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The Atlanta Ekal Vidyalaya branch presented a dance and music-studded entertainment show at the Global Mall in Norcross, GA on December 2 to help children in rural and tribal regions in India.
Due to their unselfish devotion and dedication to the cause, attendees and volunteers were able to warmly welcome over 300 audience members from Georgia and adjacent states. This helped boost ticket sales.
Neetu Singh Chauhan, the GA Event Coordinator, emceed the program with passion and excitement after a great dinner at the Global Mall Impact Center.
Recently elected state senator Shawn Still and CGI Deputy Consul Madan Kumar Ghildiya attended the occasion. Pandit Joshi sang mantras while guests of honor Shiv Aggarwal, President of the Ekal Atlanta Chapter, Ajay Upadhyaya, and Kusum Khurana lit the lamp. Next, “Itni Shakti hamein dena data” was sung.
Kalashram’s fascinating Rajasthani Kathak
Anuraj Sharma ji, a student of Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj ji, opened the show. One of India’s classical dances was performed to showcase its culture and art.
Four famous Atlanta vocalists sang timeless songs. All India Radio’s outstanding singer Purnima Mathur delivered classic medleys including “Jaane Kya Baat Hai” and “Aaiye Meherbaan” Pankaj Bhargav, known as Atlanta’s Kishore Kumar, sang “Khilte Hain Gul Yahan,” “Chala Jata Hoon Kisi Ki,” and “Hawa ki Saath Saath” as well as a passionate Silsila duet, “Dekha ek khwab,” with Purnima.
Atlanta Indian Idol contestant Shyam Gupta took the stage after him and turned up the energy with an explosive attitude to match the songs by Rafi, including “Chhalka yeh Jaam,” “Badan pe sitare,” and “Deewana Hua Badal,” as well as a duet by Abhimaan, “Tere Mere Milan ki Yeh Raina” with Jyotsna. Jyotsna, a singer, composer, and producer, then performed “Mere Dholna Sun” and “Aaj jaane ki zid na karo” Ajay Upadhyay, the regional vice president of Ekal, sang “Neele Neele Ambar par”
After some one-liners from emcee Neetu Chauhan and a presentation on the non-profit Ekal Vidyalaya by Preeti Tanwar, who highlighted the one-teacher school model employed by Ekal in all of India’s states, from Kashmir to Kerala, for just $365 a year in sponsorship. Ekal gives 2 million youngsters in 122,000 schools access to literacy and life-enriching opportunities. In each Ekal school, 20–30 boys and girls obtain a basic education. The Ekal initiative has extended to include adult healthcare, social empowerment, and vocational training, transforming disadvantaged areas in India and Nepal. As part of Vanayatra, sponsors can visit an Ekal school or follow it on Facebook and Twitter.
Ekal has chapters in the US, Australia, Canada, Dubai, New Zealand, and the UK.
Three young volunteers asked trivia questions after Preeti’s lecture; winners received surprising gifts.
A few great crowd vocalists displayed Atlanta’s hidden brilliance. Atlanta idol Junior category winner Sripriya Srinivas sang “Beeti na Bitai Raina”
The KalashramUSA students’ Kathak group performance transported the audience to an imaginary Vrindavan.
After President Shiv Aggarwal’s emotional vote of thanks, Pankaj Bhargava, Shyam Gupta, Purnima Mathur, and Jyotsna Nanu performed a sequence of energetic, foot-tapping compositions that many audience members found irresistible and caused them to dance, receiving a huge ovation.
The initiative was a success since it helped 105 schools. Both volunteers and guests expressed a desire to serve and achieve more for the Atlanta Chapter of Ekal Vidyalaya.
Raksha raises nearly $50,000 at annual event
Raksha, Inc., the Atlanta-based nonprofit group that works to support the South Asian community, presented its annual event, Ek Shaam Raksha Ke Naam, on November 11 at the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell, Georgia.
This year’s theme was “Rooted, Resilient, Rising.” The event acknowledged Raksha’s essential work and honored community members who have supported its mission of a stronger and healthier South Asian community in diverse ways. The event was filled with gratitude for how the community stood up during the pandemic and helped Raksha provide more than $420,000 in client aid, with $290,000 in rental assistance alone. Ek Shaam Raksha Ke Naam raised almost $50,000 to support Raksha’s mission.
Raksha’s supporters, friends, relatives, sponsors, media, and dignitaries enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails while chatting after two years of virtual Ek Shaam activities.
Board President Nisha Kapil welcomed attendees and noted that the weather had cooperated to make the first in-person Ek Shaam Raksha Ke Naam since 2019 a reality. Nisha thanked community volunteers and a newly formed Raksha Youth Group for fundraising and painting healing message stones for those in attendance.
Board member Bhavya Chaudhary explained how the Chattahoochee Nature Center fit the evening’s theme. The community nourished Raksha’s roots so it could grow its branches and help clients.
Aparna Bhattacharyya praised the staff’s dedication to Raksha’s clients’ well-being. Anjali Guntur, Nisha Khan, and Fatima Wasim were honored for five years at Raksha. Considering volunteer and other time at Raksha, they’ve all worked there for over 5 years.
Tina Thapar introduced Wessex Hotels as the Ramesh and Vijaya Bakshi Community Change Award winner for its work with Raksha over the years. The hotel company conducted a volunteer lawyer training at the hotel and helped advocate for employment authorization documents for battered spouses holding H4 visas. Raksha clients have access to emergency and short-term housing, and the staff ensures culturally appropriate meals and goods.
This year, Wessex Hotels remodeled a few rooms for Raksha clients by installing kitchenettes to meet their demands. Wessex Hotels, which also connected Raksha with apartment owners to remove barriers to safe housing, was honored for ensuring that clients receive emergency, short-term, and long-term accommodation.
