Hema Malini , Indian actress and danseuse, has served as the global brand ambassador for

1062-581: Is finished. The finished compost would have an ambient temperature, dark color, and be as moist as a damp sponge. Towards the end of the process, bacteria slow down the rate of metabolizing food or stop completely. There is the possibility of some solid organic matter still being present in the compost at this point, but it could stay in and continue decomposing for the next couple of years unless removed. The compost should be allowed to cure after finished to allow acids to be removed over time so it becomes more neutral, which could take up to three months and results in

1121-486: Is possible in all but tropical climates. Other worms like Perionyx excavatus are suitable for warmer climates. If a worm bin is kept outside, it should be placed in a sheltered position away from direct sunlight and insulated against frost in winter. There are few food wastes that vermicomposting cannot compost, although meat waste and dairy products are likely to putrefy, and in outdoor bins can attract vermin . Green waste should be added in moderation to avoid heating

1180-411: Is separated into large clumps, which is placed back into composting for further breakdown, and lighter compost, with which the rest of the process continues. This lighter mix is placed into small piles on a tarp under the sunlight. The worms instinctively burrow to the bottom of the pile. After a few minutes, the top of the pyramid is removed repeatedly, until the worms are again visible. This repeats until

1239-416: Is well-suited to turn kitchen waste into high-quality soil amendments , where space is limited. Worms can decompose organic matter without the additional human physical effort (turning the bin) that bin composting requires. Composting worms which are detritivorous (eaters of trash), such as the red wiggler Eisenia fetida , are epigeic (surface dwellers) and together with symbiotic associated microbes are

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1298-593: The Daily Times of Pakistan , Khalid Hasan described the Ekal Vidyalayas as having a "curriculum steeped in instilling hatred against non-Hindu religious minorities". Rights activists have claimed that the schools pursue a Hindu-nationalist agenda and generate hatred towards non-Hindu minorities such as Christians. In response to the 2002 report published by Sabrang Communications, in March 2003 Ramesh Rao, professor of Communication at Truman State University , and others wrote

1357-617: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare , approached EVF for imparting healthcare training to women. EVF developed the women-centric "Asha" programme for NRHM in response. According to A Factual Response to the Hate Attack on the India Development and Relief Fund (IDRF) , Yvette Rosser, American author and scholar, wrote that the Ekal Vidyalaya program has done "incredible work" and "brought literacy to millions of India's children who otherwise would not know how to read and write". Raman Singh ,

1416-522: The North Eastern states . The number of schools grew to 27,000 in 2010, 34,000 in 2011, 51,717 in 2013 and 1,02,753 by 2020. EVF's goal is to reach every child in the rural areas where education and school is a challenge .EVF is targeting to reach 2,00,00 village schools by 2030. Ekal foundation of Nepal launched the program in 1996 and now the foundation is operating 2,310 primary schools imparting education to 60,995 students in 54 districts of Nepal. EVF

1475-538: The 34,343 Ekal Vidyalayas in India. The foundation raised US$ 3.5 million in 2010. EVF USA organises fundraising programs in 45 cities in the United States, which feature Indian singers or marathons. EVF Australia was set up in 2004. It received the Tax exemption for donation in 2007. As of June 2015 EVF Australia has sponsored 850 Ekal schools. In 2006, the National Hindu Students' Forum (UK) selected Ekal Vidyalaya as

1534-690: The Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh , praised the work done by Ekal Vidyalayas run by the FTS in 2500 tribal villages of the state in spreading education. In 2009, Yoga guru Swami Ramdev said at the Ekal International Conference in Delhi that the Ekal Vidyalayas are a medium for definite service to God. In 2005, a report prepared by an inquiry committee of the Indian Ministry of Human Resource Development found that in some Ekal Vidyalaya schools

1593-516: The Compost Corporation in Canyon, Texas. The Windrow Composting system is noted as a sustainable, cost-efficient way for farmers to manage dairy waste. The second type of large-scale vermicomposting system is the raised bed or flow-through system. Here the worms are fed an inch of "worm chow" across the top of the bed, and an inch of castings are harvested from below by pulling a breaker bar across

