BY DEVIKA C.MEHTA
ANAHEIM, CA - In a starry gala night at the Tandoori Garden restaurant here, Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal joined hands with Child Rights & You (CRY) America’s initiative ‘Pledge 2017’ to raise both money and awareness for the cause of children’s rights on June 4.An amount of nearly $60,000 was raised by the end of the evening.
ANAHEIM, CA - In a starry gala night at the Tandoori Garden restaurant here, Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal joined hands with Child Rights & You (CRY) America’s initiative ‘Pledge 2017’ to raise both money and awareness for the cause of children’s rights on June 4.An amount of nearly $60,000 was raised by the end of the evening.
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As per Percy Presswalla, Orange County Action Center Lead, “This year’s CRY dinners across Orange County, the Bay Area, New York, Seattle, and Houston are set to bring concerned people together for the objective of amplifying the voices of underprivileged children in India.” Welcoming guests and Bollywood celebrity Arjun Rampal, Artesia Mayor, Ali Sajjad Taj thanked the CRY team for giving him a wonderful opportunity of being part of the greater movement.
Giving the vision and mission of CRY America, Shefali Sunderlal, President, talked about how her organization has worked for the betterment of children in India from the US. She also gave an insight into her current projects and said, “Thousands of people in America are willing to help and support the cause of the underprivileged child in India. We believe that anyone and everyone can make a difference. Remember, you have the power to change children’s futures and your support allows us to ensure that thousands of children are able to go to sleep educated, healthy and protected.” Talking about her role and responsibility, Sunderlal added, “I find the work challenging and stimulating. I think the cause of child rights is the highest priority and CRY America is a platform to become a part of a bigger movement. Your participation in events like the CRY Gala Dinner Pledge 2017 is needed today, more than ever”
She also appealed for people to join CRY America as donors, volunteers, and supporters.
After her motivating speech, Sunderlal was felicitated by her co-workers for holding leadership positions at CRY India, America for 25 years and guiding the organization with a focus on brand building, fundraising, civic engagement, and grants.
Next, taking the stage was Rampal, who wowed the audience with his simplistic manners and down to earth sentiments.
Speaking about the cause, he said, “We all come from different fields and expertise, but one thing that connects all is experience, which in turn teaches us the value of opportunity. Today, we have gathered to develop and build that chance for those kids in India who need us. They are trafficked, prostituted and forced into child labor because of the unavailability of options. It is our duty to build a secure future for them and CRY gives us that opportunity.”
The actor also showed the trailer of his upcoming movie ‘DADDY’ and said “My character Arun Gawli was never given an opportunity. Therefore he snatched that chance and was called ‘Daddy’ later in his life because he decided to give it back to society. So, it is all about giving an opportunity to others.” Speaking to India Journal, Rampal remarked how “CRY has become that opportunity bridge for millions of underprivileged children in India and Indians around the world.”
He mentioned, “One can ignore society but not for long; when you take away from somebody, it comes back in a dangerous manner. Remember, ignorance will not take you anywhere.” Going down memory lane, he also shared his childhood memories of buying CRY cards for near and dear ones which played a part in his actively supporting their cause today.
Another speaker, Dr. Rolee Singh, Program Director of Shambhunath Singh Research Foundation (SRF), who joined through a skype call from India talked about raising awareness for the worthy cause.
She said, “India’s children continue to battle deprivation of their rights. CRY America works with grass-root projects, communities and local authorities to ensure children have a quality education, health care, and protection from issues which hinder their development.” The enjoyable evening included dinner, cocktails, stand-up comedian Mansi Mehra’s performance, Bollywood music-dance from another emcee Sitara Attaie and a live auction by the ‘Santa Claus’ of the evening Miguel Rodriguez of the Horrible Imaginings Film Festival fame. Auction items featured paintings by noted Indian artists, fashion ensembles by Ritu Kumar and Tarun Tahiliani, baseball signed by Barack Obama and a record album autographed by ‘The Beatles’.
