BY DEVIKA C. MEHTA
IRVINE, CA - Of the 26 million Indian children who enter first grade each year, half will reach fifth grade unable to read or write. Pratham USA is changing this. You can change it, too.’The thought was eagerly discussed and pledged at the 15th Pratham Los Angeles Gala, which saw keynote speaker Rahul Kapoor Jain and...
IRVINE, CA - Of the 26 million Indian children who enter first grade each year, half will reach fifth grade unable to read or write. Pratham USA is changing this. You can change it, too.’The thought was eagerly discussed and pledged at the 15th Pratham Los Angeles Gala, which saw keynote speaker Rahul Kapoor Jain and...
   |    |    |
celebrity guests Nargis Fakhri, Evelyn Sharma at Hotel Irvine on Sept 16. Due to incredible efforts and huge participation, the organization collected more than $2 million by the end of evening. Pratham LA President Raj Dhami took the stage and detailed about his organization’s mission.
The program was emceed by Pratham USA Board member Navneet Chugh.
Welcoming nearly 400 guests in the hotel’s grand ballroom, Chugh said, “Thanks to a host of factors, and good Government policies over the last 20 years, 97% of six- year- olds in India are in school, but the bad news is that over half of the students in 5th grade are reading and writing at 2nd grade level, and the good news is that Pratham India was able to assist 5.7 million kids with literacy and learning programs.’’ He also took out time to remember Pratham supporter Pravin Modi who passed away last year.
“Pravin and his wife Sudha generously donated one million dollars to Pratham to set up a mega campus for technical skills training in Ahmednagar, India. The campus, to be known as the Pratham Mody Technical Institute, will provide residential training in electrical, welding, construction and plumbing to 200 young adults at a time,” Chugh recalled.
Showing a short video of Pratham team working in India, he stated, “Established in 1995 to provide education to children in Mumbai slums, Pratham (which means “first” in Sanskrit) is now one of the largest and most successful non-governmental education organizations in India. It works in collaboration with governments, communities, parents, teachers and volunteers while focussing on innovative interventions to address gaps in the education system.” “The clarity of our mission—“every child in school and learning well”—drives our focus to make an impact on the lives of India’s children and extends from our leadership to our team in the field. Today we have taken out time from our busy schedules to bring change.”
Then, special guest speaker, Ernie Iseminger, Vice President for Advancement at Claremont Graduate University, praising Pratham mentioned, “This is one of the best organizations that I have worked with in my last 25 years of career spanning higher education advancement, senior administration trustees, and academic fundraising; but, Pratham’s work is simply brilliant and impacting.”
A recognition ceremony was also performed in between with Sudesh & Chitra Arora receiving the Visionary Donor Recognition and Manu & Rika Shah getting the Champion Donor Award for their excellent undertaking and immense contribution. Both families have committed millions of dollars in grants to Pratham. The Aroras led vocational training in India has provided 24,000 youth with job skills with many of them landing well paying jobs. The Shahs led digital learning has accelerated the imparting of education amongst the middle schoolers. Pratham has launched a new program Pradigi to employ the Shah’s led program. “Our contribution of $2 million led Google to donate $6 million to Pratham,” said Manu Shah in his remarks.
Thereupon, it was the turn of Keynote Speaker Rahul Kapoor Jain to engage with the audience and no doubt he created a rippling effect by sharing his motivational thoughts on life, care, charity and appreciation.
Telling stories and touching hearts, Jain narrated various stories from his experience that focused on the psychology of human beings and their far reaching consequences. He said, “Let us live with a vision and purpose to help others across the world to ignite their inner powers and achieve results that matter.”
Employing his signature style- a combination of high energy levels, a willingness to reinvent and an enviable presence of mind to impart difficult lessons in the most palatable manner, he brought tears in many eyes with his slow meditation talk , asking people to close their eyes and remembering the hard work and struggle of their parents.Telling stories and touching hearts, Jain narrated various stories from his experience that focused on the psychology of human beings and their far reaching consequences. He said, “Let us live with a vision and purpose to help others across the world to ignite their inner powers and achieve results that matter.”