Manisha Lance presented the first Seeds of Change award to Sukanya Kar Bhowmik for her advocacy to help the Rohingya. Sukanya’s work with this impoverished population is exceptional; she’s devoted time and money to satisfying their needs. Sukanya has gone above and beyond to advocate for Raksha’s clients. As Sukanya spoke their language and understood their culture, she was relied upon to help Rohingya customers.
Aparna awarded the second Seeds of Change award to Suraiya Sharker for delivering domestic violence training and resources to Bengali, Burmese, Arab, and Vietnamese women in Clarkston. Suraiya has worked on reproductive justice issues and felt the need to integrate domestic violence training. After leaving NAPAWF, her impact was notably felt by the Bangla women she worked with, and she wanted to find a way to keep them active and address domestic violence needs in the neighborhood.
Many of the women she worked with required domestic violence support or resources. She contacted Raksha to offer Bengali women culturally competent resources to advocate for themselves and their families. Suraiya was honored for her efforts on reproductive justice and domestic violence in the community.
The 100th anniversary of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj is commemorated in Atlanta
Community leaders, devotees, and well-wishers met at BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn, Georgia, on November 19, 2022 to remember the life of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj, born in 1921, served as the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha for over 65 years until his death in 2016. His work inspired, nurtured, and motivated spirituality in hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.
The centenary celebration focused on Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s humility, worldwide love, and confidence in God. The presentation included talks, skits, and choreographed dance by BAPS children and teenagers. His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, BAPS president, gave video blessings, and community leaders paid tribute.
From those who have followed Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s example for decades to those who just recently learned his name, the guests were profoundly moved by his life, teachings, and activity. They were encouraged to carry his message by adopting humility, love, and faith.
This centennial commemoration was one of hundreds held in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia, culminating in a month-long, spectacular celebration in India in December. Millions of devotees and well-wishers from around the world were expected to attend.
Under Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s direction, BAPS created over 1,100 Hindu mandirs as centers of peace and worship worldwide. Pramukh Swami Maharaj visited over 250,000 households in more than 50 nations and replied to more than 760,000 letters, counseling individuals, assisting them through challenges, and inspiring them to live value-centric lives.
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Sewa International Atlanta Chapter raises more than $350,000 at annual banquet
Hotel 12 in Midtown Atlanta hosted Sewa International’s annual dinner on December 3. Organizers said that the $351,000 raised demonstrates the community’s faith in the nonprofit Hindu faith-based humanitarian service organization.
Sam Patel, CEO of Global Hotel Group, Sid Mookerjee, founder and managing partner of Silicon Road, and Srikanth Gundavarapu, president of Sewas Atlanta Chapter, presided over lighting the lamp.
Swati Kari, Jyothi Gundavarapu, Sravani Kari, and Anika Kopakka sang an invited prayer. Sam Patel praised the Sewa team for its achievements while requesting that the chapter leadership explore Sewa’s potential for even greater social impact.
Vivek Srivastav, chapter coordinator of Sewa Atlanta, offered a full outline of 2022 projects, including Family Services, the Sewa Senior Club, neighborhood blood drives, and sporting events. More than 250 youngsters were tutored at six Hispanic-focused, Section-8 housing buildings, he said, in a project funded by. AmeriCorps. Atlanta’s AmeriCorps program director and Sewa International’s program director, Satish Damle, provided more details.
Madhavi Gunasekaran, Sewa’s Disaster Recovery coordinator, updated the Native American and transgender communities on Sewa’s rescue efforts in Ukraine. Rachel Blythe represented the Native American community, and Olexandra Kostenk represented the Ukrainian community. Her personal stories and Sewa’s impact on their communities brought some in the audience to tears, exemplifying “Vasudhaika Kutumbakam” (The World is One Family).
Georgia Commissioner Alfred John and Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi attended. Both stressed the importance of Indian-Americans participating in politics and agreed that running for office and holding it are great ways to impact the community. Sid Mookerji, a wellknown investor, philanthropist, and venture capitalist, gave an inspiring keynote speech and vowed to assist Sewa International.
Sewa Atlanta needs more volunteers due to its rapid growth, said chapter president Srikanth Gundavarapu. He introduced the Atlanta Chapter’s new vice presidents: Dinesh Katoch, Rakesh Raheja, and Prakash Srivastava. He also thanked volunteers onstage. Srikanth Konda, founder of Sewa International USA, recently visited Atlanta and praised Sewa’s growth. Kavya Arora and Shyla Katoch chanted Hindu prayers before dinner. The Shanti Mantra and Bhojana Mantra were said for peace and thanking God for nourishment.
Several well-known people won accolades for their service. Raj Razdan earned the Lifetime Achievement Award for his service to Atlanta’s community and universities. The Sewa Karma Yogi Award for service went to Natali Barot, Meals for Kids award went to MD Alfred John, and Bhushan Mocherla won the Abhigyaan Prize for Community Impact. Krishnan Balasubramanian Kumud Sawla won the Sewa Samskritik.
Madhav Durbha and Shalini Jaitly kept attendees intrigued and on track. The audience was asked, “Who’s the smartest?” Shambhavi Katoch, 10, won the title.
Shyam Gupta and his team provided lighting and video to set the mood. Photography was by Kiran Mudigonda. Sareena Nagpal, Varnika Argampally, and Sonali Phopale performed a medley, and Anupama Krishnan, Raka Das, and Shyam Gupta sang Bollywood oldies.
FormFree raises $55,000 for the Red Cross at its third annual Heroes Golf Classic
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