1652-407: The Ekal Vidyalaya movement. The Ekal Vidyalayas provide five years of free, non-formal education to children from the age group 6–14 years. A typical school has 30–40 students taught by a local youth who has passed grades 8 or 9 and has been specifically trained. A local organizer looks after a unit of 10 schools, called a "subcluster". Local people are also involved in higher organization levels like

1711-626: The Ekal Vidyalaya staff resolved to raise voice against addiction in rural areas. The Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of USA (EVF USA) is active in fundraising. In June 2008, the Atlanta chapter entertained guests with a music program at a fundraising event. In May 2009, the Southern California chapter launched its annual fundraising drive. A benefit concert in Chicago in July 2009 raised $ 160,000. In September 2009,

1770-515: The FTS and the Ekal Vidyalaya was operating over 23,000 schools. The FTS had the goal of operating 30,000 schools by 2011. The target was achieved and surpassed by March 2010 itself reaching 34,000 schools with 10,30,290 students. Vermicompost Vermicast (also called worm castings , worm humus , worm poop , worm manure , or worm faeces ) is the end-product of the breakdown of organic matter by earthworms. These excreta have been shown to contain reduced levels of contaminants and

1829-419: The Hate Attack on the India Development and Relief Fund (IDRF) quotes Yvette Rosser as saying that "the ladies and gentlemen in the villages who teach in Ekal Vidyalaya schools are not teaching hate". A Factual Response to the Hate Attack on the India Development and Relief Fund (IDRF) notes that several other authors have praised the schools' role in providing literacy to millions of children, and stated that

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1888-633: The Indian government stopped grants to the schools based on this report. Quoting from the report in The Milli Gazette , Mukundan C. Menon noted that the English booklet used to teach second year students in Jharkhand omitted six letters of the alphabet. Menon said the reason was names of Hindu Gods beginning with these letters are not common. In 2002, Sabrang Communications and South Asia Citizens Web published

1947-627: The San Diego chapter raised about $ 14,000 at a cultural event featuring music and dance. The organisation announced that a similar event in Dallas in November 2009 had been very successful. In May 2010, a fundraising concert in Chicago was attended by over 600 people and raised pledges of $ 82,525. The same month, Ekal Vidyalaya raised almost $ 500,000 from five charity shows in the mid-Atlantic region. As of 2010, EVF USA had 34 active chapters and supported 9,500 out of

2006-487: The bin, occasional stirring of bin contents, and removal of some bin contents if they become too deep or too wet. If decomposition becomes anaerobic from excess wet feedstock added to the bin, or the layers of food waste have become too deep, the bin will begin to smell of ammonia . Moisture must be maintained above 50%, as lower moisture content will not support worm respiration and can increase worm mortality. Operating moisture-content range should be between 70 and 90%, with

2065-440: The bin. Such systems usually use kitchen and garden waste, using "earthworms and other microorganisms to digest organic wastes, such as kitchen scraps". This includes: Such vermicomposting systems need reliable sources of large quantities of food. Systems presently operating use: Factors affecting the speed of composting include the climate and the method of composting. There are signs to look for to determine whether compost

2124-480: The compost being more consistent in size. Elevating the maturing compost off the ground can prevent unwanted plant growth. It compost should consistently be slightly damp and should be aerated but does not need to be turned. The curing process can be done in a storage bin or on a tarp. Vermicompost is ready for harvest when it contains few-to-no scraps of uneaten food or bedding. There are several methods of harvesting from small-scale systems: "dump and hand sort", "let

2183-485: The first watering and holds moisture better than plain soil. Increases in the total nitrogen content in vermicompost, an increase in available nitrogen and phosphorus, a decrease in potassium, as well as the increased removal of heavy metals from sludge and soil have been reported. The reduction in the bioavailability of heavy metals has been observed in a number of studies. Soil Plant growth Economic Environmental Vermicompost can be mixed directly into

2242-465: The ideal vectors for decomposing food waste. Common earthworms such as Lumbricus terrestris are anecic (deep burrowing) species and hence unsuitable for use in a closed system. Other soil species that contribute include insects , other worms and molds . There may be differences in vermicomposting method depending on the climate. It is necessary to monitor the temperatures of large-scale bin systems (which can have high heat-retentive properties), as