Employing his signature style- a combination of high energy levels, a willingness to reinvent and an enviable presence of mind to impart difficult lessons in the most palatable manner, he brought tears in many eyes with his slow meditation talk , asking people to close their eyes and remembering the hard work and struggle of their parents.
Linking these struggles to those kids who don’t have any parents or means to complete their education, Jain asked guests to donate generously for the cause. Discussing about his association with Pratham in the first place, he elaborated his experience of visiting Mumbai slums in order to decide about hosting the great gala night.
Jain, who teaches at IIM Bangalore and is the founder and chief trainer at Kapoor’s Workshop on Effective Communication, also helped raise more than 2 million dollars during the pledge session with the help of beautiful and glamorous Nargis Fakhri and Evelyn Sharma who were also recognized at the event.
After a short video showcasing their achievements, both Fakhri and Sharma thanked the audience and applauded Pratham for being part of the bigger picture in so many lives.
Speaking to the audience, Fakhri said, “We all know education is the secret of success everywhere in the world. There are millions of children in India that need help with proper education so that their future and the future of the country is better. A lot of help is required more than what any organization or Government can do. One solution is to do nothing, second is to rely on the Government, third is for all four million Americans in the US to move to India and educate the 250 million kids, or the fourth and best solution is to do what you all are doing. Help with whatever you can. Every drop counts. On behalf of India and the kids of India, I salute you and thank you.”
Evelyn also added, “I am so happy and proud of what all you have done and are doing. I am proud to be Indian and thankful to Pratham for recognizing my efforts.”
Soon after it was the turn of the last speaker , Mangala Mehar, a graduate at Pratham Vocational Training Program, who confidently talked about her ordeals and predicaments she overcame with great help from Pratham. “I never thought about being independent, but today I earn nearly Rs 65000 per month and train 20 men under me. That is spiriting and encouraging. Thank you Pratham for giving me a lifetime opportunity!”
One other segment that garnered a lot of attention was the young children. A speech by sisters Lyra and Reva Bajaj, who cutely yet sincerely guided the audience into fundraising by detailing their efforts and savings. Interestingly both the girls have collected nearly $350 till date for Pratham and are still going strong.
The event ended with a delicious dinner accompanied by entertainment for guests.
The program was emceed by Pratham USA Board member Navneet Chugh.
Welcoming nearly 400 guests in the hotel’s grand ballroom, Chugh said, “Thanks to a host of factors, and good Government policies over the last 20 years, 97% of six- year- olds in India are in school, but the bad news is that over half of the students in 5th grade are reading and writing at 2nd grade level, and the good news is that Pratham India was able to assist 5.7 million kids with literacy and learning programs.’’ He also took out time to remember Pratham supporter Pravin Modi who passed away last year.
“Pravin and his wife Sudha generously donated one million dollars to Pratham to set up a mega campus for technical skills training in Ahmednagar, India. The campus, to be known as the Pratham Mody Technical Institute, will provide residential training in electrical, welding, construction and plumbing to 200 young adults at a time,” Chugh recalled.
Showing a short video of Pratham team working in India, he stated, “Established in 1995 to provide education to children in Mumbai slums, Pratham (which means “first” in Sanskrit) is now one of the largest and most successful non-governmental education organizations in India. It works in collaboration with governments, communities, parents, teachers and volunteers while focussing on innovative interventions to address gaps in the education system.” “The clarity of our mission—“every child in school and learning well”—drives our focus to make an impact on the lives of India’s children and extends from our leadership to our team in the field. Today we have taken out time from our busy schedules to bring change.”
Then, special guest speaker, Ernie Iseminger, Vice President for Advancement at Claremont Graduate University, praising Pratham mentioned, “This is one of the best organizations that I have worked with in my last 25 years of career spanning higher education advancement, senior administration trustees, and academic fundraising; but, Pratham’s work is simply brilliant and impacting.”