Also, one of the big highlights of the evening was Rampal kissing the hands and cheeks of women who he urged to take part in the auction. Then he performed a Bollywood ‘ishtyle’ dance with Anna Fitter, CRY OC Community Engagement Lead.
Rampal will be attending CRY Gala Dinners in New York and Houston.
Notably, CRY with support from over 20,000 donors & 2,000 volunteers have transformed the lives of over 660,632 children in 3084 villages and slums so far. For more info. Visit: www.america.cry.org
Giving the vision and mission of CRY America, Shefali Sunderlal, President, talked about how her organization has worked for the betterment of children in India from the US. She also gave an insight into her current projects and said, “Thousands of people in America are willing to help and support the cause of the underprivileged child in India. We believe that anyone and everyone can make a difference. Remember, you have the power to change children’s futures and your support allows us to ensure that thousands of children are able to go to sleep educated, healthy and protected.” Talking about her role and responsibility, Sunderlal added, “I find the work challenging and stimulating. I think the cause of child rights is the highest priority and CRY America is a platform to become a part of a bigger movement. Your participation in events like the CRY Gala Dinner Pledge 2017 is needed today, more than ever”
She also appealed for people to join CRY America as donors, volunteers, and supporters.
After her motivating speech, Sunderlal was felicitated by her co-workers for holding leadership positions at CRY India, America for 25 years and guiding the organization with a focus on brand building, fundraising, civic engagement, and grants.
Next, taking the stage was Rampal, who wowed the audience with his simplistic manners and down to earth sentiments.
Speaking about the cause, he said, “We all come from different fields and expertise, but one thing that connects all is experience, which in turn teaches us the value of opportunity. Today, we have gathered to develop and build that chance for those kids in India who need us. They are trafficked, prostituted and forced into child labor because of the unavailability of options. It is our duty to build a secure future for them and CRY gives us that opportunity.”
The actor also showed the trailer of his upcoming movie ‘DADDY’ and said “My character Arun Gawli was never given an opportunity. Therefore he snatched that chance and was called ‘Daddy’ later in his life because he decided to give it back to society. So, it is all about giving an opportunity to others.” Speaking to India Journal, Rampal remarked how “CRY has become that opportunity bridge for millions of underprivileged children in India and Indians around the world.”
He mentioned, “One can ignore society but not for long; when you take away from somebody, it comes back in a dangerous manner. Remember, ignorance will not take you anywhere.” Going down memory lane, he also shared his childhood memories of buying CRY cards for near and dear ones which played a part in his actively supporting their cause today.
Another speaker, Dr. Rolee Singh, Program Director of Shambhunath Singh Research Foundation (SRF), who joined through a skype call from India talked about raising awareness for the worthy cause.
She said, “India’s children continue to battle deprivation of their rights. CRY America works with grass-root projects, communities and local authorities to ensure children have a quality education, health care, and protection from issues which hinder their development.” The enjoyable evening included dinner, cocktails, stand-up comedian Mansi Mehra’s performance, Bollywood music-dance from another emcee Sitara Attaie and a live auction by the ‘Santa Claus’ of the evening Miguel Rodriguez of the Horrible Imaginings Film Festival fame. Auction items featured paintings by noted Indian artists, fashion ensembles by Ritu Kumar and Tarun Tahiliani, baseball signed by Barack Obama and a record album autographed by ‘The Beatles’.
Also, one of the big highlights of the evening was Rampal kissing the hands and cheeks of women who he urged to take part in the auction. Then he performed a Bollywood ‘ishtyle’ dance with Anna Fitter, CRY OC Community Engagement Lead.
Rampal will be attending CRY Gala Dinners in New York and Houston.
Notably, CRY with support from over 20,000 donors & 2,000 volunteers have transformed the lives of over 660,632 children in 3084 villages and slums so far. For more info. Visit: www.america.cry.org
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