2301-464: The inputs fed to worms. Pulverized limestone, or calcium carbonate can be added to the system to raise the pH. When closed, a well-maintained bin is odorless; when opened, it should have little smell—if any smell is present, it is earthy. The smell may also depend on the type of composted material added to the bin. An unhealthy worm bin may smell, potentially due to low oxygen conditions. Worms require gaseous oxygen. Oxygen can be provided by airholes in

2360-453: The large mesh screen which forms the base of the bed. Because red worms are surface dwellers constantly moving towards the new food source, the flow-through system eliminates the need to separate worms from the castings before packaging. Flow-through systems are well suited to indoor facilities, making them the preferred choice for operations in colder climates. For vermicomposting at home, a large variety of bins are commercially available, or

2419-607: The main recipient of fundraising during its annual Sewa Week drive. EVF has around 1,000 donors in Hong Kong. EVF's single-teacher school concept and their contribution towards literacy and empowerment in the rural and tribal areas have been praised by several state governments and social organisations in India. Avinash Kaushik, American entrepreneur and author, wrote that foundations like the Smile Train , Doctors Without Borders and Ekal Vidyalaya have done "incredible work" and "they make

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2478-421: The most deprived areas of the country. Christian missionaries get funds from all over the world: the entire Christian empire backs them. Ours is a completely indigenous effort". François Gautier , French author and journalist, described the Ekal Vidyalayas as "a harmless programme doing wonderful job for tribal children", and questioned why organisations raising funds for them were attacked. A Factual Response to

2537-578: The mound is composed mostly of worms. When harvesting the compost, it is possible to separate eggs and cocoons and return them to the bin, thereby ensuring new worms are hatched. Cocoons are small, lemon-shaped yellowish objects that can usually be seen with the naked eye. The cocoons can hold up to 20 worms (though 2–3 is most common). Cocoons can lay dormant for as long as two years if conditions are not conducive for hatching. Vermicompost has been shown to be richer in many nutrients than compost produced by other composting methods. It has also outperformed

2596-405: The names of enrolled students had been copied from registers of government-run schools. The schools did not provide reading and learning material, and used funds to "generate hatred toward minorities, and condition the minds of children". The report said the FTS was "misusing these funds, and using the grants for creating disharmony amongst religious groups and creating a political cadre". In May 2005

2655-488: The raw materials or feedstocks used can compost , heating up the worm bins as they decay and killing the worms. The most common worms used in composting systems, redworms ( Eisenia fetida , Eisenia andrei , and Lumbricus rubellus ) feed most rapidly at temperatures of 15–25 °C (59–77 °F). They can survive at 10 °C (50 °F). Temperatures above 30 °C (86 °F) may harm them. This temperature range means that indoor vermicomposting with redworms

2714-644: The same worms that are found in ordinary soil or on pavement when the soil is flooded by water. The following species are not recommended: Large-scale vermicomposting is practiced in Canada, Italy, Japan, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and the United States. The vermicompost may be used for farming, landscaping, to create compost tea , or for sale. Some of these operations produce worms for bait and/or home vermicomposting. There are two main methods of large-scale vermicomposting, windrow and raised bed. Some systems use

2773-647: The schools are social workers and teachers, teaching sanitation and health care, literacy, and self-sufficiency. Each school is run on an annual budget of around 20,000 Indian rupees . At the national level, the schools are organized by Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of India. Regionally, Ekal Vidyalayas are run by the Friends of Tribals Society (FTS) and Bharat Lok Shiksha Parishad (BLSP) NGOs and by state-level groups such as Janahitha in Andhra Pradesh and Bharatiya Janseva Sansthan in Gujarat . In addition to teaching children,

2832-496: The schools do not teach hate but have themselves been the target of a campaign by media and academic networks. Friends of Tribals Society The Friends of Tribals Society (FTS), or Vanbandhu Parishad, is a volunteer organization formed in 1989 with the goal of improving literacy and health among the Adivasi , rural tribal people in India . The society operates one-teacher schools in