A recognition ceremony was also performed in between with Sudesh & Chitra Arora receiving the Visionary Donor Recognition and Manu & Rika Shah getting the Champion Donor Award for their excellent undertaking and immense contribution. Both families have committed millions of dollars in grants to Pratham. The Aroras led vocational training in India has provided 24,000 youth with job skills with many of them landing well paying jobs. The Shahs led digital learning has accelerated the imparting of education amongst the middle schoolers. Pratham has launched a new program Pradigi to employ the Shah’s led program. “Our contribution of $2 million led Google to donate $6 million to Pratham,” said Manu Shah in his remarks.
Thereupon, it was the turn of Keynote Speaker Rahul Kapoor Jain to engage with the audience and no doubt he created a rippling effect by sharing his motivational thoughts on life, care, charity and appreciation.
Telling stories and touching hearts, Jain narrated various stories from his experience that focused on the psychology of human beings and their far reaching consequences. He said, “Let us live with a vision and purpose to help others across the world to ignite their inner powers and achieve results that matter.”
Employing his signature style- a combination of high energy levels, a willingness to reinvent and an enviable presence of mind to impart difficult lessons in the most palatable manner, he brought tears in many eyes with his slow meditation talk , asking people to close their eyes and remembering the hard work and struggle of their parents.Telling stories and touching hearts, Jain narrated various stories from his experience that focused on the psychology of human beings and their far reaching consequences. He said, “Let us live with a vision and purpose to help others across the world to ignite their inner powers and achieve results that matter.”
Employing his signature style- a combination of high energy levels, a willingness to reinvent and an enviable presence of mind to impart difficult lessons in the most palatable manner, he brought tears in many eyes with his slow meditation talk , asking people to close their eyes and remembering the hard work and struggle of their parents.
Linking these struggles to those kids who don’t have any parents or means to complete their education, Jain asked guests to donate generously for the cause. Discussing about his association with Pratham in the first place, he elaborated his experience of visiting Mumbai slums in order to decide about hosting the great gala night.
Jain, who teaches at IIM Bangalore and is the founder and chief trainer at Kapoor’s Workshop on Effective Communication, also helped raise more than 2 million dollars during the pledge session with the help of beautiful and glamorous Nargis Fakhri and Evelyn Sharma who were also recognized at the event.
After a short video showcasing their achievements, both Fakhri and Sharma thanked the audience and applauded Pratham for being part of the bigger picture in so many lives.
Speaking to the audience, Fakhri said, “We all know education is the secret of success everywhere in the world. There are millions of children in India that need help with proper education so that their future and the future of the country is better. A lot of help is required more than what any organization or Government can do. One solution is to do nothing, second is to rely on the Government, third is for all four million Americans in the US to move to India and educate the 250 million kids, or the fourth and best solution is to do what you all are doing. Help with whatever you can. Every drop counts. On behalf of India and the kids of India, I salute you and thank you.”
Evelyn also added, “I am so happy and proud of what all you have done and are doing. I am proud to be Indian and thankful to Pratham for recognizing my efforts.”
Soon after it was the turn of the last speaker , Mangala Mehar, a graduate at Pratham Vocational Training Program, who confidently talked about her ordeals and predicaments she overcame with great help from Pratham. “I never thought about being independent, but today I earn nearly Rs 65000 per month and train 20 men under me. That is spiriting and encouraging. Thank you Pratham for giving me a lifetime opportunity!”
One other segment that garnered a lot of attention was the young children. A speech by sisters Lyra and Reva Bajaj, who cutely yet sincerely guided the audience into fundraising by detailing their efforts and savings. Interestingly both the girls have collected nearly $350 till date for Pratham and are still going strong.
The event ended with a delicious dinner accompanied by entertainment for guests.
RSS Feed