2891-488: The schools hold weekly sessions for the village populace to discuss issues like rural development, health and awakening. Along with literacy, Ekal Vidyalaya schools also impart moral education. EVF works in tribal areas on health care education with the emphasis on hygiene, treatment of general diseases, maternal and child care. The foundation operates 11,450 health centers in India for people living in rural and tribal India. The foundation distributes medicines to children for

2950-556: The schools were spreading hatred towards members of the Christian minority, in order to "prevent conversions of tribals to Christianity by missionaries." In a 2008 article Angana Chatterji , associate professor of anthropology at California Institute of Integral Studies , identified Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of USA as one of the charities in the US that had allocated money "disproportionately directed to Hindutva -affiliated groups". In an article in

3009-508: The soil, or mixed with water to make a liquid fertilizer known as worm tea . The light brown waste liquid, or leachate , that drains into the bottom of some vermicomposting systems is not to be confused with worm tea. It is an uncomposted byproduct from when water-rich foods break down and may contain pathogens and toxins. It is best discarded or applied back to the bin when added moisture is needed for further processing. The pH, nutrient, and microbial content of these fertilizers varies upon

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3068-436: The soil, they adapt easily to live on food or plant waste in the confines of a worm bin. Some species are considered invasive in some areas, so they should be avoided (see earthworms as invasive species for a list). Composting worms are available to order online, from nursery mail-order suppliers or angling shops where they are sold as bait . They can also be collected from compost and manure piles. These species are not

3127-487: The treatment of various diseases. The schools also run a rural development scheme under which use of organic fertilizers is promoted in place of chemical fertilizers. Professional training in agriculture and vermiculture is provided. In May 2011, EVF launched the Vermicompost Project, a pilot project with an aim to introduce self-sustaining practices in 100 poor villages of Orissa and Maharashtra . In December 2011,

3186-500: The use of meat or dairy product in a worm bin decreases the possibility of pests. Predatory ants can be a problem in African countries. In warm weather, fruit and vinegar flies breed in the bins if fruit and vegetable waste is not thoroughly covered with bedding. This problem can be avoided by thoroughly covering the waste by at least 5 centimetres (2.0 in) of bedding. Maintaining the correct pH (close to neutral) and water content of

3245-421: The vermicompost. Styrofoam containers may release chemicals into the organic material. Some cedars , yellow cedar , and redwood contain resinous oils that may harm worms, although western red cedar has excellent longevity in composting conditions. Hemlock is another inexpensive and fairly rot-resistant wood species that may be used to build worm bins. Bins need holes or mesh for aeration. Some people add

3304-689: The villages, led by trained members of the local community. The FTS is associated with the Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation , which is active in fundraising abroad. FTS operates Ekal Vidyalayas in Assam , Orissa , Bihar , Jharkhand , Madhya Pradesh , Chhattisgarh , Maharashtra and Karnataka , while its sister organization Bharat Lok Shiksha Parishad (BLSP) operates in Uttar Pradesh , Uttarakhand , Himachal Pradesh , Haryana , Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir . The schools (Ekal Vidyalyas) are led by

3363-420: The world a better place". Digital Learning, a magazine on education, described the non-formal education experiment by EVF in Jharkhand from 1986 to 1995–96 as "extraordinary", noting that literacy rate in Jharkhand doubled in this period, and diseases caused by unhygienic practices, witchcraft and alcoholism declined sharply. The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), a program for health care in rural India run by

3422-427: The worms do the sorting", "alternate containers" and "divide and dump." These differ on the amount of time and labor involved and whether the vermicomposter wants to save as many worms as possible from being trapped in the harvested compost. The pyramid method of harvesting worm compost is commonly used in small-scale vermicomposting, and is considered the simplest method for single layer bins. In this process, compost

3481-589: The younger brother of the 3rd Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Madhukar Dattatraya Deoras . The organisation was developed on Bhaurao's vision by a senior functionary of the RSS named Shyam Gupta. In the 1990s, global support networks were established. The Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of India was officially registered in 2000 and the EVF-USA was registered soon after. As of August 2020 , there were more than 102753 schools run by EVF, including 2,100 schools in

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